The “E” in Elretur will also stand for Emballageretur. Denmark’s largest Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the collection, recycling and reuse of electrical products will now use its extensive experience and large network of recycling operators in Denmark to ensure that as much packaging as possible is recycled, reused or disposed of in an environmentally sound way.
From 1 January 2025, producers and importers will be responsible for ensuring that the packaging for their products is taken out of the waste stream and recycled. This will be a major challenge for businesses. But Elretur is ready to lift that challenge from their shoulders. Elretur is already preparing the structure and organisation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, which will have its own finances, while Elretur continues to maintain its full focus.
Elretur’s existing set-up means that the obvious synergies between the collection and treatment of electrical products and the future packaging volumes can be used easily and efficiently. Elretur’s systems already ensure traceability for discarded electrical products. These systems can also be used in the new packaging area, so we can track the packaging as it moves into and out of the waste stream. This helps ensure that packaging is recycled and does not end up as waste in nature.
“Elretur already has the collection and treatment logistics in place. And we have the experience and a large network within the waste sector in Denmark and abroad. This means that from day one, we can ensure that far more packaging is taken out of the waste stream and recycled. For the benefit of the environment, businesses and the public,” says Morten Harboe-Jepsen, CEO of Elretur.
Elretur will offer to handle and recycle packaging not only for the organisation’s more than 950 members, but for all Danish businesses affected by EPR for packaging.
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency estimates that approximately 41,000 businesses will be covered by the new EPR rules. The authorities are introducing the new rules to ensure that far more packaging than today is reused or recycled, so that the environmental impact can be reduced and the carbon footprint significantly lowered. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency estimates that businesses under the EPR scheme for packaging will face annual costs of at least DKK 2.3 billion.
The new rules for packaging are very similar to the rules that already apply to producers and importers of electrical products. Morten Harboe-Jepsen therefore sees strong opportunities to handle the large packaging volumes and ensure the highest possible rate of reuse and recycling.
“Elretur’s entire organisation is already built to collect, handle, reuse and recycle materials. So we are 100% ready to handle packaging when the calendar reaches 1 January 2025,” says Morten Harboe-Jepsen.
Elretur is now beginning work to prepare the organisation’s systems, so that on 1 January 2025 the organisation will only need to press the button to handle and recycle packaging products. Morten Harboe-Jepsen encourages all recycling operators to collaborate.
“Elretur is working to secure Denmark a global leading position in reuse and recycling. However, this ambition requires all recycling operators to work together. The state, municipalities, knowledge institutions and other recycling operators must join forces to make Denmark the frontrunner in reuse and recycling that we have the potential to become. Elretur fully supports this collaboration,” says Morten Harboe-Jepsen.
The executive order for the new EPR rules is expected in 2023
CEO of Elretur, Morten Harboe-Jepsen, mobile +45 4031 8187 or email mhj@elretur.dk
Elretur is Denmark’s largest Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), representing many different industries and types of businesses. We handle Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and batteries on behalf of more than 950 members.
Elretur is a non-profit organisation that ensures responsible and cost-effective collection and treatment of the electronic and battery waste delivered to Denmark’s recycling centres. Elretur recycles 84% of the products collected, which is above the EU average of 80%. The goal is now to take the next step and increase product reuse.