H11. Waste

Essity’s target is that all production waste will be subject to material and energy recovery by 2030. In 2019, Essity’s production waste amounted to a total of 1.68 (1.65; 1.67) million tons. In Essity’s production process, particularly when recovered fiber is used as input goods, waste is generated in the form of ash, sludge, organic waste and plastic. The production sites work to reduce waste and to find alternative solutions for their waste. Recycled waste can be used as raw materials for other industries, such as the cement, brick-making and construction industries. Waste can also be used for energy extraction. Waste that cannot be recovered, is sent to landfill or composted. In 2019, 63% (60; 62) of Essity’s waste was recovered.

By reducing the amount of production waste sent to landfill and instead recycling the waste or extracting energy from it, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, thereby helping Essity to achieve its Science Based Targets (Scope 3).

A small proportion (1% or 16,000 tons) is hazardous waste, which is primarily waste oil, but also includes organic solvents, batteries and strip lights.

Waste

Waste (bar chart)
Solid waste

 

 

Essity

 

Group companies with significant non-controlling interests

 

Essity Group

 

 

Consumer Tissue and
Professional Hygiene

 

Personal Care

 

Tissue and Personal Care

 

 

 

 

2019

2018

2017

 

2019

2018

2017

 

2019

2018

2017

 

2019

2018

2017

Landfill and incineration

tons

562,383

654,295

621,047

 

4,690

4,711

5,599

 

6,081

8,104

7,305

 

573,154

667,110

633,951

Recovery

tons

924,422

819,019

882,185

 

53,919

56,143

55,887

 

124,705

111,548

102,392

 

1,103,046

986,710

1,040,464

Total waste

tons

1,486,805

1,473,314

1,503,232

 

58,609

60,854

61,486

 

130,786

119,652

109,697

 

1,676,200

1,653,820

1,674,415