Circular system for reuse of plastic cable drums

Stricter EU packaging requirements that entered into force on January 1, 2024, are changing the conditions for many industries. Increased producer responsibility combined with higher fees is driving the need for more circular and resource-efficient solutions. For the cable industry, this means that the current management of plastic cable drums and reels must evolve. Against this background, Selcable and the Swedish Association of Electrical Wholesalers launched a joint initiative to establish an industry-wide return system.

Trossa was engaged to assess the feasibility of such a system and develop a proposal for how a circular return system could be designed and implemented across the entire value chain.

The project was carried out during 2025 and included dialogue with stakeholders throughout the value chain, from manufacturers to installers. The focus was on creating a shared understanding of the current situation and identifying scalable pathways forward. A key part of the assignment was bringing together different perspectives and driving the work forward in close collaboration with industry associations and their member companies.

Project outcomes

• A well-developed proposal for an industry-wide circular return system
• Clear decision-making support regarding responsibilities, system design, and potential impacts on different stakeholders in the value chain
• Identification of key questions and development areas for the next phase
• A shared understanding of the current situation and alignment on possible ways forward

More information about the project is available on the Swedish Association of Electrical Wholesalers’ website.