Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd
Finland
The Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd. is a non-profit firm, operating in conjunction with producer organisations in the packaging sector. It helps firms registered with RINKI and the authorities to fulfil packaging recovery obligations economically and easily.
The highest decision making body is General Meeting which nominates board for 2 years. Board is responsible for fulfilment of ERO’s targets. The Board consists of 6 members. To achieve its goals, board has formed office and hired Managing Director. Managing Director runs ERO with 6 employees.
ERO is a collaborative industry body through which businesses work together to achieve the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. Membership is open to all types of obligated companies including manufacturers, converters, packer/fillers, sellers and also all sectors of industry. It aims to take the pressure away from businesses that would find it difficult and time consuming to comply with any legislation on an individual basis.
System Description
Your Subtitle Goes Here
The Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd operates in conjunction with the producer organisations for the packaging sector. It assists firms registered with the company and the authorities to fulfil the obligations pursuant to the EU packaging directive and corresponding Finnish legislation economically and easily.
By making a contract with RINKI a firm transfers the recovery obligations for the packaging it has placed on the market to the producer organisations. The firm does not then have to take care of packaging recovery at its own costs or to report to the authorities on how it has arranged recovery. The producer organisations are responsible for the attainment of recovery targets.
Recovery is funded through recovery fees invoiced by RINKI and deposited without deductions into the accounts of the producer organisations. RINKI’s operations are funded through registration and annual fees paid by the registered firms. Both RINI and the producer organisations are non-profit organisations.
THE FINNISH PACKAGING RECYCLING RINKI LTD
- registers firms that have placed packaging on the market in Finland together with their products and have made a contract with PYR
- compiles statistics on the packaging materials and quantities annually reported by registered firms
- invoices the packaging material-specific recovery fees as authorised by the producer organisations
- reports to the authorities on the packaging statistics compiled by the company and on registered firms. The statistics are only shown in total quantities. The Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd does not forward any data on individual firms.
- offers advice on matters pertaining to recovery
- provides information
- protects the interests of packer
Producer responsibility for packaging will be extended in Finland when the obligation for organising the take-back of consumer packaging is transferred from municipalities to producers at the beginning of 2016. The Finnish Council of State approved a new decree for packaging and packaging waste in July 2014. The decree stipulates that producers will have to take back fibre, metal and glass packaging at a minimum of 1850 take-back points and plastic packaging at 500 take-back points. In addition, more stringent targets have been placed on the reuse of packaging and the recycling of packaging waste.
Producer responsibility for packaging
Producer responsibility for packaging applies to producers or firms that pack or import packed products for the Finnish market and have a turnover of EUR 1 million or more. Firms may transfer their legal obligation to producer organisations by making a contract with the Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd. By making just one contract with RINKI a firm simultaneously becomes a member of the respective producer organisations responsible for attaining the recycling targets for fibre, metal, plastic, glass and wooden packaging.
Consumer packaging take-back scheme
Planning of the take-back scheme is progressing rapidly in Finland. Take-back will be organised by the Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd. This is the result of a joint decision taken on 26 May, 2014 by the producer organisations: Mepak-Kierrätys Oy (metal), Suomen Keräyslasiyhdistys ry (glass), Suomen Kuitukierrätys ry (fibre) and Suomen Uusiomuovi Oy (plastic). In addition, Suomen Keräyslasiyhdistys Oy and RINKI Ltd have agreed that RINKI Ltd will organise glass recycling. EPR will enter into force in May 2015. The waste take-back network must be in operation in January 2016.
Communication activities
Your Subtitle Goes Here
A firm with its name entered on the list of firms registered with RINKI on the RINKI website is entitled to use the RINKI trademark and RINKI’s annually issued certificate of membership.
By using the RINKI trademark and certificate a firm can easily convey a message to its customers and proof to stakeholders that it is meeting its responsibility to the environment in relation to the recovery of packaging, which is a means to improving its image. A firm may use the RINKI trademark, for instance, on its packaging, on its website, in advertising and its printed matter.
Websites
RINKI’s websites are a useful source of information. RINKI’s website at https://rinkiin.fi/kotitalouksille/ contains, for example, instructions on how to fill in the packaging data declaration form, the latest recovery statistics, prices and information about relevant legislation. A website is being developed specifically for consumers. A key message on the new website for consumers will be “sort correctly – take back packaging for recycling”.
RINKI Info magazine
The RINKI Info magazine for stakeholders appears four times a year with a circulation of 9,000 copies in print and on the net in electronic format. English summary: rinkiin.fi/for-households/
The communication strategy for the take-back of consumer packaging
Communication tools in conformance with the strategy for the take-back of consumer packaging are currently under development. Similarly, customer service is also being developed at present.
Effective cooperation with local waste management companies lies at the core of communications plans. The aim is that each Finnish home is informed where the nearest take-back site for packaging waste is located. By means of communications we wish to motivate people to deliver properly sorted packaging waste to take-back sites.
Prevention
Your Subtitle Goes Here
Almost all products are packaged in some kind of packaging. Packaging protects products from the environment and also the environment from the products.
Empty packaging must be recycled, of course. This way, it can then be used as a raw material for the manufacture of new products, which saves energy and natural resources and mitigates climate change. Sorting and recycling are part of sustainable consumption; they are eco actions we can all include in our daily routines.
BASIC STUDIES
Packaging comes in different sizes, designs and materials. All types of packaging serve the same purpose: they do their best to protect products. When the packaging has done its job, it needs to be recycled. Your nearest recycling container can be found either at the building where you live or at a Rinki eco take-back point.
Dirty packaging must not be put into recycling containers, but rinsing the packaging is enough. A good rule of thumb is for the packaging to be clean enough for you to store it at home without it starting to smell. It is better to put very dirty used packaging into a mixed waste bin. Please remember that each recycling container is meant for consumer packaging waste made of a specific material, so don’t put any other materials in them.
ADVANCED STUDIES
Recycling is not rocket science and its benefits are also quite easy to understand. Benefits for the environment: it is important to keep materials in circulation for as long as possible. When we recycle packaging, we reduce the collection, transport and handling of new raw materials, which, in turn, saves energy. And when we decrease our energy consumption, we also generate less carbon dioxide. Recycling is perhaps the easiest way to fight climate change.
Benefits for you: you save money by sorting and recycling, as emptying a mixed waste bin is more expensive than other waste. The most valuable thing, however, is feeling that you have done your bit for the well-being of our planet.
The statutory recovery obligations for packaging apply to packers and importers of packed products with a turnover of EUR 1m or over.
Recovery activities are financed through recovery fees, which RINKI invoices and deposits in the producer organisation’s accounts without reductions. RINKI’s operations, on the other hand, are financed through registration and annual fees paid by registered firms. Both RINKI Ltd and the producer organisations are non-profit organisations.
RINKI Ltd’s registration and annual fees are based on the firm’s turnover. Firms that have combined several locations in one contract receive a discount on their registration and annual fees.
Recovery fees are set by the producer organisations. The invoices sent to firms are based on the packaging quantities declared to RINKI by packers and importers for the previous year.
Contact
Your Subtitle Goes Here
Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd
Mikonkatu 15 B
FI-00100 HELSINKI
FINLAND
Phone: +3589 616 230
Fax: +3589 6162 3100
E-mail: info@rinkiin.fi
Web: https://rinkiin.fi/for-households/