Waste is not to be thrown away

The global population is growing – and with it a rapidly expanding middle class striving for western consumer standards. This development comes against the backdrop of a world with finite resources. Given this, it is clear that we cannot afford to squander our resources in the form of waste. Companies, too, are increasingly realizing that greater fluctuations in the prices of raw materials and growing supply risks for some raw materials are increasingly putting their business fundamentals at risk. So we must ask how waste can be turned into a resource – and in particular if it has the potential to replace these more expensive primary raw materials.

The key to avoiding waste or turning it back into a resource is the “three Rs” of reduce (reduce the need for and/or consumption of raw materials, materials and products), reuse and recycle (extend the life cycle of materials). Waste in this concept is considered a valuable substance. Our aim for materials that we no longer need is for them to be incorporated into a circular economy. In a functioning circular economy, raw materials are used more efficiently and waste is minimized. Nature is the prime example of this, as it does not generate any waste whatsoever.

At Greiner, we apply the EU Waste Framework Directive’s five-step waste hierarchy. It establishes an order of preference for managing and disposing of waste. The European waste hierarchy is defined as follows: prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal.

Total waste by waste type (t)

At Greiner, our goal is to deal with waste using this pyramid as a way of reducing our environmental impact. Our total waste volume, i.e. the sum of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, has risen by 27 percent since 2018. In absolute terms, this represents an increase of 5,477 tonnes. The sharp rise in hazardous waste in 2020 particularly stands out here. This is due to a stricter/more precise definition of hazardous waste in Europe. 

“At Greiner, we apply the EU Waste Framework Directive’s five-step waste hierarchy.”

The waste picture varies significantly between our divisions. Greiner Bio-One and NEVEON are particularly key drivers of the higher waste volume since 2018 (up 1,461 tonnes / 60 percent and up 4,673 tonnes/ 78 percent respectively). At Greiner Bio-One, this increase chiefly reflects higher production capacities and improved quality of data. At Neveon, the rise results in large part from the Eurofoam takeover. Waste quantities were considerably lower both at Greiner Packaging (down 529 tonnes / 5 percent) and at Greiner Extrusion (down 128 tonnes / 11 percent).

Total waste by waste type for each division (t)

Breakdown of non-hazardous waste (t)

Looking at the development of the disposal types of non-hazardous and hazardous waste, it is particularly positive to note that the amount of waste for which the disposal method is unknown has been greatly reduced. This means that we have a much better idea of how our waste is disposed of. This also creates an awareness of where we are in terms of achieving our goals. The increase in the amount of waste sent to landfill (+480 tonnes / +28 percent) in the last three years is almost equal to the total rise in waste (+27 percent) and so the share of waste sent to landfill remains unchanged at nine percent. This means that we have to address the 2,212 tonnes and find solutions to completely avoid sending any waste to landfill. Good data is a first step in the right direction to achieving this. Knowing what happens to our waste is a key concern at Greiner. On an even more positive note, we reduced the amount of waste for which the disposal method is unknown by almost six percent between 2018 and 2020.

Total waste by disposal method (t)¹

Our second waste-related goal is to increase the share of recycled waste and – as of 2020 – to establish a quantitative goal. A look at the data shows why this is important. The proportion of total waste that is recycled has declined slightly since 2018 to about 42 percent at present across Greiner. While more waste has been recycled in absolute terms since 2018, there has been no significant change in proportionate terms. Increased waste at Neveon is primarily due to incorporating Eurofoam.

We calculated the emissions generated by our operational waste for the first time in 2020. These came to a total of 8,608 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents. This calculation is based on the waste categories and the type of disposal. For example, waste sent to landfill has a higher emission factor than waste that is recycled or incinerated. This way, the following picture emerges:

Waste emissions (t CO₂e)

In a world where resources are in short supply, it is essential that we change our relationship to waste. Just like in nature, there is no waste in a circular economy. In a circular economy, what we call waste becomes the starting point for new materials and products. The ultimate aim of sustainability is thus to definitively eliminate waste. This is why we have formed a close partnership with cirplus as a pilot partner. cirplus is the global marketplace for recycled materials and plastic waste and aims to ease the transition to a new circular business model. Its goal is to take waste for what it is – a valuable resource. On cirplus, companies can buy and sell plastic waste as a resource. This is how we intend to recycle more of our waste. By 2022, we are also planning an environmental and waste policy that puts waste disposal and waste prevention at its heart.