Stockholm, Sweden, 23rd April 2025
Key highlights from Envac’s 2024 Sustainability Report include:
- 70% energy savings through automation in Swedish facilities.
- Up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions from reduced waste truck movement in specific installations.
- 94.7% user satisfaction with pneumatic waste systems in Spain. (External survey)
- 15% increase in plastic recycling in Stockholm Royal Seaport thanks to Envac ReFlow
- Roughly 50% drop in hospital infection risks due to sealed system for soiled linen collection. (External study)
- 25 years of successful city-wide operation in Majadahonda, Spain.
Climate and emissions impact
Envac’s automated waste collection system significantly improves energy efficiency, reducing power consumption by up to 70%. Its peak-shaving feature helps manage electricity usage by pausing operations when exceeding energy thresholds. This innovation lowers operational costs, decreases reliance on fossil fuels, and reduces carbon footprint. Carbon emissions are reduced by up to 90% in specific installations due to reduced waste truck traffic compared to traditional methods. Notably, in Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden, the technology has led to substantial energy savings for facility owners, demonstrating its effectiveness in promoting sustainability and efficiency in urban environments. On a similar note, Qingdao’s Cloud Bay Palace project in China exemplifies this progress. An automated waste collection system is operating at a remarkably low energy consumption rate of just 28 kWh per tonne, which is well below our ambitious future target. This is setting a benchmark for low-carbon city infrastructure.
Global urban success stories
Majadahonda, Spain, proudly reports that 70% of its population is served by the Envac automated waste collection system, which has operated uninterrupted for 25 years. User satisfaction in the area stands at an impressive 94.7%, with the top benefits highlighted as reliable operation (49.7%), comfort and convenience (27.5%), and improved cleanliness (24.4%).
The Stockholm Royal Seaport has witnessed the active participation of 975 households in the ReFlow initiative, a digital, data-driven solution designed to promote behavioural change towards resource circularity. The ReFlow citizen app has resulted in a 12% reduction in total waste and a 15% increase in plastic recycling rates, with 67% of users adopting new recycling habits at home. The survey, conducted by an independent third party, aimed to gather insights into user experience and key findings, thereby exceeding recycling and waste reduction targets.
Hospital hygiene and business responsibility
A recent study by students at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden highlights the role of a sealed pneumatic waste collection system in hospital hygiene. The study revealed that facilities utilising Envac experienced a staggering 49.3% reduction in bacterial colonies and more than a 50% decrease in potential healthcare-associated infections. This approach maximises patient safety and has significant financial implications, with potential cost savings of approximately €120 million for Sweden alone.
Moreover, the system aligns with six key UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting Good Health and Well-Being, Sustainable Cities, and Climate Action. By implementing a circular economy model, Envac’s technology enables organic waste to be converted to biogas while turning plastics into recyclables, where supporting infrastructure is in place.
”We are committed to being a reliable partner in advancing sustainability and supporting urban development. Our strategy focuses on helping customers make informed waste management decisions through our modern technology, improving energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions, and boosting safety. In 2024, we achieved significant outcomes, including decreased energy consumption, reduced hospital infection risks, and positive changes in user behaviour towards resource circularity. End-user feedback highlights strong satisfaction with our pneumatic waste collection system.” – Christer Lundberg, Global Sustainability & Quality Lead, Envac.
Looking ahead
In our commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance, we are preparing for the upcoming CSRD and CSDDD reporting requirements in accordance with EU regulations. We have set an ambitious target to reduce energy consumption to less than 50 kWh per tonne across all new installations by the year 2030. Additionally, we aim to significantly expand our ReFlow user base to over 100,000 users by 2027, having reached 20,000 users in 2024, further promoting our sustainable practices and innovative solutions in the industry.
“At Envac, sustainability is at the core of our mission: to develop smarter cities, improve quality of life in the present, and create a positive footprint by reducing our overall emissions, thereby contributing to a greener planet for future generations,” states Joakim Karlsson, CEO & President, Envac Group.
Press Contact: Christer Lundberg, email: christer.lundberg@envac.se
