In a new report commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy, Sweco recommends the governments of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland, to implement more systematic waste prevention strategies to achieve regional and national sustainability goals. The report outlines practical measures to strengthen the circular economy in the Nordics, with a particular focus on waste prevention and reuse.

As global climate and biodiversity challenges intensify, the Nordic Council of Ministers has engaged Sweco to provide expert recommendations on accelerating waste prevention across the region. The project, which centres on municipal waste, was conducted by a team of Sweco experts from Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

“As a trusted European advisor in sustainability, Sweco is uniquely positioned to support the Nordic Council of Ministers in reviewing and enhancing existing policies and programmes, and in providing recommendations based on best practise. The report’s main takeaway is that while waste prevention is a priority in the Nordic countries, a clear need exists for systematic, robust measures to turn these policies into tangible outcomes,” said Thomas Hietto, Business Area President of Sweco Finland.

The report draws on international best practices and evaluates a range of effective economic instruments that could be adopted by the Nordic countries, such as targeted fees on fast fashion, VAT reductions for second-hand trade and repair services, and R&D funding for innovative circular business models.

“The Nordic countries are well-positioned to take the next steps in waste prevention and reuse, and Sweco is excited to provide the Nordic Council of Ministers with recommendations for this transition. Sweco’s report provides critical insights on how the Nordic countries can advance their waste management systems from traditional recycling to a fully integrated circular economy. This approach addresses the entire product value chain and makes it easier for citizens to make sustainable choices,” said Hietto.