Recycling statistics on extended producer responsibility

In 2024, 3,851 tonnes of portable batteries and accumulators were brought to the Finnish market as such or as parts of devices, and a total of 2,011 tonnes were collected from consumers and other operators. Under the government decree 520/2014, a minimum 45% of portable batteries must be collected. Finland has achieved its set objectives in collecting portable batteries every year.
Most of the batteries are still lead-acid batteries, although the number of lithium batteries has increased in recent years. In 2024, the quantity of lead-acid batteries processed in recycling plants totalled 21,087 tonnes at a recycling efficiency of approximately 73.6%. A relatively small quantity of nickel-cadmium batteries have been recycled: In 2024, recycling plants processed approximately 15 tonnes of nickel-cadmium batteries at a recycling efficiency of 80%.

The recycling efficiency of other batteries and accumulators, including lithium, alkaline and nickel-metal hydride batteries, met the minimum efficiency target of 50%. The recycling efficiency was about the same as in previous years.

Even though these collection volumes may seem low, they are not an indication that the rest of battery waste ends up in mixed waste. Although this is sometimes the case, some batteries will be transported for reuse abroad, for example as parts of electrical equipment. The formula for calculating the collection rate of batteries does also not take into account that some batteries have longer life spans.

See the statistics on batteries and accumulators 2010–2024 (in Finnish)

Producers are responsible for ensuring that in end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), at least 95% of the vehicle is taken for reuse or otherwise recovered and at least 85% is taken for reuse or recycling. The reuse and recovery rate target was achieved in 2023, but the reuse and recycling rate remained slightly below the goal.

At the end of a vehicle’s life span, it can still serve as a source of functioning spare parts, metals, and energy. The last holder of an ELV is obliged to bring the vehicle to an official take-back point where the holder will be issued a certificate of destruction. The take-back points transport the vehicles through the recycling operators of the producer organisation Finnish Car Recycling Ltd. (Suomen Autokierrätys Oy) for recycling and reuse.

Scrapping vehicles in Finland 

Around 70,000–80,000 cars are scrapped in Finland every year. The number of certificates of destruction issued has been declining in recent years. In 2024, a total of 70,834 vehicles were removed from the vehicle register after presenting certificates of destruction. 

The decline in scrapping is related to the generally poor economic situation. In the past, scrapping volumes have increased as a result of incentive campaigns, higher global prices of metal, and increased consumer awareness of recycling. 

A new scrapping premium scheme will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027. Scrapping premiums are granted by application by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The premiums are available for scrapping vehicles which were first registered in 2015 or earlier and granted for the purchase of a new low-emission passenger car. 

In addition to official scrapping of cars, some ELVs still end up in places other than the official take-back points. Electronic certificates of destruction and a digital recycling platform have been launched to solve this issue and to improve data collection and the monitoring of ELVs. 

Reporting to the European Commission

The Finnish Supervisory Agency prepares and submits a vehicle statistics report to the European Commission annually in June. The statistics are based on data received from the producer organisation. The producer organisation Finnish Car Recycling Ltd. is in charge of the extended producer responsibility obligations of over 250 importers of new and used cars.

See ELV statistics 2008–2023 (pdf, in Finnish).

Provisions on the recycling goals for packaging waste are laid down in the government decree on packaging and packaging waste. Achieving these goals is the responsibility of producers, i.e. packers and importers of packaged products. The recycling rate also includes beverage containers with deposits. Separate reuse and recycling obligations for beverage containers with deposits are laid down in the Government Decree on the return system for beverage containers. Links to relevant legislation are listed on the bottom of the page under Legislation. 

Under the Government Decree on packaging and packaging waste, the recycling targets are:

In 2025

• Total goal 65%
• Plastic 50%
• Wood 25%
• Ferrous metals 70%
• Aluminium 70%
• Glass 70%
• Fibre (paper and cardboard) 75%

In 2030

• Total goal 70%
• Plastic 55%
• Wood 30%
• Ferrous metals 80%
• Aluminium 80%
• Glass 75%
• Fibre (paper and cardboard) 85%

Reporting the statistics to the European Commission

The Finnish Supervisory Authority prepares and submits statistics on packaging and packaging waste to the European Commission annually. Previously, the statistics were reported by the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre starting from 1997. The statistics are based on annual data reported by producers and producer organisations and supplemented by estimates of the quantities of other packaging brought to the Finnish market.

See packaging statistics 2020–2023 (pdf, in Finnish).

Statistics from before 2019 are not comparable to newer statistics. Older statistics are missing estimates of packaging quantities that are not included in the reports from producers and producer organisations. In addition, the recycling volume of packaging has included packaging waste that has been utilised in energy production after sorting.

See packaging statistics 2003–2019 (pdf, in Finnish).

The Government Decree on the Separate Collection and Recycling of Wastepaper (270/2023) states that at least 85% of the paper products placed on the market must be recycled annually. This target was reached in 2024 with a recycling rate of 86% (118,085 tonnes recycled). The increase from the previous year’s 77% is due to exceptionally large stocks being emptied for recycling. A total of 108,399 tonnes of paper was collected.

Waste paper is primarily used as a raw material for the paper and paperboard industry in Finland and abroad. Products made from waste paper include newsprint and envelopes. In the paperboard sector, wastepaper can be used as a raw material for coreboard, among other uses. Light-coloured office paper, which is collected separately, is used for soft tissue paper products, e.g. kitchen roll and toilet paper. Newsprint is also used as a raw material for insulating wool.

On paper statistics 

Paper statistics are based on data reported by producer organisations to the Finnish Supervisory Agency (previously to the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre) and foreign trade statistics from the Finnish Customs. Foreign trade statistics included here are the import volumes of graph paper and import and export volumes of paper products. 

Paper statistics starting from 2022 (pdf, in Finnish).

In 2024, over 63,000 tonnes of discarded tyres were collected in Finland, and over 65,000 tonnes were recovered. This exceeds the annual target which states that a minimum 95% of tyres placed on the market should be prepared for reuse, recycled, or otherwise recovered.

Tyres are recovered as whole tyres, shreds, or ground material for various road and excavation sites. Granulate is used in softer surface structures, for example on sports fields and playgrounds. Fine rubber particles are used as a binding agent for asphalt to reduce tyre noise and increase durability against wear. If the tyre casings are in good condition, they can be retreaded.

The attached table shows the statistics since 2007. The statistics are based on data from the producer organisation reported to the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

See tyre statistics 2007–2024 (pdf, in Finnish).

Since 2019, the collection target for electrical and electronic equipment has been at least 65% in relation to the average weight of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in the preceding three years. In 2023, the collection rate was 45.9%, even though approximately 13.2 kg of electrical and electronic equipment per capita was collected in Finland that same year.

Electrical and electronic equipment is classified into six different categories under the related Government Decree. Each category lists the recovery, recycling, and reuse targets for the products in the category, the achievement of which is the responsibility of the producers.

Reuse, recycling, and recovery targets for collected equipment:

• Temperature exchange equipment (category 1) and other large equipment (category 4): recovery target 85%, reuse and recycling target 80%.
• Screens (category 2): recovery target 80%, reuse and recycling target 70%.
• Small equipment (category 5) and small IT and telecommunication equipment (category 6): recovery target 75%, reuse and recycling target 55%.
• Lamps (category 3): recycling target 80%.

In 2023, the recycling target was not achieved in category 3. Targets were achieved in the other categories.

See statistics on electrical and electronic equipment from 2023 (pdf, in Finnish).

See statistics on electrical and electronic equipment from 2022 (pdf, in Finnish).

See statistics on electrical and electronic equipment from 2021 (pdf, in Finnish).

See statistics on electrical and electronic equipment from 2020 (pdf, in Finnish).

See statistics on electrical and electronic equipment from 2019 (pdf, in Finnish).

See statistics on electrical and electronic equipment 2008-2018 (pdf, in Finnish).