Technical Development of Waste Sector in Sweden: Survey

MASTER’S THESIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES RESEARCH
face of the nation. Since early 1960s, the landfilling project started in Sweden but this led to several
environmental risks as technology then was not advanced. As a result, environmental protection act
(Miljöskyddslag, 1969:387) was introduced in the late 60s. Recyclable cans were introduced in 80s
and new production design of beverage was getting importance at that time. In the middle of 90s, for
better waste management and recycling system, EU packaging directive (94/62/EC) was introduced
in Sweden. These regulations and innovative packaging system increased the recycling rate of waste
and beverage cans.
Incineration is the leading waste treatment technology in Sweden. Air emissions primarily, CO 2 , SOx,
NOx and Dioxin emission were the leading polluters before 21 st century in Sweden. CO 2
contributing global climate change; SOx or NOx contributing Ozone depletion and dioxin has great
impact on human health. Emissions from the incineration were very high compare to the current
emissions level and standard emission level is also modified after alternative time differences. Later
in the 20 th century, global climate change came under the light. That is one of the prime reasons of
developing EU waste incineration directive (2000/76/EC) for standard emission in atmosphere from
the incineration processes. Later, landfill directive (2001:512) was introduced for certain categories of
waste that cannot be land filled, so those wastes are managed by other waste treatment technologies
like biological treatment, combustible waste by Incineration and so on.
According to the analysis of Avfall Sverige in 2007 reveals that a total of 4,717,380 tons of household
waste has been treated in 2007 while the generation of waste volume is on the increasing note, with
the resource recovery facilities. However, the volume of waste managed by landfill has decreased
tremendously in the last decade. Anaerobic digestion and incineration processes are used for the
higher portion of MSW in Sweden. The primary waste treatment technologies that are used in
Sweden are as follows (Avfall Sverige, 2008):
• Material recycling
• Biological treatment
• Waste-to-energy
• Landfill
In 2007, about 48.7 per cent of material recycling, including biological treatment have been taken
place and a total of 13.6 TWh of energy was recovered through incineration during 2007 (Avfall
Sverige, 2008).
From Figure 7 below, it can be said that material recovery (37% of the total waste) and incineration
(46%of the total waste) are the predominant techniques for managing solid waste in Sweden while
landfill technique has lower percentage. Figures Figure A1, Figure A2 and Figure A3 in appendix
show the treatment process and emission from the Incineration of MSW in Sweden.
KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLAN
20 | Page