H11. Waste

Essity’s target for production waste is that materials and energy will be recovered from all waste from all production units by 2030. In 2017, Essity’s production waste amounted to a total of 1.65 Mtons. In Essity’s production process, waste is generated in the form of ash, sludge, organic waste and/or plastic. The production sites proactively work to reduce waste and to find alternative solutions for their waste. In 2017, a significant part (1.02 million tons) was recovered as raw materials for other industries, such as the construction industry, or as an energy source. The remainder was sent to landfill.

The solid waste reported by Essity is waste that is sent to landfill and recycled waste. Recycled waste refers to materials that can be used as raw materials in other industries, such as the cement, brick-making and construction industries. The main types of recycled waste are ash, sludge, organic waste and plastics. A very small proportion (0.16% or 2,600 tons) is hazardous waste, which is primarily waste oil, but also includes organic solvents, batteries and strip lights.

Distribution of solid waste