Avfallslagen

Avfallslagen, or the Waste Act, is a Swedish law that regulates the management of waste. Its primary objective is to prevent waste generation and ensure that remaining waste is managed in an environmentally sound manner. The law applies to all types of waste, including household waste, industrial waste, and hazardous waste. It places a responsibility on waste producers to sort and dispose of their waste correctly, and on municipalities to provide systems for collecting and treating waste.

The Avfallslagen emphasizes a waste hierarchy, prioritizing prevention, reuse, and recycling over other forms of waste management. Disposal, such as landfilling or incineration without energy recovery, is considered the least desirable option. The law also contains provisions for extended producer responsibility, requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle, including their disposal. This can involve the collection and recycling of specific product types like electronics or packaging.

Furthermore, the Avfallslagen sets standards for waste treatment facilities and transportation of waste. It aims to protect human health and the environment from the negative effects of waste. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) is the supervisory authority responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Waste Act, often in cooperation with local municipalities.