All plastic packaging that is collected by FTI is sent to Svensk Plaståtervinning in Motala. It is already the most efficient facility, and Svensk Plaståtervinning is now building Site Zero, which will become the worlds biggest and most efficient facility for circular handling from households. At Svensk Plaståtervinning soft and hard plastic packages are fine-sorted in a high-tech process. Simplified, one can say that the soft plastic packaging is separated from the hard using fans that blows away the light soft plastic. The packaging is then sorted using infrared light, used to identify the different plastic materials. All different sort of plastic are separated from each other, in order to be recycled on its own in the following step. It is necessary in order to keep the quality and functions of the material, and makes it possible to recycle the plastic over and over again. After sorting and separating the differens plastic types are melted to small pellets, that are used to make new plastic products. Svensk Plaståtervinning drives and leads the development within circular plastic recycling.
Schools and students
If you are doing a school project on recycling, we’ve compiled some links and information for you here.
Recycling and climate gains
To achieve the Swedish government’s recycling targets, everyone needs to help – consumers, municipalities, companies and government agencies.
Sorting and materials
Sorting guide
Do you know how to sort the different types of packaging? Search in the Sorting Guide and read about the various materials.
Information about the materials we collect
Statistics
See how much packaging we collect and the percentage of packaging placed on the market by our producers that is recycled.
Laws and ordinances
The Swedish packaging recycling scheme is based on EU directives (regulations). The Swedish government has created ordinances (laws) that govern recycling in Sweden. They must be followed by consumers, companies and municipalities, as well as FTI.
Relevant legislation for recycling:
- All companies that place packaging on the Swedish market are responsible for ensuring that the packaging is collected for recycling. This is called “producer responsibility.”
- Companies are responsible for recycling the packaging they use for their own activities.
- FTI helps companies meet their obligations by collecting and recycling their packaging.
- Consumers have a legal obligation to sort and send their packaging for recycling.
Terms of reference for our operations
The Waste Management Ordinance (consumer responsibility) (in Swedish only)
The Environmental Code (governs the Waste Management Ordinance) (in Swedish only)
What Swedes think about recycling
The Recycling Barometer
Every year, we conduct a survey of Swedish sorting habits and views on recycling.
About FTI
Our mission is to collect household packaging and ensure that as much as possible is recycled.
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We are owned by four materials companies: Returkartong, Svensk Plaståtervinning, Metallkretsen and Svensk GlasÅtervinning
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We are not profit-driven and do not distribute profits to our owners
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We collect about 90 percent of all packaging collected in Sweden.
Easily accessible information to print
Brochure on recycling
In our brochure ”Från nytt till använt till nytt igen – Så funkar återvinning” you can read in a simple and concise way about what we at FTI do, how packaging recycling works and a little about its climate benefits. The brochure is available in a print-friendly format. It is in Swedish only.
Interviews and visits
Many people are interested in recycling. However, we are unable to grant interviews or arrange visits to our recycling facilities. That’s why we’ve created this page to help you with your school project.
Frequently asked questions
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It's transported to a paper mill for recycling. Paper can be recycled up to seven times before the fibers become too short. Then the paper waste is incinerated to generate energy. Information about the recycling process
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This is mainly because the Producer Responsibility Ordinance stipulates that a party that places packaging on the market is also responsible for ensuring that the packaging is collected and recycled. To make this work, politicians have to define what packaging includes, and define who is responsible for organizing and financing the collection. This is known as “producer responsibility” and all types of packaging are subject to producer responsibility requirements. Another reason is that different types of material are used for different types of products, even when the basic material (such as plastic or glass) is the same. If packaging materials are mixed with other products, the quality of the new raw material may be compromised. Glass packaging, for example, must not be mixed with any other type of glass. The type of glass used for window panes and beverage glasses has a different chemical composition from the glass used for glass packaging. If they are mixed, the quality of the new glass will be compromised.
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The extra transport required to sort and recycle waste is offset by the environmental benefits of recycling. In 2018, the environmental research and consultant Profu studied the climate gains generated by plastics collection and recycling via FTI. The results show that even though the recycled material is transported over long distances, using recycled plastic is still better for the climate than using oil to make new plastic products.
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Not all packaging is produced in a way that makes recycling possible. At FTI, we are constantly working to increase the proportion of recyclable packaging together with our affiliated producers. As a consumer, you don't have to think about what can be recycled today, development is moving forward quickly. The only thing you have to do is leave your packaging for recycling.