Site Zero in Motala will be Sweden’s largest sorting facility for plastics when it is ready (first stage in 2023). The facility has the capacity to receive all plastic packaging from Swedish households and will be able to recycling next to all plastics.
The new facility has a capacity that is three times greater than the old one, which means that it can receive 200,000 tons of plastic packaging per year. The project has been financed with EU funds with partial financing from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, a total of SEK 1 billion.
Groundbreaking technology for sorting and recycling
Site Zero uses cutting-edge technology to sort the plastic. Among other things, the facility uses NIR (Near Infra Red) sensors to identify different types of plastic. This means that basically all plastic can be recycled, even packaging made from several different plastic materials.
Climate neutral
Site Zero is also climate neutral. The facility is powered by renewable energy from solar cells and the small amount of plastic and other waste that cannot be recycled will be sent for energy extraction without climate emissions. The opening of Site Zero is an important step in reducing plastic waste in Sweden. The facility will contribute to increasing the recycling rate of plastic and thus reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
EU Parliament Adopts New Rules to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Packaging
This week the European Parliament has adopted new rules aimed at reducing, reusing, and recycling packaging waste. The new measures include:
- Overall packaging reduction targets: 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040.
- Specific targets for plastic packaging: 10% by 2030, 15% by 2035, and 20% by 2040.
- A ban on the sale of very lightweight plastic carrier bags (below 15 microns).
- Heavy restrictions on the use of certain single-use packaging formats.
- A ban on the use of “forever chemicals” and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging.
- Clarification of the requirements for packaging to be reused or refilled.
- A requirement that all packaging be recyclable.
- A target of 90% separate collection of packaging materials by 2029.
The new rules are a step in the right direction towards reducing packaging waste and protecting the environment.
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