Recycling is about conserving resources: in 2024, Interzero saved approximately 1.04 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 8.09 million tonnes of primary resources
A study by Fraunhofer UMSICHT again confirms the positive impact of circular solutions and recycling on climate and resource savings. By recycling 1.94 million tonnes of materials in 2024, Interzero saved around 1.04 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 8.09 million tonnes of primary resources. The main factor for these savings at Interzero was the circular management of plastics.
Berlin/Cologne
Securing the future through the circular economy: recycling is an effective tool for reducing pressure on the planet and meeting Europe's climate neutrality targets. The Interzero study "resources SAVED by recycling 2024", published today, illustrates the tangible benefits for climate and resource protection: according to calculations by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, Europe's leading provider of closed-loop economy services recycled around 1.94 million tonnes of materials in 2024, saving 8.09 million tonnes of primary resources. This is equivalent to the weight of more than four million SUVs*. At the same time, Interzero's recycling activities avoided a total of 1.04 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. This is equal to the CO₂ emissions from around 3.2 million individual car journeys between Interzero's locations in Warsaw and Valencia**.
"Every resource counts - the circular economy combines resource conservation with responsibility for future generations." says Jan Kroker, CEO of Interzero Group. "Together with our customers, we drive sustainable innovation that delivers environmental benefits and increases economic competitiveness."
Example: With its internationally recognised Competence Centre for Recycled Plastics, Interzero supports industry and trade in the transition to recyclable plastic packaging and the use of recycled materials. This allows companies to better position themselves in the market - and also to meet the legal requirements of the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which came into force in February 2025.
The results of the Fraunhofer UMSICHT study also underline the importance of consistent recycling, particularly in plastics and lightweight packaging: this fraction accounts for 49.9% of the total amount of materials recycled - and is responsible for the greatest environmental impact: in 2024, Interzero achieved 54% of resource savings and as much as 62% of total greenhouse gas savings by recycling petroleum-based materials.
"These figures confirm our commitment to modern plastics recycling and motivate us to further improve our recycling of Yellow Bag packaging waste," says Jan Kroker.
From household waste segregation to advanced sorting and processing: many elements need to work smoothly for raw materials to be efficiently recycled. With the study "resources SAVED by recycling", Interzero has been providing important arguments for circular transformation for more than 15 years. The annual Fraunhofer UMSICHT calculations not only demonstrate the positive environmental effects of Interzero's activities, but also support the company's customers in communicating transparently about sustainability.
* Conversion examples are based on (sources):
https://www.autoscout24.de/informieren/ratgeber/kfz-technik/gewicht-von-autos-frueher-und-heute/
** Basis of calculation: average CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars registered in Germany in 2024 according to the Federal Office for Motor Transport, www.kba.de.
Leaflet for the study "resources SAVED by recycling" 2024
About Interzero
Interzero is one of the leading providers of product, material and logistics closure services and an innovation leader in plastics recycling with the largest sorting capacity in Europe. Under the slogan 'zero waste solutions', the company supports more than 80,000 customers across Europe in the responsible management of recyclable materials, helping them to improve their own sustainability performance and save primary resources. With around 2,000 employees, the company has a turnover close to one billion euros. According to Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Interzero's recycling activities could save 1.04 million tonnes of greenhouse gases compared to primary production and 8.09 million tonnes of primary raw materials in 2024 alone. As a pioneer of the circular economy, Interzero is the winner of the German Sustainability Award and a related special award in the field of 'Resources' for 2024.