Certification

First in Europe: Swedish Plastic Recycling’s sorting facility certified

2025-11-05 1:31 min Europe, Sorting and collection

Swedish Plastic Recycling Motala, Sweden

Swedish Plastic Recycling (Svensk Plaståtervinning) is making a historic move for the entire plastic recycling industry. As the first sorting facility in Europe, Site Zero has received certification under RecyClass’s newly launched Sorting Process Certification. The audit, conducted by the RecyClass Recognised Certification Body Ecogrant, confirms that the company’s traceability meets the mandatory requirements for the mechanical recycling of plastics into new food-contact materials.

The certification verifies the origin of the waste as being sourced from municipal and separately collected waste, in line with Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No. 2022/1616. This regulation sets the requirements for the use of recycled plastics in food-contact materials.

With this RecyClass Certificate, Swedish Plastic Recycling becomes the first sorter on the European market which meets the requirements for sorting processes under this Regulation.

Demand for materials used in food contact will gradually increase, not least due to the EU’s PPWR – the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which sets targets as from 2030.

”Being the first in Europe to receive this certification shows that we already have excellent order and the traceability that will be required under PPWR. This is crucial, especially for materials that come into contact with food”, says Mattias Philipsson, CEO of Swedish Plastic Recycling.

Swedish Plastic Recycling currently sorts PET bottles, PET trays and PS packaging that can be recycled into approved food contact materials. Within the research project CRISP, the potential for other plastic types such as PE and PP to be recycled and used in the same way is also being explored.

Leading in traceability since 2018

Swedish Plastic Recycling has long been a pioneer in traceability. Since 2018, the company has pushed for a requirement that all plastic recyclers must be able to show by whom, where and how the material is handled – both before and after sorting. The company has implemented its own traceability policy and has voluntarily undergone annual audits by an independent reviewer to ensure compliance.

”We believe that recycling should be carried out under full control. Otherwise, there is a risk that the plastic will be handled incorrectly or end up in the wrong hands. The fact that there is now a European certification for sorting facilities creates credibility, transparency and industrialisation of plastic recycling throughout the EU”, continues Mattias Philipsson.

The new RecyClass Sorting Process Certification is addressed to sorting centres and waste traders, and it sets a common European benchmark that all serious players can strive for.

www.svenskplastatervinning.se

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First in Europe: Swedish Plastic Recycling’s sorting facility certified

Leading in traceability since 2018

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