Recycling Guide.

NPA - Näringslivets Producentansvar

Näringslivets Producentansvar (NPA) is a producer responsibility organization that assists producers of packaging in fulfilling their producer responsibility. Their goal is to increase recycling throughout the chain and contribute to the journey towards a more circular society.

The company is owned by industry organizations such as the Dagligvaruleverantörers Förbund (DLF), Svensk Dagligvaruhandel, Sveriges Bryggerier, and Sprit & Vinleverantörsföreningen (SVL). The operation is conducted on a non-profit basis, with no financial distribution to the owners.

Paper Packaging

The definition of a paper packaging is a product that consists of minimum 50% of paper fiber. In 2017, just over half a million tonnes of paper packaging were submitted for recycling. The material that is recycled can be used as a raw material for creating new products. Recycled paper is mainly used in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard, packaging board, newsprint and hygiene paper. Pulp and paper production from recycled materials requires only one-third of the energy required for new paper production. A paper fiber can be recycled up to seven times.

From 2020, 85% of all paper packaging should be recycled. To achieve this goal, both consumers and companies need to improve their recycling. Companies can both review their own recycling, but also encourage consumers and customers to recover material through information or with good waste management. 

In Paper packaging, you can leave:

• Cartons
• Paper bags
• Corrugated cardboard boxes

Plastic Packaging

Plastic is a collective name for a large group of materials based on different polymers. The most common types of plastic used for packaging products are LDPE, HDPE, PP, PET and PS. The recycling of plastics and the use of recycled plastics in products is a strong upgoing trend throughout Europe. Plastic can be recycled up to seven times before the plastic molecule is completely degraded.

There are several advantages with recycling plastic. By recycling plastic packaging, new materials can be created from the materials that can be used to create new products, for example carrying bags, garbage bags, plastic furniture etc. One kilogram of recycled plastic reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 2 kg, compared to the production of new plastic.

According to regeringsförordningen (2014: 1073), 50% of all plastic packaging on the market should be recycled in 2020. To achieve this goal, your company should first and foremost make sure that you recycle the plastic packaging that you use in your business today. We also recommend that you encourage and inform your customers about recycling.

For a long time - soft and hard plastic were seperated and sent the soft plastic was directly sent for combustion. Nowadays, soft plastic is also recycled. For plastic recycling you can sort the following products:

• Soft plastic products such as LDPE or HDPE (eg carrier bags, stretch film and bubble film / blown film)
• Hard plastic packaging made of hard polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP). Examples of this are plastic containers, plastic packaging, buckets, bottles, etc.
• Soft plastic packaging (eg styrofoam, plastic tape, laminate)

When you submit plastic for recycling, the materials that can be recycled will be recycled. The remaining material is destroyed by burning and becomes energy.

Metal Packaging

Aluminum products such as Aluminum containers and aluminum foil are recycled as metal packaging.

Sometimes plastic bags have a foil of metal on the inside. It can make it difficult to determine which material the product consists of. One tip is to crunch it. If it unfolds, it is most plastic. If it stays crunched, it is mostly made of metal.