Using less more efficiently
Cutting Waste
The way to a low-carbon economy is through sustainable production patterns that produce less waste.
We are developing innovative methods to implement circular solutions, such as reducing waste during production, using by-products from other industries, and collaborating with other companies to design circular processes.
Reaching Zero Manufacturing Waste-to-Landfill
In 2020, despite the global pandemic, all our manufacturing sites achieved zero manufacturing waste-to-landfill. Some sites went beyond, obtaining third-party certification verifying that the entire site does not send any waste to landfill and that our waste management suppliers also carefully recycle or reuse it. For example, our Geneva site was successfully certified zero waste-to-landfill.
Our commitment for 2025 is to go beyond zero manufacturing waste-to-landfill to reach zero waste-to-landfill at all our manufacturing and non-manufacturing locations employing more than 50 people. In FY21, we successfully reduced our waste-to-landfill from 2.8% to 2.1% meaning that only 2.1% of our overall waste was sent to landfill.
Certified Paper & Pallets
Firmenich is acting swiftly to ensure 100% of our wood and paper packaging sourcing reaches FSC chain of custody certification by 2025.
Our European operations have already achieved 100% FSC certified boxes and pallets. China, Brazil & the USA should reach 100% certification by 2022.
Some of our 2025 Goals include:
Playing Our Part In Reducing Plastic
According to the United Nations, the world produces around 300 million metric tons of plastic waste per year. We are a business-to-business company, and our largest plastic footprint comes from our product drums. Our manufacturing sites are zero process waste-to-landfill, and our plastic drums are fully recyclable. We are committed to continue to address our plastic footprint in all our operations, buildings, packaging and labs.
This year, in collaboration with our customers and suppliers, we recycled over 4,700 IBCs in Europe, saving 180 metric tonnes of steel, 67 tonnes of plastic and avoiding 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Acting On Climate, Water And Waste
Urgent and concerted global action is needed to address climate change. We are acting to minimize our impact on climate change and aim to lead our industry towards zero carbon emissions.
