Sweden is ready to ‘step up the refuse ladder’

Scandinavia – Sweden has been closing in on a 100% “recycling” rate over the last few years, though it still relies heavily on incinerating its waste. In fact, this represents about 50%. That’s why the country is eager to ‘step up the refuse ladder’, according to Weine Wiqvist, ceo of the Swedish Waste Management and Recycling Association. Innovative processes and projects that will help reach this goal will be at the centre of the Circular Materials Conference, held in Gothenburg on 7 and 8 March of next year.

Sweden opened the first incineration plant all the way back in 1904. Today, there are 32 such sites.

This network of incineration plants burned almost 2.5 million tonnes worth of end-of-life materials in 2015. Sweden has even become well known for importing waste from neighbouring countries to meet materials demand.

The event at Chalmers University next March will take a closer look at how to utilise new technologies and circular thinking to go from burning waste to mechanical recycling.

Global recycling experts will also elaborate on important developments such as collection schemes, trade trends, extended producer responsibility and design for recycling, amongst other things.

The anticipated event will bring together recyclers, clean-tech investors, politicians, manufacturers and other industry stakeholders from the Nordic region as well as Europe and beyond. All attendees will be able to follow-up on discussions during the networking dinner on 7 March.

Additionally, the programme includes a pre-conference visit to Stena Recycling on 6 March and a tour of Max IV Laboratories on 9 March. Registration for the conference starts in August.