H9. Waste

Essity’s target for production waste is that all waste from all production units will be subject to material and energy recovery by 2030. In 2018, Essity’s production waste amounted to a total of 1.65 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. In 2018, a significant part (1 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. This includes waste generated in the production process. Some of the waste can be composted or used for energy extraction. 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.

A very small proportion (0.2% or 3,200 tons) is hazardous waste, which is primarily waste oil, but also includes organic solvents, batteries and strip lights.

Waste