Norway Risks Falling Behind in the Recycling Boom

Recuro believes that the user of a resource should pay for its recycling. A producer responsibility scheme would ensure that producers incorporate the cost of material recycling into the product price paid by the user.

"We are not asking the government for money. We are asking the government to ensure a regulatory framework that makes the user pay for the cost of using resources. This includes recycling, so the resources can be used multiple times," Jakobsen explains.

This was also Jakobsen's main message during this year's Plastics and Composites Conference, organized by NCMT, Norwegian Polymers and Composites Cluster. The conference, which gathered 130 participants from the plastics and composites industry in Ålesund, was held last week.

‍Norway is falling behind

At the conference, Recuro presented its technology for chemical recycling of plastics that are currently sent to incineration. The company also shared its thoughts on the progress in Norway in terms of material recycling and the challenges that the authorities need to address.

"We are far too behind when it comes to recycling in Norway," said Jakobsen, referring to the EU goal of 55%, and Norwegian goal of 52% plastic recycling by 2030. According to figures from Grønt Punkt Norge, approximately 30% of plastic packaging is recycled today.

"With the technology we are developing today, it is entirely possible to increase the recycling rate and meet these targets, but the authorities need to be on board. We are not asking for money, but for extended producer responsibility schemes that ensure the user pays for recycling. This is completely natural," Jakobsen said.

In Sweden, the producer responsibility scheme is up to 17 kroner per ton of plastic. In Norway, it's around 3 kroner per ton. It is quite clear which country will excel in recycling.

"An extended producer responsibility scheme would also provide municipalities with more resources for collection and sorting, while also contributing to the development of recycling technology," Jakobsen emphasized.‍

Lack incentives for recycled materials

The second challenge Jakobsen believes the authorities must address is the lack of requirements for incorporating recycled material into new products.

"There are no existing requirements for the use of recycled material in plastic products today, which means there are few incentives to use recycled plastic," he said.

He pointed to similar requirements in other industries, such as blending renewable fuels, and argued that comparable regulations for the plastics industry would stimulate investment in recycling technology and create a market for recycled plastics.

Important meeting place

Jakobsen also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of collaboration and the need for various solutions to achieve recycling goals.

"There is broad agreement that we need a combination of mechanical and chemical recycling to succeed. That’s why Recuro is actively working with actors in the waste industry to qualify raw materials that don’t compete with mechanical recycling. Clusters like NCMT and arenas like the Plastics and Composites Conference are important meeting places to ensure dialogue and collaboration within the industry," Jakobsen concluded.

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