Greater recycling for a more resource-efficient society requires smart solutions for collecting and recycling materials. The Swedish region of Östergötland is where you’ll find several innovations in this field.
Companies and residents in the Östergötland region are working together to optimise waste management and make it as sustainable as possible. The system starts with the residents, who sort their waste at source, which separates different material types, including paper, plastic, glass, metal and organic waste. These fractions are then disposed of at the nearest waste disposal site, to which most homes, public spaces and workspaces have access, to increase the degree of sorted waste disposal. The separation of materials increases the rate of recycling, and Östergötland offers many solutions in this area, some of which are highlighted below.
Collection and separation of materials
Collection and separation of materials
San Sac AB is a company in Linköping that provides systems for collection and separation of recyclable materials. Target areas include waste disposal sites, public areas and workspaces. Their varied range of products allows customers to find the optimal sorting arrangement for their environment. Material separation is greater when the separation site is close to the source. Tailored solutions are therefore important for increased recycling.
Östergötland also provides solutions for recycling collected materials. Svensk Plaståtervinning, located in Motala, recycles plastics. It offers a nationwide system for collecting and recycling plastic packaging for all companies in Sweden with extended producer responsibility. This requires manufacturers and food producers to ensure their packaging is collected and recycled. Svensk Plaståtervinning has built Europe’s largest and most efficient plant for plastic recycling, marking a significant step towards its goal of recycling 100% of all plastic packaging in Sweden. The company aims to recycle 55% of all plastic packaging by 2025.
Swedish deposit system for metal cans and PET bottles
Several companies in the region specialise in recycling materials. In 1984, the company Returpack created the nationwide deposit system, which today includes metal cans and recyclable PET drinks bottles. The customer pays a small deposit fee when buying a drink in a metal can or PET bottle. Customers then get their deposit back when they recycle the cans and bottles in Returpack’s return machines, which can be found in most supermarkets, as well as places like cafés and sports clubs. The recycling plant in Norrköping receives all the returned cans and bottles, and uses the recycled material to make new cans and bottles. In 2018, Returpack received 2 billion cans and bottles for recycling, which is about 85% of all consumed metal drinks cans and PET bottles. Proof of the system’s efficiency and its contribution to a sustainable future!
The plants and the companies can be visited in Östergötland.
