Sweden must double plastic collection to meet EU recycling goals

Swedish municipalities currently collect an average of 11.6 kg of plastic packaging per resident each year, which is far short of the amount required to meet the European Union’s recycling targets. A report by Näringslivets Producentansvar calls for the collection to be doubled. In Dalarna, smaller towns and rural municipalities already achieve a higher average of 12.7 kg per person, while larger cities collect only about 9.4 kg. The report highlights that only 45 % of households had access to near‑home (fast‑track) recycling facilities at the end of 2025/2026. To raise both the quantity and quality of collected material, the study recommends expanding fast‑track collection, improving information for residents, and strengthening cooperation among municipalities, producers, property owners and citizens.