VANA – Dansk Emballageansvar
Denmark
VANA – Dansk Emballageansvar was established in November 2021 by The Danish Agriculture & Food Council, The Danish Chamber of Commerce, The Confederation of Danish Industry, The Branded Goods Association, and The Federation of Retail Grocers in Denmark. Its mission is to create a full-cost Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for packaging waste management, set to launch in January 2025.
As a not-for-profit, industry-led EPR scheme, VANA is committed to developing a sustainable and efficient solutionthat benefits both businesses and the environment. Its goal is to engage the 40,000+ Danish companies that will be affected by the new EPR regulations and provide them with a comprehensive, collective system that ensures compliance and promotes sustainability.
VANA oversees the entire packaging lifecycle—from production and consumption to collection, sorting, and recycling—helping billions of packaging units find new life as recycled materials. This holistic approach provides businesses, consumers, and the environment with a responsible and effective waste management system.
Driving Change Through Collaboration
VANA works in close cooperation with producers, authorities, and the recycling industry to tackle packaging waste. By fostering strong partnerships, VANA aims to:
✔️ Reduce overall packaging consumption
✔️ Increase packaging reuse and recycling
✔️ Ensure compliance with Danish and European EPR regulations
By taking collective responsibility, VANA ensures that Denmark remains at the forefront of sustainable packaging waste management.
System Description
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Legal Framework
VANA operates under the political agreement on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, reached in September 2022.
On 19 December, the Danish Parliament adopted the amendments to the Environmental Protection Act that form the legal framework for the producer responsibility in Denmark. Just before the turn of the year – on 30 December 2024 – the Ministry of the Environment and Gender Equality followed up with the issuance of the executive orders which define the more concrete rules for the two new producer responsibilities: the Packaging Order and the Clean-up Order. Find more information about the Environmental Protection Act and the two new executive orders here.
Structure and Oversight
While detailed information about the Board of Directors and specific committees is not publicly available, VANA operates with a Code of Conduct, emphasizing transparency, sustainability, and compliance (Code of Conduct).
VANA is one of seven Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) in Denmark, playing a crucial role in managing packaging waste through efficient collection, sorting, and recycling. More information about VANA’s governance and activities can be found on their official website: VANA Governance.
GOVERNANCE
VANA A/S is a limited liability company (Aktieselskab – A/S) registered in Denmark, founded in 2021 to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging waste management. Unlike traditional packaging recovery organizations (PROs), VANA operates as a stock-based corporation, where shareholders’ liability is limited to their investment in the company.
The organization is jointly owned by key industry stakeholders, including:
- Dansk Industri (Confederation of Danish Industry)
- Landbrug & Fødevarer (Danish Agriculture & Food Council)
- Dansk Erhverv (Danish Chamber of Commerce)
- DagSam (The Grocery Industry’s Cooperation Committee)
This structure ensures that the obligated industry maintains direct control over the system while aligning with Denmark’s circular economy and sustainability goals.
Board of Directors
VANA’s Board of Directors consists of representatives from its founding organizations, ensuring a well-balanced governance structure.
- Karin Klitgaard – Deputy Director, Dansk Industri (Chairman of the Board)
- John Wagner – DagSam (Vice Chairman)
- Henrik Hyltoft – Deputy Director, Dansk Erhverv (Board Member)
- Andreas Hastrup Clemmensen – Chief Consultant, Dansk Erhverv (Board Member)
- Anette Christiansen – Environmental Executive, Landbrug & Fødevarer (Board Member)
- Jan Laustsen – International Manager, Landbrug & Fødevarer (Board Member)
- Leif Nielsen – CEO, MLDK – Mærkevareleverandørerne (Board Member)
- Jakob Lave – Industry Director, Dansk Industri Fødevarer (Board Member)
Committees & Compliance
VANA does not have additional committees, such as a Fee Determination Committee or Stakeholder Advisory Committee. However, it adheres to high ethical and operational standards, as outlined in its Code of Conduct.
Role in Denmark’s EPR System
As of 2024, Denmark has seven PROs, with VANA playing a pivotal role in ensuring industry compliance with EPR regulations. By overseeing efficient packaging waste management, VANA supports the transition towards a circular economy, reducing environmental impact while fostering sustainable business practices.
For more information, visit VANA’s official website.
Communication activities
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You can find the latest news about VANA here:
Prevention
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VANA supports packaging waste prevention as a core part of Extended Producer Responsibility. Through the modulation of its fees, VANA gives producers a financial incentive to reduce the packaging they place on the market and to design it for reuse and recycling: simpler, more recyclable packaging costs less, while unnecessary or hard-to-recycle packaging costs more.
VANA also guides its members on eco-design and on meeting the new Danish and EU requirements, helping them prevent waste before it is created and keep materials in use for as long as possible. More information here
Contact
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VANA
Vesterbrogade 6D, 2. Floor
DK-1620 Copenhagen V
Telephone: +45 5353 3244
Website:
VANA – Dansk Emballageansvar