Waste hierarchy

Did you know that waste management is crucial for climate mitigation? At Sortera, we make sustainable waste management easy – and the waste hierarchy shows the way. 

Adapting waste management to the waste hierarchy is key to a circular economy. At Sortera, it is a cornerstone of our work to help our customers minimise their environmental footprint. By prioritising prevention and recycling, we support our customers in managing waste in accordance with both Swedish legislation and EU directives. 

What is the waste hierarchy?  

The waste hierarchy, which was introduced in the EU Waste Framework Directive in 2008 and incorporated into the Environmental Code in 2016, is a priority order for how waste should be managed: 

• Prevent: Design products that are durable, repairable and reusable.
• Prepare for recycling: Clean and repair products so they can be used again.
• Material recycling: Transform waste into new products or materials.
• Other recycling, such as energy recovery: Use waste for beneficial purposes such as energy recovery.
• Removal: Landfill waste or use incineration only when no other options are available. 

The construction sector – a resource-intensive industry 

The construction and civil engineering sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the EU. It accounts for 25-30 percent of all waste and just over a third of greenhouse gas emissions. At Sortera, we work to reduce these figures by helping our customers achieve the EU target: to ensure that at least 70 percent of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste should be reused or recycled. 

Sortera is here to help 

At Sortera, we offer tailored waste management solutions that help companies and businesses meet the requirements set out in the Environmental Code and EU directives. Some of our services include:  

• Training: We train companies in efficient sorting and logistics.
• Innovative solutions: For example, we convert stone waste into macadam that can be reused in new projects.
• Focus on optimising recycling: With the latest technology in our facilities and vehicles, we maximise recycling and minimise waste sent to landfill.  

Move waste up the hierarchy 

Sortera is a leading player in the waste industry, and we actively work to move waste up the waste hierarchy. This means that a smaller proportion of waste should be sent to landfill and energy recovery, while a larger proportion is converted into new materials and sustainable products. Right from the start of a project, we support our customers in working preventively to reduce waste. 

With our commitment to innovation and circular material flows, we are a reliable partner for companies that want to contribute to a more sustainable future. Contact us to find out how you can manage waste in a smarter way while contributing to a more sustainable future!