Agenda

• Welcome and introduction – NCE

• Status from the European Commission and revision of the Waste Framework Directive

• Presentation on experiences from operating a central sorting plant in Norway (IVAR) 

• Presentation on experiences from establishing a central sorting plant in a Danish municipality

• Plenary discussions about attitudes and views on automatic waste sorting and achieving material recovery rates in the Nordic countries

Photo:
unsplash.com

Photo: unsplash.com

Purpose of the workshop

Exchange knowledge about status and experiences regarding automatic waste sorting systems, advantages and challenges in the Nordic countries and establish contact between experts.

General outcome

The workshop provided an overview over the situation in the different countries, the challenges they are facing, and the different approaches to reaching EU and national goals. The participants agreed upon establishing an e-mail list to enable networking. They will consider a follow-up meeting next year to provide an update on developments.

Key outcomes

• The Nordic countries are all facing challenges to meet the targets for reuse and recycling set out in the WFD.

• Approaches to meet the targets differ between countries depending on the national context and framework conditions such as population density, settlement patterns and linkages to energy supply systems.

• Countries with existing automatic sorting facilities for residual waste plan to establish additional facilities due to proven, positive effects (Sweden, Norway). Thorough studies in Denmark including various aspects, including costs and anticipated greenhouse gas emission reductions, demonstrate the value these solutions can have. Other countries, i.a. Finland, do not necessarily share this opinion. There may be a need for more shared knowledge and comparable, fact-based information about possible flaws and benefits of these solutions to guard decision making and strategy processes in the Nordic countries.

• There is a need for more information about the quality of recycled materials from automatic waste sorting systems, i.a. in connection with establishing viable value chains.

• No one solution fits all since framework conditions differ between countries, within countries and between regions. Therefore, regarding future work in the EU, it could be advantageous to focus more on the outcomes in terms of recycling rates and quality than how to get there.

• There is a need to strengthen the connection between product design, EPR schemes and waste sorting systems, including discussions on how to ensure fair and viable concepts for sharing costs between the parties involved.