pakkausjätelain

Pakkausjätelaki, often referred to as the packaging waste law in Finland, is the primary statutory framework governing the management of packaging waste in the country. The act implements the European Union’s packaging and packaging waste directives and situates Finland within the broader European approach to waste management and the circular economy.

Scope and objectives

The law applies to packaging placed on the market in Finland and to the packaging waste generated by households, businesses, and institutions. Its main goals are to prevent packaging waste where possible, promote reuse and recycling, and ensure that packaging waste is collected, sorted, and treated in an environmentally sound manner. The act seeks to minimize environmental impact and to align Finnish practice with EU targets.

Responsibilities and actors

A central feature of the pakkausjätelaki is the extended producer responsibility (EPR) mechanism. Producers, importers, and distributors are responsible for financing and organizing the end‑of‑life management of packaging placed on the market. They typically join a producer responsibility organization that coordinates collection, sorting, and recycling activities. Municipalities handle the organization and provision of separate collection systems for households and ensure accessible recycling infrastructure.

Design, labeling, and reporting

The act encourages packaging design that facilitates reuse and recycling, and requires information on packaging materials to aid proper sorting. Companies must report on their packaging waste management activities and comply with established recycling and recovery targets, in line with national and EU requirements.

Compliance and enforcement

Regulatory authorities monitor compliance, with penalties and corrective measures for non‑compliance. The pakkausjätelaki is regularly updated to reflect changes in EU law and evolving best practices in packaging and waste management.