In September 2023, municipal waste authority Vafabmiljö Kommunalförbund launched a pilot program across central Sweden to expand plastics sorting at staffed Återbruk (recycling centres). For the first time, residents are asked to sort Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) — known locally as frigolit — into a separate, dedicated container.
This step is part of a wider effort to improve the quality of plastic fractions collected at municipal drop-off sites. It also anticipates future obligations under revised producer responsibility frameworks for plastic packaging.
The EPS initiative began on 21 September 2023 and applies to all staffed drop-off centres operated by Vafabmiljö across Västmanland and parts of Uppsala and Örebro counties.
System design: EPS as a new material stream
Residents are now instructed to sort clean, dry EPS packaging — such as protective foam used for electronics or appliance deliveries — into a dedicated collection bin. This material must not be contaminated and cannot include EPS used in construction or demolition.
Clear signage, updated sorting instructions, and staff engagement support correct material placement. The intent is to prevent EPS from entering other plastic fractions where it could compromise material purity.
The system does not introduce new processing infrastructure at this stage. Instead, it uses existing collection points and operational workflows to test whether EPS can be effectively diverted through public guidance alone.
A pilot designed for insight and alignment
This initiative is not presented as a final system. It is structured as a pilot — a regional test case aimed at assessing how well residents respond to new material instructions, and whether EPS can be collected cleanly enough for downstream recovery.
It also allows Vafabmiljö to gather data ahead of planned changes in national packaging regulations, including stricter definitions for recyclability and obligations on municipal sorting effectiveness.
By integrating EPS alongside other plastic types, the system avoids infrastructure duplication and tests public-facing design changes that can be scaled or revised based on results.
FACT BOX
| Item | Value |
| Launch | 21 September 2023 |
| System type | Pilot – EPS drop-off at staffed recycling centres |
| Material | Clean, dry EPS packaging (frigolit) |
| Excluded items | EPS from construction, contaminated foam |
| Collection sites | All staffed Återbruk centres (Vafabmiljö area) |
| Purpose | Reduce plastic stream contamination, align with EPR |
📎 Source:
“Nu utökar vi sorteringen av plast på Återbruken” — Vafabmiljö, 21 September 2023
https://vafabmiljo.se/nyheter/nu-utokar-vi-sorteringen-av-plast-pa-aterbruken
