 A more sustainable future for households globally, a Nordic houseware company has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, revealing tangible progress in its commitment to the circular economy. The report highlights a significant increase in the utilisation of recycled and renewable materials in their product lines, reaching 16.6 percent in 2024, up from 15.8 percent in the preceding year. This dedication to incorporating sustainable materials underscores a growing recognition within the consumer goods sector of the urgent need to decouple production from the extraction of virgin resources, a crucial step in mitigating environmental impact and fostering a more responsible approach to manufacturing.
The company’s efforts extend beyond material sourcing, encompassing a holistic approach to resource efficiency. The report details a consistent improvement in energy efficiency, with energy consumption per kilogram of product decreasing by an impressive 9.5 percent compared to the 2020 average. This achievement is further amplified by the company’s commitment to utilising EPD-certified renewable hydropower electricity across all its manufacturing facilities, demonstrating a tangible link between operational practices and a reduced carbon footprint. Such initiatives offer valuable insights for industries worldwide striving to minimise their environmental impact through both cleaner energy sources and optimised production processes.
Beyond environmental metrics, the report also underscores the importance of social sustainability, revealing an improvement in employee satisfaction, with the Engagement Index rising to 81 (out of 100) in 2024 from 79 in 2023. This focus on employee well-being, alongside the reaffirmation of ethical business practices and sustainability through successful SMETA audits at key manufacturing sites, highlights a comprehensive commitment to responsible operations across the value chain. Furthermore, the company’s proactive engagement with broader sustainability initiatives, such as joining the Circular Economy Green Deal and setting ambitious targets for a low-carbon circular economy by 2035, signals a long-term vision that extends beyond immediate operational improvements.
In 2024, the company expanded its range of household products crafted from durable recycled plastic, introducing innovative solutions like storage baskets, biowaste bins, and stackable sorting bins. This strategic focus on developing and marketing products made from recycled and renewable materials has resonated with consumers, as evidenced by sales growth in this category being three times faster than the overall net sales growth. This market response underscores a growing consumer appetite for sustainable alternatives and the potential for businesses to drive circularity through product innovation that meets both functional needs and environmental consciousness.
While the company has made notable strides in reducing its relative carbon footprint (emissions per kilogram of product), which saw a slight decrease, its total emissions did experience an increase due to overall volume growth in sales. This highlights a common challenge faced by growing businesses in the transition to a low-carbon economy: the need to decouple economic expansion from increased emissions. The company acknowledges that despite the progress made, there remains significant work to be done in further reducing the carbon footprint of its products and operations.
The commitment to advancing the circular economy is further demonstrated through the company’s active participation in three research projects focused on enhancing the use of recycled and renewable plastics. Involvement in initiatives like the Borealis SPIRIT program, exploring food-safe recycled plastics, and the PlastLIFE SIP-EU project, which has already led to the development of products using innovative recycled materials, showcases a proactive approach to overcoming technological barriers and expanding the possibilities of circular material use. Additionally, the company’s role in the Reusify project, aimed at replacing single-use packaging with reusable alternatives, reflects a broader commitment to tackling the pervasive issue of single-use plastics and promoting more sustainable consumption patterns.
The Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer of the company expressed pride in the advancements made, while also acknowledging the ongoing journey towards greater sustainability. The focus remains on offering consumers practical, high-quality, and long-lasting products that empower them to participate in the circular economy, both through facilitating waste sorting at home and ensuring the full recyclability of products at the end of their lifecycle across all markets. This consumer-centric approach, coupled with a clear commitment to reducing environmental impact, positions the company as a potentially influential player in the broader transition towards a more circular and sustainable future for households worldwide.
