Sweden's packaging recycling implements the "producer responsibility system"

Some Swedish companies have an "extra" burden, which is that the packaging companies are also responsible for the recycling of packaging. However, it is this "producer responsibility system" for packaging recycling that maximizes recycling of waste packaging in Sweden.

In 1994, the Swedish parliament formally established the “producer responsibility system” for the recycling of waste. Its strategic goal is to build a recycling society that “turns today’s waste into something that can use new resources”. The Swedish law stipulates that all companies that produce, import packaging and packaging products, and sell packaging products have the obligation to recycle the packaging.

Since most companies do not have the ability to establish a recycling system nationwide, the Swedish industrial and commercial associations and some large packaging companies have coordinated and established four specialized packaging recycling companies in 1994 to help companies fulfill “producers”. Obligations. Swedish paper and board recycling companies, plastic recycling companies, corrugated board recycling companies and metal recycling companies came into being. Together with the Swedish glass recycling company that was established earlier, the five major companies have undertaken the Swedish national recycling of packaging materials.

In addition to the Swedish Glass Recycling Company, the remaining four companies also jointly formed REPA as a service provider for their businesses. By participating in the REPA and paying back the fees, the company can allow the REPA to fulfill its obligations under the "producer responsibility system." It is worth mentioning that Sweden's five largest recycling companies do not aim for profit. The sales revenues paid back by member companies and recycled for recycling are used to establish and maintain a complete classification and recovery system and to carry out recycling knowledge throughout the country. Promotion and other activities.

Companies that fulfill their obligations under the "producer responsibility system" through REPA must first pay a turnover of 400 kroons (US$1 or 7 kroons) or 1,500 kroons for a REPA entry fee and an annual fee of 500 kroons, according to their own packaging. The type and quantity are paid back. In order to increase the burden on SMEs, small businesses with an annual turnover of 500,000 kroons may be exempt from paying back fees.

Companies that join the REPA can use the “green dot sign” on the packaging, which is also used by other countries in Europe that implement the “package back charge” system. In this way, both the consumer and the seller in the product chain can know at a glance whether a package has entered the recycling system. Companies that do not participate in the REPA may also apply to the Swedish National Environmental Protection Agency for a separate "Green Point Mark." At present, only a handful of large companies such as Volvo and McDonald's are not REPA members in Sweden.

Since implementing the “producer responsibility system”, Sweden has achieved remarkable results in the recycling of packaging. When the "producer responsibility system" was introduced in 1994, only 250,000 tons of packaging was recycled and reused. According to the latest assessment report of the Swedish National Environmental Protection Agency, the average recycling rate of all kinds of packaging materials in 2002 reached 65%, exceeding 660,000 tons. This means that a large number of waste packagings that were previously incinerated and landfilled are now being reused. As a result of this, the burden on the environment has been reduced and energy consumption has been reduced. In addition, the implementation of the “producer responsibility system” has also promoted the birth of a number of new waste packaging recycling companies. Today, Sweden even needs to import about 145,000 tons of packaging waste each year to meet the production needs of these companies.

The success of packaging recycling recycling has led Sweden to extend the “producer responsibility system” to more fields such as waste paper, waste tires, waste cars, waste electrical and electronic products, agricultural plastics, and used batteries. "Who produces and who is responsible", the perfect system not only brought Sweden more "green", but also created a huge wealth.