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No more shipping to Germany. Norway will process everything domestically
The plant will create new jobs and contribute to the development of the industry. Fot. stock.adobe.com/licencja standardowa
Norway has launched a state-of-the-art plastic sorting facility in Holtskog Næringspark in Indre Østfold. The new center, covering over 13,000 square meters, will handle plastic waste from across the country. Ultimately, it is expected to process up to 90,000 tons of plastic annually. This is the first facility of its kind within Norway's borders.
Plastretur CEO Karl Johan Ingvaldsen emphasizes that this is "the most advanced plastic packaging sorting plant in the world." Modern production lines enable the separation of waste into ten different types of plastic.
The sorted plastics are then sold as raw material. Until now, waste from Norwegian households was mainly sent to Germany. Moving the sorting process to Norway is intended to increase transparency and responsibility in waste management.
The sorted plastics are then sold as raw material. Until now, waste from Norwegian households was mainly sent to Germany. Moving the sorting process to Norway is intended to increase transparency and responsibility in waste management.
Norwegians talk about ethics and morality
Cecilia Askham from the Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS) believes that the decision to sort plastic domestically is morally and ethically justified. Norway should handle the waste generated on its own territory.
The researcher also points out that this will make the recycling process more transparent for producers and consumers. This could lead to greater public involvement in waste sorting. Despite transporting plastic from the north of the country to Indre Østfold, emissions are lower than with previous exports to Germany.
The researcher also points out that this will make the recycling process more transparent for producers and consumers. This could lead to greater public involvement in waste sorting. Despite transporting plastic from the north of the country to Indre Østfold, emissions are lower than with previous exports to Germany.
In Norway in 2021, an estimated 620,000 tons of plastic were generated—less than 30 percent of this amount was recycled for material recovery.Photo: Pixabay
New jobs and recycling sector growth
The plant has been operating in test mode since the end of April and will reach full operational capacity on November 5. It currently runs on a single shift, but from 2026, a two-shift system is planned, which will increase production efficiency.
The number of employees will rise from 12 to 25, and in the future, possibly up to 35 people. Karl Johan Ingvaldsen announces further development of the center and an increase in the amount of processed plastic. The goal is to create a self-sufficient national plastic recycling system.
The number of employees will rise from 12 to 25, and in the future, possibly up to 35 people. Karl Johan Ingvaldsen announces further development of the center and an increase in the amount of processed plastic. The goal is to create a self-sufficient national plastic recycling system.
The new center in Indre Østfold is an important step toward making Norway independent from foreign processing plants. Thanks to domestic sorting, plastic will become a valuable secondary raw material for Norwegian industry. The development of such infrastructure may help reduce the import of new plastics, lower CO₂ emissions, and boost the recycling-based economy.
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