Waste
Circularity is a material topic for Sandvik and we reuse and recycle to minimize the use of virgin raw materials and reduce waste.
Our most significant waste input is various forms of metal raw materials as our products are refined products based on metal handling. A metal raw material can be melted down and used many times, without compromising quality, which creates favorable conditions for circular material handling. We strive to increase recycled material in our products.
We systematically collect and categorize waste generated from our production processes to facilitate the reuse or recycling of the materials. Through buyback programs with our tooling customers, we retrieve and reintegrate the collected material back into our production cycles. Our commitment to sustainable waste management includes partnerships with external entities, including waste service companies, with whom we collaborate to explore innovative recycling methods for our waste streams. Each of our locations bears the responsibility of ensuring that third-party waste companies handle the waste in strict accordance with contractual and legislative obligations. Furthermore, all employees and contractors are responsible for accurate waste sorting and disposal.
Total actual waste increased by 12 percent to 371 ktons in 2024, primarily driven by an increased amount of tailings, digestion sludge and slag. With a few exceptions, waste is treated off-site.
Our overarching objective is to achieve a waste circularity of 90 percent by 2030. The current waste circularity rate stands at 74 percent (73). Circular waste is defined as reuse and recycling. In circularity rate reporting, we exclude tailings, digestion sludge, foundry sand and slag because we assess that it is not feasible in the foreseeable future to take further actions to avoid sending these fractions to landfill.
Data on waste
You find data on waste in the note for environmental footprint in our Annual report.
View data in the environmental footprint note in the Annual Report