The right plastic in the right place should promote circularity

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency proposes measures for circular changeover following a mandate from the government under the working name “The right plastic in the right place”.

Currently, there is largely a lack of a framework to take circularity into account when designing products, for example requirements for repairability, long life and recyclability. In the government mission “The right plastic in the right place” included analyzing policy instruments to promote this transition. The analysis clearly shows that many of the policy instruments that would facilitate a circular transition should be introduced at EU level.

In the report, the Environmental Protection Agency proposes that the legislation around reusable mugs and lunch boxes be reviewed and that the government initiates an investigation into further governance to facilitate and promote a change in the construction sector.

“We propose that the legislation be reviewed and developed to increase the use of reusable cups and lunch boxes and reduce the use of disposable alternatives, while hopefully also making it easier for both consumers and operators,” writes the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in a press release.

The other area that the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency sees potential for improvement when it comes to recycling is in the construction sector.

“There we see a need for more control as the material flows are large and the environmental impact is high. We suggest that the government initiates an investigation into further governance to facilitate and promote the transformation of the construction sector. Such an investigation should take a comprehensive approach to the construction sector, from producers of construction materials and construction products to waste management, and include all types of materials,” they explain.