From 8 to 12 December, a Ukrainian delegation comprising representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, local self-government bodies, and Ukrainian experts of the WM4U Programme undertook a study visit to Sweden. The visit formed part of Ukraine’s broader European integration process and its commitments to align national legislation with the EU regulatory framework.
The main objective of the visit was to explore Sweden’s advanced experience in extended producer responsibility (EPR) – an instrument that enables effective market regulation, strengthens environmental responsibility of business, increases recycling rates, and ensures transparency across all stages of waste management. In addition to packaging, participants examined Sweden’s EPR approaches in the areas of electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, and end-of-life vehicles.
Alongside an in-depth exploration of the EPR concept and a practical understanding of how the system operates, the Ukrainian delegation held a series of high-level meetings in Sweden. These included discussions with representatives of the relevant parliamentary committee of Sweden, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Sida, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Embassy of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Institute in Sweden.
The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the broader context of environmental policy and environmental protection, particularly issues related to the development of a circular economy. The composition of the delegation ensured both political and technical levels of analysis, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of how the Swedish model could be adapted to Ukrainian realities.
Strategic framework and the launch of dialogue
The visit began with a meeting with representatives of SALAR International and Avfall Swerige, the implementers of WM4U Programme. This meeting helped define the overall framework for cooperation, the institutional context, and the key principles of the Swedish approach to waste management.
Erik Faxgård, Director of SALAR International, emphasised the importance of cooperation with Ukrainian partners in the context of local government development reforms, strengthening institutional capacity, and implementing European governance practices.
In turn, Oleh Bondarenko, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, highlighted the relevance of Sweden’s experience for Ukraine:
“We are grateful to the people of Sweden for their consistent support for Ukraine. The knowledge gained during this visit will become a foundation for implementing modern European approaches to waste management and for the adoption of legislation aligned with EU standards.”
A separate session focused on the instruments and approaches implemented within the WM4U Programme.
Andrik Mols, Technical Programme Manager of WM4U, outlined the strategic intentions of the initiative:
“We support Ukraine in its transition to a circular economy, help develop effective EPR mechanisms, and build resilient infrastructure that will operate transparently, efficiently, and in the interests of citizens.”
The Swedish EPR experience: principles, institutions, and practical mechanisms
A central element of the programme consisted of presentations by Swedish institutions and practitioners who were directly involved in shaping the European EPR model.
Olha Glazunova, WM4U Programme Manager in Ukraine, noted:
“The study visit allowed us not only to better understand the overall philosophy of the EPR system, but also to see how it functions in practice. We had a unique opportunity to meet Thomas Lindhqvist – the author of the very term ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ – and to engage with experts who were directly involved in implementing this system in Sweden.”
Professor Thomas Lindhqvist, one of the founders of the EPR concept, presented the theoretical and practical foundations of the model. He stressed that an effective EPR system is possible only where the state establishes predictable rules, producers bear real responsibility, and the market operates transparently. He also emphasised the need for Ukraine to ensure a stable regulatory framework and to prevent unfair practices.
The evolution of Sweden’s waste management system was presented by Weine Wiqvist, WM4U Senior Adviser:
“Sweden has gone a long way – from chaotic waste handling to a model that combines legislative incentives, technology, and business responsibility. The key to success lies in interaction between the state, municipalities, and citizens.”
Magdalena Salomonsson from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency presented the architecture of the modern EPR system, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring, reliable data, and investment in recycling infrastructure.
Practical insights: from system design to real facilities
An important component of the visit involved site visits demonstrating how Sweden’s extended producer responsibility system works in practice. The delegation visited the municipal company Stockholm Vatten och Avfall AB, responsible for water supply and household waste management; SRV Återvinning AB, which operates waste collection and recycling systems in southern Stockholm; and the international company Remondis, one of the leaders in packaging material recycling.
During these visits, participants examined in detail the logistics of waste collection, sorting processes, and the preparation of secondary materials for recycling. Particular attention was paid to financial models and governance mechanisms that ensure system stability, transparency, and long-term economic viability.
Ukrainian expert perspectives: expectations, conclusions, and next steps
Olena Kalashnyk, Acting Head of the Waste Management Department at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the importance of the Swedish experience for shaping Ukraine’s own model:
“We saw how effectively a system can function when all market players have clearly defined roles. For Ukraine, this is extremely valuable, especially in the context of launching EPR.”
Diana Novikova, Head of the Municipal Waste Management and Public Utilities Unit, Department of Life Support Systems at the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, emphasised the role of municipalities:
“Sweden demonstrates that strong municipalities are key to the success of the system. Their capacity to plan, coordinate, and communicate with citizens is exactly what we need to develop.”
WM4U National Expert Oleksandr Ihnatenko added:
“Our task is to adapt the best international practices so that they work in Ukrainian conditions. This is only possible through cooperation between the state, communities, business, and civil society.”
Political-level dialogue: cooperation between Ukraine and Sweden
As part of the visit, meetings were also held with the Riksdag Committee on Environment and Agriculture, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Sida. Discussions focused on international support for Ukraine’s reform efforts and mutual learning.
Commenting on these meetings, Aliona Shulima, Assistant to a Member of Parliament of Ukraine and Head of the NGO “Pragma”, stated:
“Many thanks to the WM4U Programme for the excellent and very well-thought-out organisation of the study visit to Sweden, as well as for the insightful and productive discussions. The programme was carefully designed and fully reflected our requests, addressing our practical needs in exploring EPR from different perspectives. This exchange will be extremely valuable for our further work on the draft law on packaging and packaging waste, as well as for future cooperation in the field of waste management.”
What the Swedish experience means for Ukraine
The Swedish experience confirms that an effective EPR system is possible only under conditions of stable legislation, a transparent market, and clearly defined producer responsibility, complemented by the active role of municipalities in infrastructure development, public communication, and oversight. At the same time, the Swedish model demonstrates the critical importance of long-term investment in recycling, without which system sustainability and economic viability cannot be ensured.
For Ukraine, this experience is particularly relevant. While the country already has legislative prerequisites for introducing EPR, it now requires consistent implementation of norms, the introduction of technical standards, and effective enforcement mechanisms. In this context, the WM4U model serves as a platform for systemic transformation, combining technical expertise, capacity building for key stakeholders, and political dialogue as a foundation for sustainable change.
The study visit to Sweden marked an important stage in shaping a new waste management model in Ukraine. The Swedish experience shows that building an effective system is only possible with political will, institutional coherence, and responsibility shared by all market participants. The Ukrainian delegation returned with a clear understanding that adapting Swedish solutions is realistic, provided there is a systemic approach and continuous interstate cooperation.
The visit was organised with the support of the Strengthening Municipal Waste Management in Ukraine (WM4U) Programme, funded by the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by the Swedish Waste Management and Recycling Association (Avfall Sverige) in partnership with SALAR International.