Essity receives recognition in European Parliament for unique recycling service

Tork PaperCircle, from Essity and its global brand in professional hygiene, Tork, is the world’s first recycling service for paper hand towels. On October 18, 2017, the service was recognized at the European Paper Recycling Awards in the European Parliament.  

Tork PaperCircle was nominated as one of four finalists in the Information and Education category of the European Paper Recycling Awards. The award recognizes projects, initiatives and campaigns that contribute to Europe’s sustainability through activities supporting paper recycling. The jury consists of academics, journalists and members of the European Parliament, including Simona Bonafè, responsible for the Waste Legislation package in the European Parliament.

“Your project, recycling service for the paper hand towels, shows the importance of involving producers into the entire life-cycle of a product. Essity shows how it is possible to put together sustainability and industrial development as a unique denominator” said, Simona Bonafè, European Paper Recycling Council.

The circular economy is becoming more and more important for companies worldwide. Drivers are both increased consumer awareness and government initiatives like the EU Circular Economy package. Companies both need to step up their work, and to communicate their efforts. The unique service is the latest of Essity’s efforts to go circular, as part of the overall business strategy.

“Tork PaperCircle is a great example of how we lead the way toward a circular economy for professional hygiene together with our customers, and we’re happy that the European Paper Recycling Council recognizes our work.” says Kersti Strandqvist, Senior Vice President, Group Sustainability, Essity.

That’s why Essity has developed Tork PaperCircle, helping businesses close the loop by recycling their hand towels into new tissue products. The service is a complete solution to reduce waste and cut the carbon footprint by 40 %*. Customers can make an important statement to employees and visitors through recycling statistics and creative communications in the washroom. Tork PaperCircle is currently running promising pilots in Germany and the Netherlands. One of the German customers is Commerzbank, who has recently expanded the service to fifteen offices.

“By recycling we can lower our carbon footprint, and the buildings involved generate about 20% less waste. Tork PaperCircle establishes us as a recycling pioneer among German companies,” says Dirk Middelmann, Corporate Real Estate Management, Commerzbank.

*For paper hand towels, compared to current waste handling options. Based on an LCA verified by IVL, Swedish Environmental Research Institute Ltd, 2017, where the avoided processes have been taken into account.