This is a guideline for plastic sorting at recycling centres. The aim is to give assistance to the choices made by the management of recycling centres in order to collect plastic of better quality and in greater quantities. In the guideline, the potential plastic categories are listed and described, also with respect to potential content of hazardous substances. Issues to take into account when choosing how to organise the collection of plastic at the recycling centre are described. A separate chapter looks at how the public could be assisted with the sorting of plastics at the recycling centres.

The guideline is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” - read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

This report is a background report for the "Guideline for plastic sorting at recycling centres". The background report describes the methodology used in preparing the guideline, including information from existing systems and the stakeholders that can be used by the recycling centres in their decision process. The report describes the importance of communicating with purchasers about the expected purity and traceability of the plastic further down the value chain.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” – read also more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org

This project identifies improvements in plastics recycling from Nordic electronic waste. Limited improvement is possible through modest changes in the existing value chain, such as ensuring that wastes are directed as intended. But for the most part, enhanced plastics recycling implies higher costs. The necessary changes could be driven in part through revised policy and regulatory instruments. These changes might, in turn, encourage more positive engagement from electronics producers.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth”. Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

The purpose of this guide is to inform and assist different stakeholders in the Nordic region to enhance the recycling of plastic materials from WEEE – Waste Electrical and Electronic Waste. It presents recommendations to various parties: consumers, authorities and policy-makers, recyclers and waste operators, as well as electronics producers.The guide was compiled as part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ initiative, The Nordic Region – leading in green growth. Read more at www.norden.org/greengrowth or in the web magazine Green Growth the Nordic Way at www.nordicway.org

This policy brief on recycling of WEEE, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative, The Nordic Region – leading in green growth. Read more about the initiative in the web magazine Green Growth the Nordic Way at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

This project identifies thousands of tonnes per annum of potential enhanced plastics recycling from Nordic electronic waste. Plastics recycling does not always feature prominently in waste treatment. Recycling is technologically viable although the market and economic landscape is challenging. Easy export markets for waste plastic are largely closed and near-source treatment is increasingly needed. Concerns include issues of quality and worries about hazardous materials. Positively engaging electronics producers - beyond the bare punitive requirements within extended responsibility schemes – is a crucial driver for further developments.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth”. Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth The report for Part 2 will be published in December 2014.

Marine litter is a growing environmental problem where especially plastic material is accumulated in the seas where it will fragment to smaller pieces. The purpose of the presented pilot study is to raise awareness amongst officials at municipalities and authorities about the need to reduce the presence of litter in the marine environment and to give ideas/suggestions on how this can be done. The project has therefore developed a “Plug the Marine Litter Tap”-approach, which together with local knowledge and experience, can be used to identify sources of marine debris by using existing statistics. Södertälje is used as a pilot area where we give examples on indicators for marine litter in the urban environment and proposed measures for each indicator. We hope that this will encourage municipalities to reflect on how preventive measures against marine litter can be incorporated in local waste management plans and become part of their regular routine.

The purpose of the report is to clarify the legal possibilities of restricting export of certain types of used EEE due to e.g. content of hazardous substances, energy consumption and/or limited market value.

The focus is current environmental regulation and trade regulation which have been evaluated in order to identify if they can serve as the legal basis for setting restrictions on export.

The analysis concentrates on the legal framework of trade within the rules of the internal market in the EU and the legal concept of the WTO that regulates trade between countries worldwide.

The report concludes that waste regulation has very limited possibilities in regards to restricting export of used EEE. In regards to trade restrictions, it cannot be ruled out that such restrictions can be adopted in accordance with the rules of the internal market in the EU and the legal concept of WTO.

Tests of plastic packaging in Finland and Norway exposed products that are lost in the sorting process and are not recycled. Products that proved challenging to sort or recycle were then presented to their producers. To assist producers in making favourable decisions, fact sheets with design guidelines were developed for common plastics, HDPE, PP, LDPE and bio-based and biodegradable plastics, to highlight which design choices best help improve recyclability. These also include Norway-specific information on the downstream value chain for plastics. Producers have shown a willingness to improve their products to increase the level of recyclability. These developments show how higher recycling rates of plastic packaging can be achieved by supporting Nordic producers in implementing design for recyclability principles when designing their packaging.

This policy brief on Nordic textile reuse and recycling is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ overall green growth initiative, The Nordic Region – leading in green growth. Read more in the web magazine Green Growth the Nordic Way at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

Á sleipistøðum, har arbeitt verður við at umvæla smáar bátar og halda teir viðlíka, verða nýtt evni, ið eru skaðilig fyri umhvørvið. Vandamikið burturkast stendst av virkseminum, og tað kann henda, at evni, ið hava skaðilig árin á umhvørvið, verða latin út í náttúruna. Verkætlanin hevur kannað rakstrarhættir, umhvørvismedvit, vitan og hugburð í Norður-Noregi, Álandi og Føroyum. Har komu ikki fram týðandi munir á teimum trimum økjunum, og úrslitini verða mett at umboða hesa vinnu í Norðurlondum. Til eru bæði góð og vánalig dømi, men sum heild eru stórir møguleikar fyri at bøta um støðuna. Niðurstøðan er, at ynski eru frammi um ein rakstur, ið er betri fyri umhvørvið, men at tey bert í lítlan mun hava við sær ítøkilig tiltøk og ábøtur. Kunnleikin til lógir og reglur og til eginleikarnar hjá evnunum, ið verða nýtt, er ikki nøktandi. Mannagongdir, ið kunnu avmarka útlát, eru so at siga ongar, meðan mannagongdir í sambandi við handfaring av burturkasti eru sera ymiskar. Bæði eigararnir á fyritøkunum og myndugleikarnir kunnu gera sítt til at hækka støðið í vinnuni. Tørvur er á einfaldari upplýsing um reglugerðir. Tað er ynskiligt, at sleipistøðir, smáar og stórar, og stórir bátahyljar samstarva um at økja um kunnleikan og at finna praktiskar loysnir. At fingið eina einfalda góðkenningarskipan í lag kundi eisini gjørt sítt til at minka um skaðiliga árinið á umhvørvið. Tað, sum hevur størstan týdning, er, at sleipistøðirnar fáa útgerð til at savna føst evni, sum annars verða skolað á sjógv, og til at reinsa vatnið, tá ið spulað hevur verið, og at tær skilja og handfara burturkastið á rættan hátt.

Á litlum slippstöðvum, sem annast viðhald og viðgerðir á smábátum, eru notuð mengandi efni sem mynda hættulegan úrgang og geta losað mengandi efni út í umhverfið. Verkefnið kortlagði rekstrarhætti, umhverfisvitund, þekkingu og viðhorf í Norður-Noregi, á Álandseyjum og í Færeyjum. Enginn áberandi munur var á milli þessara svæða og því má ætla að niðurstöðurnar eigi einnig við um slíka starfsemi annars staðar á Norðurlöndum. Þar voru viðhafðir í senn góðir starfshættir og annað sem mætti betur fara en almennt virtust góðar forsendur til úrbóta. Menn létu almennt í ljós óskir um umhverfisvænni rekstrarhætti en minna er um að því sé fylgt eftir. Víða skorti þekkingu á lögum og reglugerðum og eiginleikum þeirra efna sem notuð eru. Starfshættir sem takmarka losun tíðkast nánast ekki og afar mismunandi er staðið að meðhöndlun úrgangs. Eigendur slippstöðva og stjórnvöld geta stuðlað að bættu ástandi í atvinnugreininni. Þörf er á auðskiljanlegum upplýsingum um lög og reglur. Þá er æskilegt að auka fræðslu og koma á samstarfi stærri þjónustuhafna, slippstöðva og lítilla slippa um raunhæfar úrlausnir. Einföld vottunarkerfi geta einnig orðið hvatning til að draga úr mengun. Mestu máli skiptir að litlu slippstöðvarnar komi sér upp söfnunarkerfi fyrir fastan úrgang, fyrir flokkun og meðhöndlun úrgangs og hreinsun frárennslis.

Småvarv som sysslar med underhåll och reparation av småbåtar använder miljöfarliga ämnen, genererar farligt avfall och kan släppa ut miljöskadliga ämnen. Projektet har kartlagt driftsmodeller, miljömedvetenhet, kunskaper och attityder i Nordnorge, på Åland och på Färöarna. Inga väsentliga skillnader upptäcktes mellan de tre regionerna och resultaten kan anses vara representativa för branschen i Norden. Det finns både goda och dåliga exempel, men generellt är förbättringspotentialen stor. Slutsatsen är att det finns en vilja att driva miljövänlig verksamhet, men detta leder i liten grad till praktiska handlingar och förbättringar. Kunskaperna om lagar och regler och om egenskaper hos produkterna som används är bristfälliga. Det finns i stort sett inga rutiner för utsläppsbegränsning, medan rutinerna för avfallshantering är mycket varierande. Både verksamhetsägare och myndigheter kan bidra till att höja standarden inom branschen. Det finns behov av lättfattlig information om regelverket. Ökat informationsutbyte och samarbete mellan större servicehamnar/varv och småvarv om praktiska lösningar är önskvärt. Etablering av enkla certifieringsordningar kan också bidra till att reducera miljöpåverkan. Viktigast är att småvarven inför uppsamlingssystem för fasta ämnen, för sortering och hantering av avfall och för rening av spolvatten.

Forests play a key role in the global climate system. The Nordic countries have extensive forests with large and growing tree biomass that captures substantial amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Nordic forests are also important for biodiversity, with complex ecosystems providing habitats for about half of all known native species and threatened species in Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Forests also supply the basis for the economically important forest sector. In this report we review current knowledge on the role of old forests in the carbon cycle, their natural dynamics and importance for biodiversity. Based on evidence in the literature, it is clear that old forests continue to accumulate carbon for a long time, well past the normal logging age. The carbon uptake of old forests represents an important co-benefit for the well-documented value of old forests for biodiversity.

“The Nordic textile re-use and recycling commitment” certification aims to decrease the environmental impact of textile consumption and to strengthen the competitiveness of the Nordic region by increasing re-use and recycling of textile waste generated in the Nordic countries. The certification system is voluntary, and ensures sustainable and transparent handling of used textiles.

The certification system assures that certified organizations follow strict criteria on traceability and environmental performance when collecting and handling textiles. The collected textiles will be re-used and recycled in accordance with the waste hierarchy, and all operations are reviewed by an independent third party.

There are two types of certification. The first is for collection of textiles aimed for re-use only, and the second for collection of textiles for re-use and textile waste for recycling.

The first report from the project “Improvements in existing collection and recycling systems for plastic waste from households and other municipal waste sources” is focused on describing the existing situation when it comes to collection and recycling of plastic waste in the Nordic countries. The streams covered are (all from both households and other MSW sources):

• Plastic packaging waste.

• Non-packaging small plastic waste.

• Plastic bulky waste.

Similarities and differences among the Nordic countries are presented in the report. The findings provide input into the development of suggestions for improvements. The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth.” Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

The report for Part 2 will be published in December 2014.

Future solutions for Nordic plastic recycling contains suggestions on how to collect and recycle more of the generated plastic waste from households and other MSW sources in the Nordic region. The solutions suggested are focused on providing higher availability to collection systems, to focus less on packaging and more on plastic, to have flexible sorting and recycling systems,and to pave the way for a well-functioning, transparent market for recycled plastics that absorbs the collected material. More extensive Nordic cooperation, both on a basis of knowledge exchange and on a practical level, is believed to favour Nordic plastic collection and recycling.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth”. Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

The aim of the guidelines is to inspire, inform and give recommendations on how plastic packaging waste from households can be collected, and how different aspects concerning collection of plastic packaging can be taken into account without recommending a certain collection system in front of another. The aspects considered are: collected amounts, quality of the collected amounts, economic aspects, environmental impact, service level and communication, and flexibility. The guidelines are presented in a separate document and based on Nordic experience. The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth”. Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

This working paper contains background information to the guideline "Increased Collection of plastic packaging waste from households". More facts about the existing collection systems for plastic packaging waste from households used in the Nordic countries is found as well as information about the aspects considered in the guidelines. The actual guidelines are presented in a separate document.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth”. Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

Achieving a high quality of waste plastic materials and recycling processes is a key challenge in closing the resource loops for plastics. This report reviews the status and trends for plastic waste flows and treatment in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Furthermore, it gives an overview of existing policy instruments and the main challenges for designing policy instruments for improved recycling of plastic waste in these Nordic countries. The report identifies potential market failures associated with closing the resource loops for plastics. It reviews the economics research literature on policy instrument design for achieving optimal recycling rates and makes policy recommendations from the Nordic perspective. Finally, it presents results from a survey on market conditions to managers in the recycling and plastic manufacturing industry in Sweden.

The purpose of this project is to compare emissions of greenhouse gases from material recycling with those from virgin material production, both from a material supply perspective and from a recycling system perspective. The method for estimating emissions and climate benefits is based on a review, followed by a selection, of the most relevant publications on life cycle assessment (LCA) of materials for use in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The proposed averages show that emissions from material recycling are lower in both perspectives, comparing either material supply or complete recycling systems. The results can be used by companies and industry associations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden to communicate the current climate benefits of material recycling in general. They may also contribute to discussions on a societal level, as long as their average and historic nature is recognised.

This report presents the situation within the Nordic countries with respect to production and recycling of construction and demolition waste, in particular crushed concrete, in the form of aggregates, and discusses the conditions and requirements relating to environmental impacts for a possible application of the End-of-Waste option in the Waste Framework Directive. If this option is applied, the material may become a product and it will no longer be regulated by waste legislation. Regulation of crushed concrete under product legislation presents a number of challenges, particularly with respect to environmental protection. The report presents and proposes a methodology for the setting of leaching and risk-based criteria to be fulfilled by crushed concrete (and other waste aggregates) in order to obtain End-of-Waste status. It is further recommended to set impact-reducing conditions on the use of materials obtaining End-of-Waste criteria, and not to allow free use. It should be noted that the work described in this report was carried out during the period from 2010 to 2012.

Rapporten beskriver data og informationer om de løsninger og teknikker (BAT), som udgør de bedste til at opnå det mindst mulige ressourceforbrug og mindst mulige miljøpåvirkning for mindre bryggerier. Beskrivelserne omfatter de mest gængse løsninger og teknikker, som de i dag findes anvendt på bryggerier i de nordiske lande. Antallet af mindre bryggerier i de nordiske lande er opgjort til 180-185. Mindre bryggerier har en produktionskapacitet på under 300 tons per dag eller svarende til under 1,1 millioner hl/år. Mindre bryggerier består af bryggerier tilhørende gruppen af mellemstore, små og mikrobryggerier. For at lette overvejelserne om at anvende de anbefalede BAT er der udarbejdet en tjekliste, som kan anvendes som et værktøj til at tjekke og overveje BAT mulighederne til at forbedre ressourceudnyttelsen og reducere miljøpåvirkningen. Tjeklisten findes som bilag til rapporten.

Waste quantities in most EU countries are growing. To reverse this trend we need effective waste prevention policy instruments. In the new waste framework directive the EU demands member states to establish national waste prevention programmes. This project aimed at finding new policy instruments for waste prevention and material efficiency through discussions with Nordic experts. The purpose of this report is to give ideas to Nordic countries for possible policy tools to be introduced and to support the preparation of national waste prevention strategies and other environmental strategies.

Environmental management system (EMS) based on either the ISO14001 or EMAS standards require a lot of resources (both time and money). Small and medium enterprises (SME) often prefer less formal systems because of their down-to-earth approach and lower costs. Several successful less formal approaches to eco-management and eco-certification systems exist in the Nordic countries and may be good examples for future development in Europe. It would improve the competitiveness of the Nordic region. The report briefly reviews five established Nordic systems that meet the central requirements of the ISO14001 and EMAS standards, but are less bureaucratic, easier to understand and cheaper to implement. A new challenge arises for SME working in different countries because the less formal systems do not have international accept. A 4-steps methodology was developed to help the co-ordination between these less formal systems. It forms a basis for future cooperation and a practical guide for less formal EMS in more than one Nordic country.

Eco-design presents an integrated approach to develop products with as small environmental footprint as possible taking a life-cycle perspective. However, still, the vast majority of manufacturing companies do not use eco-design, or at least they do not use it in their marketing. Taking a company perspective, this report tries to understand why. Its ambition has been to identify and explain the incentives companies have for implementing eco-design practices in their product development. Ultimately, the report is trying to answer the question on how authorities can use these incentives to better support eco-design. The findings presented in the report are based on interviews with Nordic manufacturing companies, experts in the field and a literature survey. Conclusions are followed by general recommendations on how to stimulate the use of eco-design in companies.

The Nordic Waste Prevention Group under the Nordic Council of Ministers initiated this project "Moving towards a circular economy – successful Nordic business models". The overall objective is to make the circular economy thinking more mainstream in the Nordic countries and hereby accelerate the development of circular economy in the Nordic region.

The project consisted of two activities:

- The organisation of a large multi-stakeholder workshop with participation of more than 60 actors relevant for the circular economy, which was held in in Copenhagen in April 2015.

- The release of a report including a case-catalogue with 18 examples of Nordic businesses, which are part of the Nordic circular economy as well as short policy recommendations, which were suggested at the workshop.

In this report, these 18 cases as well as the workshop and its recommendations are presented.

This report responds to an invitation from the Nordic Council of Ministers to map out Nordic initiatives within textiles as a pre-study to the initiation of a Nordic Roadmap for Sustainable Textiles in 2015. The work has been conducted by:

SIFO - National Institute for Consumer Research (Norway)

SFA - Sustainable Fashion Academy (Sweden)

NFA - Nordic Fashion Association/nicefashion.org (Nordic)

IVL - Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Sweden)

CRI - Copenhagen Resource Institute (Denmark)

Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Environmental Affairs (EK-M) has been responsible for the funding of this project. The project’s steering committee consists of representatives from members from the working groups; Nordic Chemicals Group (NKG), the Nordic Waste Group (NAG) and the Group of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and officers from the Environmental Protection Agency in Denmark. This steering Group is jointly responsible for the direction and decisions regarding the project. NAG has been coordinating the work. Coordinator of project has been Yvonne Augustsson from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

This report aims to chart a plan for a coordinated Nordic effort towards sustainable development in textiles and identify ongoing initiatives in the area. The aim was an ambitious plan with a potential for significant reductions in environmental pressures, but also green growth. To reach these goals, we staked out four regions a Nordic plan should include.

1) Replace fast fashion. The key to achieving an environmentally significant effect is to reduce the amount of textiles in circulation. This will reduce the production of waste and the use of chemicals.

2) Reduce resource input. The perspective is all about reducing inputs in textiles value chain. This includes various forms of circulatory thinking, material efficiency, as well as commercial forms of recycling and waste management.

3) Redirect global vs local. Locally produced textiles, with emphasis on ingredients, traditions, uniqueness and innovation, is a new and positive measure that can easily get attention outside environmentally conscious circles. A greater appreciation for good ingredients, and why quality costs, are required to compete with "fast fashion" and shift towards lasting value. Local production has the potential to create green growth and jobs in the region.

4) Rethink for whom Nordic countries are at their best an example of inclusive and democratic societies. The fashion industry however, has marketed itself towards the young and thin. An ethical approach to fashion encompasses not only how clothing is produced, but also who they are produced for and how clothing affects the ability for self-expression and participation in an open society.

Ongoing initiatives. The mapping showed that there were many ongoing initiatives in the Nordic. The work has mainly focused on the perspective of so-called "reducing resource use." The more established an initiative is, the more likely it is to be low on innovation. An important dilemma surfaces when attention is on better utilization of waste, as this may indirectly contribute to increased growth in volume.

Käytöstä poistetut lyijyakut ovat vaarallista jätettä ja niitä voidaan laillisesti viedä maasta vain viranomaisten myöntämällä kirjallisella luvalla

In general, all used lead-acid batteries obtained from collection points for discarded batteries are considered hazardous waste and can only be legally transported out of the country with a written consent from the authorities.

The generation of household waste is increasing at least as fast as consumption. More and more products are produced, bought, consumed and discarded. The question is where do all these products end up? The aim of the study was to evaluate if, and how, existing statistics and data could be used to describe the waste flow composition on a product level and how (necessary) additional information could be collected. The study focuses on utility products which are discarded in a similar shape as purchased or as part of thereof. Typical examples are electrical and electronic equipment, furniture etc. The report gives a review of existing Nordic information, including statistics and pick analyses, together with results of consultations with experts. The main conclusions are that there is a need for better methods of waste analysis and more knowledge about waste flows. The report gives also some recommendations to policymakers.

This report covers and describes all kinds of operations preparing and serving food outside private homes, we call all these operations the “hospitality sector”. According to Danish and Finnish statistics it might be concluded that one third of all food is served within the hospitality sector. This means that the hospitality sector is important also when it comes to fighting avoidable food waste in society. Due to the fact that the hospitality sector is complex and comprises various kinds of activities and organisations, the report contains a thorough description of this sector in each of the four Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Based on different methods the amounts of food waste and avoidable food waste are calculated in order to illustrate the situation of avoidable food waste within the hospitality sector in general and for different segments. The analyses conclude with a best estimate for total avoidable food waste in the four countries of 456,000 tons, e.g. about 18kg/ inhabitant. The differences between available reports underline a need for better statistics, including better definitions and reporting systems. Prevention of avoidable food waste is an important environmental issue. Each country will be affected of new EU ambitions on avoidable food waste reduction. Further, every member state has to develop waste prevention plans for 2013. New EU strategies on resource efficiency will probably also comprise the issue of avoidable food waste. The report describes initiatives taken both by Governments and operators in the market. Both EU and some countries are also about to define reduction targets on avoidable food waste. Many operators within the hospitality sector are active as well in order to reduce their avoidable food waste, both in order to reduce their costs and reduce the environmental impacts of food that is not eaten by humans. The report concludes that new instruments are needed in order to meet overall avoidable food waste targets, to reduce environmental negative impacts and obtain benefits for society. Instruments are also required in order to bridge the ambitions and rules related to food safety and avoidable food waste prevention. Different economic, regulative and communicative instruments are listed without concluding on which instrument or package of instruments that should be chosen. The report proposes that national instruments might be reinforced and coordinated on a Nordic level. The project results consist of a report and a guide. The guide includes practical advices for the operators within the hospitality sector. The report and the guide are partly based on information gathered from interviews and a survey undertaken in the four countries in January 2012.

This policy brief outlines the main findings from the project Plastic Waste Markets: Overcoming barriers to better resource utilisation. The aim of the project is to provide an overview of the key barriers to a stronger and more robust market for recycled plastics, and to suggest potential initiatives that could be used to overcome these barriers and strengthen the market. The project is part of the market challenges to the Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative, The Nordic Region – leading in green growth.

This project examines the market for recycled plastic, with a primary focus on post-consumer plastic waste because this is considered to be the more problematic. The market for plastic waste generated in manufacturing and production is relatively strong and well-functioning; As a consequence, the majority of plastic waste from manufacturing and production is recycled. Post-consumer waste is much less homogenous: it comes from a wide variety of sources, and contains a wide variety of plastics and tends to be difficult to collect, sort, and recycle. This project identifies barriers to further utilisation of recycled plastics, and analyses a collection of policy tools that could be used to support and expand that market.

The objective of this report is to contribute to the development towards a Circular Economy and is based upon a number of TemaNord reports on recycling of various materials commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers. This report contains synthesized knowledge on metals, biomass, building materials and plastics, from projects completed for the Environment and Economy Group (MEG) and the Nordic Waste Group (NAG). The findings in the TemaNord reports are presented to demonstrate the potentials, barriers and policy instruments in relation to increased recycling and improvement of the markets for recycled resources. The target group of the report is decision makers and other stakeholders searching for circular economy inspiration and knowledge.

Denne veiledningen gir informasjon om dokumentasjonskravene ved forsendelser av grønnlistet avfall. Som en generell regel kreves det samtykke for forsendelser av avfall som krysser landegrenser. Forsendelser med såkalt grønnlistet avfall som skal til gjenvinning skal følge en forenklet prosedyre. 

Den juridiske bakgrunnen er beskrevet i forordning (EU) nr. 1013/2006 om grensekryssende forsendelser av avfall (grensekryssforordningen). Artikkel 3 og 18 i forordningen gjelder forsendelser av grønnlistet avfall. Forordningen er implementert i avfallsforskriften kap 13.

Denne vejledning indeholder oplysninger om krav til overførsel af grønlistet affald. Der kræves som regel en tilladelse til grænseoverskridende overførsler af affald. Overførsler af ikke-farligt affald, også kaldet grønlistet affald, til nyttiggørelse udgør en undtagelse fra denne regel.

Retsgrundlaget fremgår af forordning (EF) nr. 1013/2006 om overførsel af affald. Artikel 3 og 18 i forordningen vedrører overførsel af grønlistet affald.

This guidance gives information on the requirements related to shipping of green-listed waste. As a general rule, a permit is required for transfrontier shipments of waste. Shipments of non-hazardous, so-called green-listed waste for recovery constitute an exception to this rule.

The legal background is set forth in the Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 on shipments of waste. Articles 3 and 18 of the Regulation concern shipments of green-listed waste

Denna vägledning innehåller information om krav gällande transporter av grönlistat avfall. Det krävs som regel en anmälan och godkännande vid gränsöverskridande transporter av avfall. Transport av icke-farligt avfall, så kallat informationspliktigt/grönlistat avfall, avsett för återvinning utgör ett undantag från denna regel.

Den rättsliga bakgrunden anges i förordning (EG) nr 1013/2006 om transport av avfall. Artiklarna 3 och 18 i förordningen rör transport av grönlistat avfall.

Näihin ohjeisiin on koottu tietoja vihreiden jätteiden siirtoihin liittyvistä edellytyksistä. Pääsääntöisesti jätteen siirto maasta toiseen edellyttää lupaa. Poikkeuksena tästä ovat vaarattomien ns. vihreiden jätteiden siirrot hyödyntämistä varten. Oikeudellinen tausta on esitetty jätteensiirtoasetuksessa (EY) N:o 1013/2006. Asetuksen 3 ja 18 artiklat koskevat vihreiden jätteiden siirtoja.

This project was carried out to provide a better picture of transboundary shipments of green-listed waste involving project countries Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The readily available export data for 2014 are presented. The primary effort in the project was devoted to an Annex VII inspection, which was carried out as a desk study. 33 companies were asked to send all their Annex VIIs and related contracts from September-October 2015 to the competent authority of their country. Special focus was given to companies exporting waste beyond the EEA, as were the waste streams consisting of metal scrap, plastics, paper, and cable waste. In addition to the Annex VII inspection and the gathering of national statistics, the project included asking company representatives about their practices and opinions related to green-listed waste shipments, via a Web-based survey.

This policy brief on The Nordic textile reuse and recycling commitment is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ overall green growth initiative, The Nordic Region – leading in green growth. Read more in the web magazine Green Growth the Nordic Way at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

This report is the primary outcome from Part I of the project “Towards a new Nordic textile commitment - Collection, sorting, reuse and recycling” initiated by the Nordic Waste Group (NAG). The report for Part 2 will be published in December 2014.This report summarizes the work carried out in 2013. The four subreports will be the basis for the work to be performed in 2014 with the aim of creating a Voluntary Commitment and a Code of Conduct. The reports for 2013 are:

• Mapping of current actors in the collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of used textiles and the management of textile wastes

• Literature review of the traceability of global textile flows.

• Definition and documentation of operational and best practice standards in the collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of used textiles and management of textile wastes.

• Comparison with waste management of other waste streams.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth.” Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

The Nordic textile reuse and recycling commitment aims to engage stakeholders in committing to common goals of reducing the environmental impact from textile consumption and increasing the competitiveness of the Nordic region. It provides a third party certified system for legitimate sustainable collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of textiles. The report covers the main principles of a commitment.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” - read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

This report is the primary outcome from Part I of the project “Towards a Nordic textile strategy - Collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of textiles” initiated by the Nordic Waste Group (NAG). The report for Part 2 will be published in December 2014.This report summarizes the work carried out in 2013. The three subreports will be the basis for the work to be performed in 2014. The reports for 2013 are:

• International market survey of textile flows in the Nordic region and the market for collection, sorting, preparing for reuse, reselling and waste management of textiles.

• Collection and sorting systems. A total of 19 collection systems are compared for collection flows, contamination levels, cost, suitability of collected textile and availability for the consumer. Four sorting systems are described.

• Technology review of sorting and recycling of textiles that describes available and future technology.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth.” Read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.norden.org/greengrowth.

The proposed strategy for increased reuse and recycling of textiles provides a starting point for the work towards a more sustainable textile and fashion sector in the Nordic region. It is focused on the increased collection, sorting, reuse and recycling in the region and thereby provides one part of the sustainability puzzle in the sector. The proposed strategy includes incentives, policy measures and measures needed on local, regional, national and Nordic levels to ensure successful implementation.

The report is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” - read more in the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

This policy brief on Nordic textile reuse and recycling is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ overall green growth initiative, The Nordic Region - leading in green growth. Read more in the web magazine Green Growth the Nordic Way at www.nordicway.org or at www.norden.org/greengrowth

This report summarizes results from sampling and analysis of microplastics in leachates from a total of 11 landfills in Finland, Iceland and Norway. The study was commissioned by the Nordic Waste Group (NAG) and the Marine Group (HAV) under the Nordic Council of Ministers. Polymer particles with an upper size limit of 5 mm and a lower limit of 50 μm (micrometres), were included. Samples were analysed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Most samples tested positive for multiple microplastics. Compared to other quantified sources of microplastics such as raw or treated sewage, landfill leachates are likely to be a relatively small source of microplastic particles between 5000 and 50 µm. Variations in particle count extends, however, over several orders of magnitude. Variability and potential effects of microplastics in landfill leachates, including particles <50µm, should be focus of future studies.

Denne rapport opsummerer resultaterne af projektet "Bæredygtig produktion i Norden", hvor et forenklet miljøledelseskoncept, EMS Light Nordic, er udviklet, testet og implementert på en række virksomheder i de nordiske småsamfund (Island, Færøerne og Åland). EMS Light Nordic er et vigtigt supplement til de øvrige nordiske EMS systemer samt ISO og EMAS systemerne og er attraktivt for de virksomheder som har brug for en enkel og grundlæggende model for at arbejede systematisk med miljøforhold og ikke vil gå efter en certificering. En væsentlig styrke ved EMS Light Nordic systemets er, at det tilbyder virksomhederne et enkelt værktøj til registrering af miljødata og miljømål og enkle skabeloner til de centrale miljøledelses procedurer. EMS Light Nordic er først og fremmest et brugbart værktøj til SME virksomheder. Disse kan få en række værdiskabende output ved implementering af EMS Light Nordic med et relativ lille tidsforbrug. EMS Light Nordic er en billig løsning som i flere tilfælde hurtigt tjener sig hjem på besparelser.