We strive for a recycling system that is as resource-efficient as possible, where not only is the proportion of plastic recycled to a high standard high, but where recycling also has as little impact on the climate as possible. An efficient system means low emissions per tonne of recycled plastic.
We have a clear climate goal:
By 2030, we will have reduced climate-impacting emissions per tonne of recycled plastic by 80 per cent compared to the base year 2020.
To achieve this goal, we are working on several fronts, with transport being a priority area.
Fossil-free inbound transport by 2026
We are working with NPA (Näringslivets Producentansvar) to ensure that our inbound transport, which delivers plastic to Site Zero, is fossil-free by 1 January 2026. Several of our transporters already operate entirely or partially fossil-free, and we are working to sign new agreements with requirements for HVO100 or equivalent with the rest.
For transporters with a customer base where few other customers demand fossil-free alternatives, we also need to find ways to ensure that they refuel with biofuels corresponding to the transport work they perform on our behalf. The correct volumes and reporting must be ensured with the help of independent third-party certification.
Moving towards fossil-free inbound transport is a necessary part of our work towards our climate goal, which in turn helps to strengthen the climate performance of our sorting customers.
Challenges with outgoing transport
Converting our outgoing transport is more challenging, as we are dependent on international infrastructure and the pace of development. Some transport companies offer road transport using biofuels and rail transport for certain routes, but this is not widespread enough.
While we evaluate multimodal solutions and negotiate new fossil-free agreements, we use CarbonGo, a so-called inset solution. This means that we enable other transport companies to run on the equivalent amount of renewable fuel as for the journeys we have not yet managed to convert. This contributes to reduced emissions from the sector as a whole. We receive reports on the climate benefits generated by the solution, which helps us to follow up and report on our work. In this, we collaborate with Energifabriken, which supplies fuels with certified traceability, origin and raw materials. The fuel product is certified according to International Sustainability & Carbon Certification, and the inset solution is third-party audited by DNV.
Using an inset solution is an important complement while we continue to work on converting our own outgoing transport.
More efficient transport with return flows
To avoid empty trucks on certain routes, we have started a collaboration with a transport company that runs trucks on liquid biogas between Sweden and the Baltic States. The trucks transport other customers’ goods to Sweden and bring our materials back to our recyclers in that region. This collaboration is a good example of how we, together with others who share our high climate ambitions, can optimise transport flows and reduce emissions.
Climate targets for 2030
Transport needs will increase in the future as a result of larger collection volumes. Volumes are expected to increase partly because property-based collection will be implemented by 2027, and partly because more plastic packaging that has been incorrectly disposed of in residual waste will be sorted out. To achieve our goal of an 80 per cent reduction in emissions per tonne recycled by 2030, we must continue to streamline and transform our transport operations.
This work is an important piece of the puzzle in our climate roadmap, which will guide us towards our long-term goal.
Read more about our sustainability work in our sustainability report:
