Responsibility for the clean-up costs of single-use plastic (SUP)

For producers, the responsibility for the clean-up costs of single-use plastic (SUP) means that municipalities can apply for compensation for clean-up costs. The municipal compensation is paid by producers - i.e. manufacturers, importers, or packers - of certain single-use plastic products.

The entry into force of the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUP Directive), expanded the extended producer responsibility to obligate producers - i.e. manufacturers, importers or packers, and distance sellers - of certain single-use plastic products to compensate municipalities for the costs of preventing and cleaning litter caused by their products. These responsibilities are referred to as the producer’s responsibility for clean-up costs.

The responsibility for clean-up costs concerns public areas in municipalities. 

The responsibility for clean-up costs has entered into force in stages starting from 2023. The first year when municipalities were able to apply for compensation for clean-up costs was 2024. 

How do SUP producers take care of the clean-up costs?

Producers’ responsibility for clean-up costs applies to the following single-use products that contain plastic: 

• food product packaging
• beverage cups sold empty
• wet wipes
• balloons
• tobacco products with filters and cigarette filters 

The easiest way for SUP producers to comply with their extended producer responsibilities, including the responsibility for clean-up costs, is to join a producer organisation in their sector.

The producer organisation takes care of the obligations on behalf of the producer. Learn more here. 

How do municipalities receive their compensation?

Municipalities can receive compensation from producers of single-use plastics by submitting an annual report of the details required by the Waste Act to the Finnish Supervisory Authority by the end of May.

In 2026, the last day of May is a Sunday, therefore the deadline of the report is the next business day.

In 2026, municipalities must report the costs from 2025 by 1 June 2026, 16:15 o’clock.

Municipalities report the cost data electronically:

• Link to the e-service (sahkoinenasiointipalvelu.fi, in Finnish)

Find more information and instructions in the information boxes below and here.

Processing of applications
 

The Finnish Supervisory Authority processes the applications after the annual application period has ended and makes the decision on the compensation that producers are obligated to pay to municipalities.

The decision contains:

• the total amount of compensation to be paid by each producer organisation (or individual producer) in the producer register, itemised by product group and
• the total amount of compensation to be paid to each municipality.

The decision is notified to the producer organisation (or individual producer in the producer register) and to the municipalities that reported their costs.

Files

• Instructions on the responsibility of SUP producers for clean-up costs and reporting certain waste management and clean-up costs for 2026 (PDF, in Finnish)
• Instructions for municipalities on reporting SUP clean-up costs - technical instructions, E-service of the Producer Register (PDF, in Finnish)

See also

• Information for municipalities on the responsibility for clean-up costs
• Information for producers on the responsibility for clean-up costs

Contact information

Customer service for environmental issues

Ask our customer service by using service form (in Finnish)
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +358 295 256 920 (Monday–Friday 9:00–15:00)​