Borås, Sweden – A City of Closed Loops
/I just returned from a trip to Borås, Sweden to learn more about the City’s ultimate goal to be free from fossil fuels.To achieve this dream, Borås recognizes and manages waste as a product with value that can be transformed into benefits such as district heating and cooling, biogas, and electricity.
MLM led the development of the technical tour and worked with representatives from Borås Energy and SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden to develop a three day program that included classroom learning and visits to the City’s waste collection stations and centers, the Sobacken waste recovery center, the Rya combined heat and power plant, Gåsslösa wastewater treatment plant, and Borås’s cultural and outdoor recreation spots. Tour participants included members of the American Public Works Association who wanted to learn more about Borås’s successes and challenges in developing a comprehensive waste to energy program so that they can apply this knowledge in their own communities.
Our hosts were Jessica Magnusson from SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, and Pär Carlson and Linda Eliasson from Borås Energy and Environment AB. Jessica, Pär, and Linda were generous with their time, knowledge and enthusiasm about the City’s successes in moving closer to the goal of zero fossil fuels.
In Borås the waste management operations are owned by the community and managed through the city council. Borås has approximately 102,000 residents. All are required to separate their household wastes into multiple streams, including packaging, metals, glass, plastics, paper, and batteries. Organic household waste is disposed of in black bags and remaining combustible waste in white bags. Ultimately 99% of Borås’s household waste is either recycled or used for energy recovery.
With respect to waste management and disposal in Europe, an accepted premise is the one who produces should pay. Fees are charged to the packaging industry to offset costs of disposal for packaging products. Pharmacies are required to accept old or unused pharmaceuticals to help keep them out of the water systems.
At the conclusion of the tour, participants shared their thoughts. Participants noted that Borås is successful in securing the support and participation of residents and government in the waste to energy programs. Borås has established an aggressive public outreach and education program that targets students, teachers, residents, and landlords. US participants also noted that communities are not taking full advantage of anaerobic digesters at treatment facilities to produce energy.
MLM and other tour participants will continue this exciting relationship with our friends in Borås to learn and share knowledge regarding our programs and policies to create sustainable communities.
American Public Works Association
SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden
Borås Energi och Miljö AB