Cable industry takes next step towards a circular return system for plastic drums

The cable industry in Sweden is intensifying its efforts to develop more circular packaging flows. Within the framework of a joint initiative by Selcable and the Swedish Electricity Wholesalers, SEG, actors from the entire value chain – cable manufacturers, electricity wholesalers and installers – have over the past year analyzed how such a system can be designed and function in practice.

The background is a combination of increased regulatory requirements and a growing need to reduce resource use and climate impact. Today, a large proportion of plastic drums lack effective return solutions, which means that they often go to energy recovery after use instead of being reused.

The work shows that there are good conditions for establishing a return system, but that it requires common principles regarding design, quality and handling, as well as integration into existing logistics flows.

Shared responsibility throughout the value chain

A key conclusion is that a functioning return system needs to encompass the entire value chain – from product design to collection and reuse. How plastic drums are designed directly affects the possibility of reuse, while practical return flows require adaptations by both wholesalers and installers.

“This is a clear example of when the industry needs to act together. The demands from both legislation and customers are increasing, and the work shows that there are good opportunities to develop more circular solutions for plastic drums,” says Anders Koppel, CEO of Solar and board member of SEG.

The report also points out that existing transport and distribution flows form an important basis for building effective return solutions. Instead of creating completely new systems, it is largely a matter of further developing structures that already exist, and clarifying responsibilities and incentives at each level.

The initiative is closely linked to the upcoming European Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will tighten requirements for circular and traceable packaging systems, including both reuse and recycling. This increases the need for industry-wide solutions that can meet both regulatory and business requirements.

– From the manufacturer's side, we see great value in the industry working together for common standards and solutions. This creates better conditions for reuse and recycling while ensuring quality, safety and technical requirements throughout the entire flow, says Peter Marcusson, chairman of Selcable.

Next step: standardization and pilot

The work is now continuing with a focus on two main areas:

Common principles for plastic drum design, materials and quality
Pilot project where return logistics, incentive models and practical handling are tested on a larger scale

The goal is to establish an industry-wide return system that enables more circular flows for plastic drums through increased reuse and recycling. The pilot phase will be important in identifying how the system should best be designed to be effective, practical, easy to use in daily work and sustainable in the long term.

Prerequisites for a long-term system

For an industry-wide return system to be sustainable in the long term, continued development is required in several areas, especially standardization, logistics solutions, business models and clear incentives for all actors in the value chain.

This requires continued collaboration and shared priorities in the industry.

The initiative is jointly run by member companies within SEG and Selcable and marks a clear step from analysis to implementation in the work of developing more circular and resource-efficient packaging flows in the cable industry.

Facts: The project in brief

The initiative for the project on a circular return system for plastic drums is driven by Sveriges Elgrossister (SEG) and Selcable. The aim has been to investigate the possibilities for an industry-wide system through analysis of existing flows, dialogue with actors in the value chain and the development of a common basis for further decisions.

The work is now moving forward with a focus on standardizing plastic drums and implementing pilot projects, where logistics, business models and incentives are tested in practice. The ambition is to develop an economically sustainable system that can be scaled up nationally and, in the long term, also Nordic-wide.

Key factors for a successful system

Standardized plastic drums with long service life
Simple and efficient return flows
Clear and effective incentives for all actors
Digital traceability and transparency throughout the system

Member companies

Selcable

Nexans Sweden AB
Prysmian Group Sweden AB
NKT Sweden AB
Amokabel
Hexatronic Cables & Interconnect Systems

TOUGH

Ahlsell AB
Sonepar Sweden AB
Onninen Sweden
Rexel Sweden
Solar Sweden

Sustainability Selcable