Recycling packaging materials requires effective coordination and close collaboration

Guest Expert: Virva Eteläinen, Service Manager, Stena Recycling Oy

Once a packaging waste container at a property or recycling point has been emptied, the material is transported via reception terminals for recycling. One of Sumi’s partners is Stena Recycling Oy, which is responsible for processing and recycling packaging waste in accordance with producer responsibility obligations defined in the Finnish Waste Act. Recycled packaging materials can be used as raw materials for new products, reducing the need for virgin materials.

Stena Recycling’s producer responsibility services team consists of nine professionals whose main task is to ensure that reception terminals operate in accordance with agreements made with producer organizations. Virva Eteläinen works as Service Manager within the producer responsibility services team.  

Efficient material reception through close cooperation with suppliers  

Transport companies deliver packaging waste from suppliers to reception terminals. Suppliers are the organizations that collect materials and deliver them to reception terminals, such as municipal waste management companies, municipalities, and businesses.

“We provide guidance to suppliers and their transport operators to ensure that material deliveries are as smooth as possible and carried out in line with agreed procedures. We prepare instructions covering areas such as weighing procedures, unloading of deliveries and how to handle exceptional situations,” says Virva Eteläinen.

Operations are coordinated with a wide range of stakeholders. The experts’ responsibilities include developing cooperation by listening to the needs of different parties and increasing awareness of how reception terminals operate. For example, municipal waste management companies have been invited to visit their local reception terminals. These visits make it easier for waste management companies to communicate correct operating practices to their transport contractors. At the same time, the visits provide an opportunity to gather feedback from drivers on terminal operations.

The efficient operation of reception terminals is based on consistent and safe working practices. At Stena Recycling, safety is continuously monitored and developed in cooperation with partners. Clearly designated unloading areas and signage guide incoming deliveries of packaging waste. Drivers are also instructed on safe working practices at reception terminals and are required to use personal protective equipment that meets Stena Recycling’s safety requirements.

High-quality materials keep recycling in motion  

Incoming material loads undergo a quality inspection at the reception point, and any impurities are removed from the load. The cleaner the material, the higher the quality of the recycled material that can be produced from it. Suppliers are notified of impurities so that consumers and businesses can be guided towards better sorting practices.

“High-quality materials are essential for successful recycling. Our responsibility is to comply with the quality requirements set by producer organizations,” says Virva Eteläinen.

Material that passes quality inspection is stored either baled or loose. Once enough have accumulated, the material is transported, depending on the material type, to a recycling facility operated by Stena Recycling, a partner company, or a facility designated by a producer organization.

An important part of the recycling process is managing outgoing material flows. Service Managers are responsible for transport arrangements, ensuring that materials continue through the process for recycling.

Effective coordination requires close collaboration between experts  

In addition to ensuring efficient material flows, Stena Recycling’s experts are responsible for delivering high-quality service. This requires close cooperation between Stena Recycling’s operational teams and a wide range of specialists.

“We continuously develop material flow management and implement solutions that enable data to be reported efficiently and in accordance with requirements to producer organizations and suppliers,” explains Virva Eteläinen.

The experts are also responsible for ensuring consistent service across reception terminals and visit terminals whenever necessary. These site visits form part of ongoing operational monitoring, which is carried out both independently and together with producer organizations. Based on observations and feedback, operating practices are continuously developed to meet the needs of both reception terminals and producer organizations.

Regular meetings and knowledge sharing with producer organizations  

For Virva Eteläinen and the rest of the team, close cooperation with producer organizations such as Sumi is a central part of everyday work. The experts report on operations to producer organizations and ensure that agreed instructions and procedures are followed.

Stena Recycling provides Sumi with monthly reports covering, among other things, incoming and outgoing volumes of packaging waste. In addition, the company works closely with Sumi by preparing instructions for reception terminals and holding regular meetings to discuss current topics and developments.

Stena Recycling manages materials throughout the entire recycling process, and its experts continuously monitor market developments. This expertise is also applied to producer responsibility services. Regular market reviews are carried out, particularly for fibre-based packaging, paper and metals. Strong expertise enables a deep understanding of materials and their processing, which also supports the continuous development of producer responsibility services.

This article was produced in cooperation with Stena Recycling Oy.

Stena Recycling provides recycling and circular economy services to more than 100,000 customers across a wide range of industries in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Germany and Italy.

The company manages the entire recycling value chain from everyday waste management and sorting services for businesses to refining recycled materials into high-quality secondary raw materials for manufacturing industries. More than 6.5 million tonnes of recyclable materials pass through the company each year, with annual revenue exceeding EUR 2 billion.

https://www.stenarecycling.com/