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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
In its annual study for the circular economy service provider Interzero, Fraunhofer UMSICHT examined the climate effects and resource savings achieved through recycling and circular economy solutions. In 2024, Interzero was able to save around 1.04 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 8.09 million tons of primary resources. The biggest driver of savings at Interzero: the recycling of plastics.
Fraunhofer UMSICHT has been investigating the environmental impact of recycling and circularity for Interzero for over 15 years. In the study "resources SAVED by recycling 2024" published today, the circular economy service provider Interzero announces the results for 2024: Around 1.94 million tons of recyclable materials were recycled, saving 8.09 million tons of primary resources. This corresponds to the weight of over four million SUVs.* At the same time, Interzero's recycling activities avoided a total of 1.04 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. This corresponds to the CO₂ emissions caused by around 3.2 million single trips by car between the Interzero locations in Warsaw and Valencia.**
"Our studies clearly show that recycling has a major positive impact on resource conservation and climate protection. Recycling and the implementation of appropriate circular economy strategies offer companies the opportunity to secure resources and thus make their supply a little more secure," explains Dr. Markus Hiebel, Head of Sustainability and Participation at Fraunhofer UMSICHT.
Recycling plastics with great leverage
The results of the Fraunhofer UMSICHT study also underscore the importance of consistent recycling, especially in the area of plastics and lightweight packaging: This fraction accounts for 49.9 percent of the total amount of recycled materials – and is also responsible for the lion's share of the ecological impact: Interzero 2024 achieved 54 percent of resource savings and as much as 62 percent of total greenhouse gas emission savings by recycling petroleum-based materials. "The figures confirm our commitment to modern plastics recycling and spur us on to further improve the recycling of packaging waste from yellow bags in particular," says Jan Kroker, CEO of the Interzero Group.
*/** The conversion examples are based on:
* https://www.autoscout24.de/informieren/ratgeber/kfz-technik/gewicht-von-autos-fr...
** Calculation basis: ⌀ CO2emissions of newly registered passenger cars in Germany in 2024 according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, www.kba.de
https://www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/en/circulareconomy/life-cycle-assessment.html (Landing Page LCA)
https://www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/en/about-fraunhofer-umsicht/departments/sustai... (Department Sustainability and Participation)
The results of the climate and resource balance 2024 for Interzero
Copyright: Fraunhofer UMSICHT
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The results of the climate and resource balance 2024 for Interzero
Copyright: Fraunhofer UMSICHT
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