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Sweden

Two separate laws in Sweden regulate waste reduction and the recycling of beverage containers

SFS 1982 349
Law Summary set a mandatory recycling rate for aluminum cans, to reduce litter and solid waste.
Date Implemented 1984 (passed 1982); amended 1986 and 1994.
Containers Covered Aluminum cans
Beverages Covered All beverages in aluminum cans
Refundable Deposits
  • Aluminum cans: U.S. 7¢ (voluntary)
  • One-way PET: U.S. 14¢ -24¢ (voluntary)
  • Refillable PET: U.S. 56¢ (voluntary)

SFS 1993 1154
Law Summary Producer responsibility law for glass and cardboard packaging
Date Implemented January 1994
Containers Covered One-way glass containers
Beverages Covered Beverages in one-way glass containers
Refundable Deposits Unknown

Both Laws

Program Success Containers are recovered at the following rates:
  • One way PET: 40%
  • Refillable PET: 75%
  • One-way glass: 45%
  • Aluminum cans: 91% (Sweden has the highest return rate for aluminum cans of any country in the world.)
Refillables comprise the following portions of the following markets:
  • Beer and Soft Drinks: 38%
  • Wine and Liquor: 50%
  • Refillable PET: 60%
Trippage rate:
  • Glass 20 – 30 trips
  • Refillable PET 10 trips

Details

SFS 1982 349 required that aluminum cans be recycled at a rate of 90% or face a ban. The response by industry was to implement a voluntary deposit system for aluminum cans. In 1994, the government required that the minimum recycling rate for aluminum cans be raised to 90% and PET be 90%. Since, Sweden has achieved a 91% recycling rate for aluminum cans, the hightest in the world.

The refillables system enjoys increased efficiency since most 33 cl. refillables in Sweden are of a uniform shape and size so that they do not require sorting by brand. This standardized system was devised by the brewers and bottlers.

Updated February 14, 2008