Three more Volvo CE sites achieve landfill-free status

Environmental care is a core value at Volvo CE, with a focus on reducing impact and conserving planetary resources. Volvo CE’s sites in Shanghai and Belley, which produce crawler excavators and compact excavators respectively, and the Jinan Technology Center join facilities in Changwon in Korea, Pederneiras in Brazil, Shippensburg in USA; and Hallsberg and Braås in Sweden, in reaching this important milestone.

Certification has been awarded following a comprehensive audit by the Volvo Group Environmental Coordination Group. The certificate not only demands that no waste ends up in landfill, but it also requires full management of all material waste streams and emphasizes ongoing improvements in line with the waste hierarchy principles. Achieving zero waste to landfill is a critical step towards the company meeting its goal of net zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 as part of its Science Based Targets initiative.

Niklas Nillroth, Head of Sustainability at Volvo CE, said: “Across our sites, we are continuing to improve and transform our operations making them more efficient and sustainable and reducing our carbon footprint. Our target is to ensure all sites achieve landfill-free status by the end of 2025, addressing the final 0.23% of waste still sent to landfill. This milestone exemplifies our dedication to lead by example. We share our progress to inspire others to join us and cultivate innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.”

Data-driven waste management

Each site faces its own unique set of challenges in waste management. However, they are united by a shared commitment to minimize waste from the outset and champion the transition to a circular economy. Initiatives include collaborating with suppliers to eliminate unnecessary packaging, reusing and repurposing materials – such as converting plant and food waste into organic farming inputs or using waste for heating – and extracting maximum benefit from products before they become waste.

Data plays a crucial role as an enabler for change, providing insights that help refine and enhance waste management practises. Comprehensive waste separation systems at every site ensure that as much waste as possible is recycled. Across Volvo CE, 85% of waste is recycled. Waste is separated, sorted, collected, classified and weighed before being transported to waste contractors for recycling or disposal.

Sustainability in site operation

Key to success across the sites is the active engagement and rewarding of employees, which lays a strong foundation for continuous improvement and innovation. Equally vital is the involvement of suppliers, as Volvo CE recognizes that meaningful transformation cannot occur when working in silo. By fostering collaborative partnerships, Volvo CE is driving a collective effort towards sustainability that extends beyond its own operations.

Volvo CE’s Jinan Technology Center has achieved landfill-free status.