Higher Packaging Fees in 2027: How Businesses Will Be Affected by NPA’s New Fees

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Starting January 1, 2027, packaging fees in Sweden will increase. For businesses placing packaging on the Swedish market, this means higher costs and an even greater focus on how packaging is designed and recycled. According to NPA (The Swedish Packaging Collection and Recycling System), the primary reason is the continued expansion of curbside packaging collection throughout the country.

If your company uses packaging for products, promotions, or retail materials, it is important to understand how the new packaging fees may affect your business.

What Is a Packaging Fee?

A packaging fee is the charge paid by producers to finance the collection and recycling of packaging. According to NPA, each package should bear its own cost, meaning that these fees are used to fund municipal collection, handling, and recycling of packaging waste.

All producers affiliated with NPA pay:

An annual fee of SEK 2,500.
Packaging fees based on the reported weight of packaging materials in kilograms.

Why Are Packaging Fees Increasing in 2027?

NPA has announced that packaging fees will increase from January 1, 2027. The main reason is the continued expansion of Sweden’s packaging collection system, particularly curbside collection, which must be available to all households by January 1, 2027.

Since 2024, municipalities have been responsible for collecting household packaging waste, while producers finance the system through packaging fees.

How Much Will Packaging Fees Increase in 2027?

NPA’s new fee structure means that the cost of several common packaging materials will increase from January 1, 2027. For businesses using large volumes of packaging, these changes may have a noticeable impact on overall costs.

For packaging that is compatible with material recycling, the fees will increase to:

Paper packaging: SEK 8.55/kg
Plastic packaging: SEK 16.62/kg

For comparison, the corresponding fees in 2026 are SEK 6.67/kg for paper and SEK 13.40/kg for plastic. This represents an increase of approximately 28% for paper packaging and approximately 24% for plastic packaging.

For companies using large quantities of cardboard, corrugated board, plastic wrapping, or other packaging materials, packaging fees will become an increasingly important factor when selecting materials and packaging designs. NPA also emphasizes that packaging that is easier to recycle will be subject to lower fees than packaging that is more difficult to recycle, making packaging design a strategic issue from both an environmental and cost perspective.

Packaging Design Is Becoming More Important

A key element of NPA’s model is the introduction of differentiated packaging fees. Packaging that is easier to recycle will incur lower fees than packaging that is harder to recycle. The purpose is to encourage the development of more recyclable packaging solutions.

For businesses, this means that packaging design is no longer just about branding and functionality. It is also about future costs.

What Does This Mean for Businesses?

All companies placing packaging on the Swedish market are covered by producer responsibility regulations and must be affiliated with an approved producer responsibility organization. Through these organizations, the collection and recycling of packaging are financed.

Before 2027, businesses should therefore:

Review their current packaging solutions.
Evaluate material choices and recyclability.
Plan for increased packaging fees.
Ensure that packaging reporting and documentation are accurate and compliant.

Summary: Packaging Fees in 2027

The higher packaging fees taking effect on January 1, 2027, are a result of Sweden’s continued investment in increased recycling and nationwide curbside packaging collection. For companies working with product packaging, retail materials, or promotional production, it is becoming more important than ever to think strategically about packaging design, material selection, and producer responsibility.

By preparing for the new packaging fees now, businesses can both reduce future costs and contribute to a more circular approach to packaging management.