+++ Study by Fraunhofer UMSICHT proves positive environmental effects of recycling
+++ Interzero will save around 1.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gases and 11.1 million tonnes of primary resources in 2023
+++ Europe’s leading circular economy service provider is driving textile recycling forward: Enormous potential for climate and resource protection

Vienna, October 8, 2024. More recycling, less wasted resources: The recycling of raw materials is an effective lever to counteract the exploitation of our planet and prevent a further escalation of the climate crisis. The study “resources SAVED by recycling” published today proves this with clear facts: In 2023, Europe’s leading circular economy service provider Interzero avoided a total of 1.2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by recycling around 2.5 million tons of recyclable materials. This corresponds to the annual _CO2 emissions caused by 4.5 million EU citizens through their textile consumption alone. At the same time, Interzero and its customers were able to save over 11.1 million tons of primary resources . This amount is comparable to the raw material consumption caused by around 28.6 million people in the EU in one year through their textile consumption.* “ Looking at textiles as a recyclable material, it becomes clear what enormous ecological potential there is in recycling – and why it is urgently necessary to drive forward the circular transformation of the economy at all levels ,” says Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman and shareholder of Interzero. “ This is particularly true for recyclable materials that are not yet consistently recycled today .” Unlike packaging recycling, for example, textile recycling is still in its infancy: around 92 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year worldwide. So far, however, only one percent of the huge material flow goes into fibre-to-fibre recycling and thus back into the production cycle. “ Together with the industry, we want to close the textile cycle and use our experience as an established system service provider to develop a holistic concept for take-back, sorting and recycling,” says Dr. Axel Schweitzer . “ In this way, we are easing the burden on the environment and supporting companies in becoming circular, i.e. future-proof and competitive .” Time is of the essence, as new EU regulations such as the separate collection requirement from 2025 or the planned producer responsibility for textiles (EPR), as well as the Austrian federal government’s circular economy strategy , are increasing the pressure to act .

“With our comprehensive services, we already enable companies to keep a wide variety of recyclable materials in the cycle and thus meet the requirements of regulations – such as the PPWR. In the future, we will also make this possible for textiles “, says Thomas Glatz , Managing Director at Interzero in Austria . Inform, educate and provide solid arguments for the circular transformation of the economy : With this goal in mind, Interzero has been having the environmental impacts of recycling independently scientifically reviewed for over 15 years. The annual life cycle assessment by the Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology Fraunhofer UMSICHT demonstrates the sustainable impact of Interzero’s work – and supports the circular economy service provider’s customers in transparent sustainability communication. For its holistic commitment, Interzero was awarded the German Sustainability Award 2024 in the “Waste Disposal and Recycling Industry” category and also the special prize in the resources transformation field.

*The conversion examples are based on figures from the European Parliament.

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Thanks and Outlook

Special thanks go to our entire team and all the dedicated volunteers who are helping out everywhere. Even small steps take us further, and we remain motivated to take responsibility – for nature and future generations. Quote from Mag. Thomas Glatz , Managing Director of Interzero Austria: “World Cleanup Day is an important part of our mission to continuously postpone Earth Overshoot Day. Especially after the severe storms of the last few days, our commitment to a clean environment is more important than ever. Together we can achieve a lot – every small contribution counts.”

Read more at: Interzero Plastics Innovations celebrates move into new laboratory and office space

Did you know that we make rubber boots from production waste from car windows?

Interzero’s “Glass Loop Project” shows how circular economy works in practice. Instead of simply disposing of the leftovers from the production of car windows, we recover PVB film residues and recycle them into granulate . This granulate then serves as the starting material for the production of rubber boots – a perfect example of how we convert waste into valuable resources and thus close the loop. This project is part of our comprehensive Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) approach. With IES, Interzero offers companies tailor-made solutions to minimize their waste streams, use resources more efficiently and at the same time achieve economic benefits. Through the innovative use of recycling technologies, we support companies not only in reducing waste but also in tapping into new value creation potential .

More than just waste management

Interzero’s IES goes far beyond traditional approaches to waste management. It is a holistic concept that helps companies achieve their sustainability goals while increasing operational efficiency. The transformation of production waste into recyclable materials – as in the “Glass Loop Project” – illustrates how waste can not only be avoided, but can also be turned into an economic advantage .

Future-oriented solutions for sustainable success

Consumer preferences are changing and sustainability is increasingly becoming a key factor in purchasing decisions. Companies that focus on circular economy and sustainable business models not only secure environmental benefits but also a clear competitive advantage .

Sustainability with measurable added value

Interzero’s approach to the circular economy shows that environmental protection and economic success can go hand in hand. With projects like the Glass Loop, we create innovative solutions that not only protect the environment but also bring economic benefits – be it by reducing costs or opening up new sources of income through the recycling of waste. Watch our video to learn how the “Glass Loop Project” works and how IES can help your company turn waste into valuable resources. Shape a sustainable future with us!

The challenge of waste management is clear: waste and recyclables not only take up valuable space, but also cause high transport and disposal costs. However, the solution is obvious – with Interzero’s modern machines and presses, you can turn these burdens into advantages. Our balers and compactors are specially designed to reduce the volume of cardboard, plastic and mixed waste by up to 80% . This not only means less space consumption , but also more efficient storage and handling . Whether for large retail chains, industrial companies or small businesses – our machines offer a flexible solution for optimizing waste processes. The advantages are obvious: compacting waste not only drastically reduces transport costs , but also improves your environmental footprint . Fewer trips mean fewer emissions, and at the same time, logistical effort is reduced. In addition, you regain valuable storage space that can be used for other purposes. But Interzero goes one step further: our machines are easy to use and require minimal maintenance. This not only saves time, but also reduces operating costs. Thanks to their durability and efficiency , as well as comprehensive service from a single source, they ensure that your business runs smoothly. A particular advantage of our solutions is the ability to view waste as a valuable resource . In many cases, recyclable materials such as cardboard or plastics can not only be stored more efficiently, but can even be sold profitably. This transforms waste from a cost factor into an additional source of income .

Take the next step towards more sustainable and efficient waste management – contact us today!

Find out more about Interzero’s innovative machines and how they can revolutionize your waste management. Watch our explainer video for a deeper insight and learn how you can save storage space, time and costs. Find out more about our machines in our Selection Guide:

Innovation needs space – not just freedom of thought to be able to think of new things and ask the right questions, but also in practice. With the new laboratory and office space in Lenart, Slovenia, the Interzero Plastics Innovations competence center is creating optimal conditions to further expand its leading role in the field of circular economy. This step is a significant milestone on the way to realizing the vision of a world without waste. High-ranking guests from politics, business and the press attended the ceremonial opening of the new location. Among them were the Chairman and shareholder of Interzero, Dr. Axel Schweitzer , the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar , and the German Ambassador Sylvia Groneick , both of whom emphasized the importance of Interzero’s innovation work for a sustainable future. “We must really internalize the sustainable use of goods and packaging, in other words, move from a linear to a circular economy,” said Dr. Axel Schweitzer in his opening speech. “In order to be able to keep more materials in circulation, the recyclability of packaging must be considered from the outset. We need innovative solutions for the materials and products that are not yet circular today.” Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia and keynote speaker at the event, also emphasized in her speech the inevitability of the switch to circular and sustainable use of plastics as well as efficient reuse and recycling. “In order to achieve truly significant results, the problem must be addressed holistically across the entire life cycle of plastic products and materials and across national borders.” To this end, she will continue to count on the knowledge and innovative solutions of the competence center, the President continued. The services of the internationally accredited laboratory are specifically geared to the needs of the economy. In addition to research and development, the focus of the laboratory is on developing solutions that help companies manufacture new products from high-quality recyclates . The competence center’s activities also include advice on cost and energy optimization in production and on processing plastics from various raw material sources . “Through evaluation and analysis, we supply our customers with high-quality recycled plastics tailored to their needs that have comparable or even better technical properties than primary raw materials and thus represent a sustainable alternative,” says Dr. Manica Ulčnik-Krump, head of the facility. The possible applications for these materials are extremely diverse – from household, sports and leisure products to packaging and designer furniture. With the opening of the new premises, Interzero is once again underlining its claim to drive the transition to a circular economy through pioneering technologies and sustainable solutions .

On August 1, all of the earth’s natural resources available to humans for the year 2024 will be used up – according to calculations by the Global Footprint Network (GFN). Without Interzero’s recycling activities and innovative circular solutions, this critical point would have been exceeded even earlier: GFN’s survey shows that Interzero, together with its approximately 50,000 customers , has managed to postpone the Earth Overshoot by 7:12 minutes . The circular economy service provider is thus once again demonstrating the positive influence of its service portfolio.

“Together with our customers, we want to generate real impact. With the vision of a world without waste , in which the available resources are used sustainably and responsibly, firmly in sight, we are always looking for new ways to push back Earth Overshoot Day. With measurable success “, says Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman and shareholder of Interzero . In order to postpone Earth Overshoot Day further, it is necessary for both companies and consumers to take responsibility for the sustainable handling of goods and packaging along the entire value chain. Starting with product design – in terms of durability, repairability and recyclability – through to reuse and recycling.

“Under the motto “Move the Date”, we have succeeded in delaying Earth Overshoot Day 2024 by 7:12 minutes through consistent action together with our customers. This motivates us to continue to keep recyclable materials of all kinds in circulation through innovative environmental solutions.” , says Thomas Glatz, Managing Director at Interzero Austria . ” Thanks to the latest sorting technologies, we are able to achieve even higher recycling rates in order to further conserve the already limited primary resources .” Interzero works together with its customers to conserve natural resources. For example, the outdoor brand VAUDÉ was able to use Interzero’s expertise to develop the first bicycle bag made entirely from recycled plastic packaging waste. Interzero’s packaging experts are working with ALDI on the continuous optimization of its own-brand packaging , and the energy supplier EnBW is also relying on the know-how of our colleagues in Germany when it comes to IT refurbishment. Read more at: Earth Overshoot Day delayed by 7 minutes: Interzero’s circular solutions are having an impact

Many SMEs are already being inundated with requests to provide data on ESG factors along their supply chains as well as key figures for their own company. But how do companies that have few resources and no time for this get reliable and robust figures? The requests for these figures and data are based on the one hand on the CSRD, which will be relevant for significantly more companies from 2025, and on the other hand on the new Supply Chain Act , which demands more transparency. However, there are numerous overlaps between the requirements for the CSRD and the Supply Chain Act – so if you set up the collection of these figures once, you are killing two birds with one stone. The Environmental Sustainability Dashboard (ESD) from Interzero is a modern solution for recording exactly the environmental key figures that are relevant for the CSRD and the Supply Chain Act. This also applies to the figures for Scope 3 – i.e. everything that occurs before value is added in your own company by suppliers and afterwards through transport, use and disposal of the products . The ESD meets the international standards GRI, GHG and CED. At the same time , the company retains control over its data . In order to collect the right key figures, Interzero’s support begins with the analysis of double materiality : What impact does the company’s activities have on the environment and society? How do external factors such as global warming affect the company? Based on this, relevant ESG aspects are identified and finally a strategy is developed to improve environmental performance, collect all the necessary figures and use them to create CSRD-compliant reports . There are already voluntary standards for ESG reporting for SMEs. On the one hand, this is the ideal preparation for the mandatory reporting that will soon be necessary. On the other hand, it promotes innovation in the company, makes it fit for the future and improves its competitiveness .

Further information:

You can find out more about Interzero’s Environmental Sustainability Dashboard here:
The Environmental Sustainability Dashboard

Do you have any questions? If you have any questions, please contact our expert Bennet Sumerauer

Read more:

You can also find another in-depth article on the topic at: https://leitbetriebe.at/interzero-anfragen-zu-esg-und-lieferkette-das-esd-von-interzero-liefert-verlaessliche-zahlen/

(Update 01.09.2024)
Due to many unanswered questions, we have developed a guide exclusively for our customers on the pragmatic implementation of the CSRD guidelines . In the guide, we present you with an overview of the CSRD – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive of the European Union. Sustainability is a key issue for all stakeholders. With our guide, we want to promote sustainability in industry and focus on the three fundamental areas of environment, social and corporate governance. It is our concern to provide precise and harmonized information that benefits everyone involved. Our goal is to convert these factors into practical models and implement them within your organization, taking ESG criteria into account. In addition to the guide, we offer a solution for measuring your sustainability indicators with the Environmental Sustainability Dashboard .
The dashboard enables companies to efficiently monitor and manage their environmental impacts. It offers user-friendly analytical tools that provide real-time data on water and energy consumption, waste management and many other environmental aspects. Through this data, companies can not only ensure their compliance with the CSRD but also make strategic decisions that advance their sustainability goals.

Learn more about the Environmental Sustainability Dashboard>> ESD<<

The Environmental Sustainability Dashboard (ESD) is Interzero’s solution that supports its clients in integrating sustainability into their business strategy through key consulting services. The ESD includes several steps, starting with context analysis and ending with the creation of a sustainability action plan. A key element is the ESD tool, an online platform that helps companies calculate various environmental, social and governance impacts of their core activities and/or products. The impacts are assessed in different dimensions such as emissions, energy, materials, water and waste. A wide range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be calculated, such as GHG emissions or material consumption. For each dimension, specific data is required to calculate the relevant results. Both input and output data are selected and generated based on common standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative, and referenced literature. The result information can be used not only for communication purposes but also for technical assessments and integrated into the corporate sustainability report. The ESD is available to companies of all sizes, regardless of whether they offer services or products.