Much of the household waste in Norway is already sorted at source today. But from January 1, 2023, food and plastic waste from all households will be sorted nationwide. Public and private companies and institutions that produce household-like waste and agricultural plastic also need to address this. This waste must be recycled or prepared for reuse.
- A large part of our waste is a resource that we can reuse. In 2035, we will process or prepare for recycling as much as 65 percent of our domestic waste. The same applies to similar waste from the business environment. For example, food waste can be turned into biogas and fertilizer. However, plastic can be reused, says Secretary of State Aleksander Øren Heen.
Increased recycling of plastic materials will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure better use of resources. The biological treatment of bio-waste, such as food and garden waste, helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also contributes to value creation by recycling nutrients, organic material and energy. For example, bio-waste can be turned into biogas, which in turn can be used as fuel.
A more circular economy of plastics implies more sustainable plastic products that are easier to sort, recycle and reuse.
There will also be requirements for sorting at source
It is estimated that the introduction of the new requirements means that the share of plastic household waste and similar industrial waste recycled will increase from 23%. in 2016 to 52 percent in 2035. In the case of bio-waste, such as food waste and garden waste, an increase is estimated from 47%. today up to 71 percent in 2035
There will also be requirements for source sorting and a sorting rate for municipalities. Already in 2035, the sorting rate must be 70%. for both plastic waste and food waste.
In addition to the new requirements for sorting plastics and bio-waste, changes were introduced in regulations regarding packaging waste, which will come into force immediately. Chapter 6 of the Regulation on beverage packaging return systems and Chapter 7 on packaging waste are currently being amended.
– By 2030, we will recycle 70 percent of all packaging materials. Plastic packaging constitutes a large part part of household waste. Now we will make sure that it will be new plastic instead of waste, says Secretary of State Alexander Øren Heen.
The changes to chapters 6 and 7 as well as a new chapter 10a will be coming soon on lovdata.no.
Source: regjeringen
Read and learn more: The first license for a solar power plant in Norway has been granted
