STOCKHOLM, Oct. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrolux takes
a new important step on the journey towards circularity with a
prototype for change. Together with Stena Recycling, Electrolux has
developed a vacuum cleaner made of 100 percent recycled and reused
materials. The plastic and components originate from consumers
electronic products, such as used hairdryers, vacuum cleaners and
computers. The project addresses some of today's key recycling
challenges while exploring circularity in household
appliances.
More than 400 million metric tons of plastic are produced
globally every year, but less than 12% of this comes from recycled
materials. Therefore manufacturers have difficulty finding enough
safe and consistently high-quality recycled material. As a pioneer,
Electrolux was first in the industry in 2010 to raise awareness
about the global shortage of recycled plastics through the Vac from
the Sea project. The volume of products containing recycled
material has since increased across the industry but remain at low
levels.
To step up the pace, Electrolux is partnering with Stena
Recycling in the collaboration Circular Initiative. The goal is to
learn more about how to make the market for recycled plastics
function as well as for virgin materials. The first concrete result
is a visionary vacuum cleaner made of 100 percent recycled plastic
and reused components from electronic consumer products. The
prototype is developed to explore circularity in household
appliances.
"We at Electrolux have a strong commitment to reduce our climate
impact by 2030 and circularity is a key dimension of this. The
partnership with Stena Recycling is one of the important
initiatives we engage in to push ourselves and the industry forward
through knowledge sharing and innovation. We want to support
consumers in making sustainable choices, and to succeed we need a
solid approach to circularity", says Jonas Samuelson, CEO at
Electrolux.
Henrik Sundström, Head of Sustainability at Electrolux, adds:
"This project has highlighted many of the considerations we take
into account as we seek to become more circular. From product
design and material use to new business models, there are
regulatory requirements as well as quality and safety questions
that need to be addressed. We have to strike a good balance in
increasing the amount of reused and recycled materials when making
products that are optimized for further recycling at the end of
life".
The material from used products such as hair dryers, vacuum
cleaners and computers originates from Nordic households. The focus
on consumer products has enabled the project to study the lifespan
of the recycled products and components to gain insights about
consumer recycling behaviors and attitudes.
"The Swedish industry has all the right conditions to become a
pioneer in circular flows. We have the know-how, we have the
technically advanced processing plants needed, and we have
companies willing to take the lead in circular production. I'm
proud of what we have achieved together in the partnership with
Electrolux. It's a crucial step towards a future where circular
materials will play a significant role in manufacturing. Through
the Circular Initiative we provide our expertise when collaborating
with our partners to create world leading circular solutions",
says Kristofer Sundsgård, CEO at Stena Recycling.
By 2030 all Electrolux product ranges will contain at least 50%
recycled materials. On the journey towards circularity, the
learnings from developing the prototype will provide important
knowledge for Electrolux future innovation.
Stena Recycling collects discarded electronic consumer products
and breaks them down into raw materials for new products or for
energy recovery. Read more about the Circular Initiative here.
The prototype vacuum cleaner is an action within the Electrolux
Better Living Program, a plan to enable better and more sustainable
living for consumers around the world through 2030.
For further information, please contact:
Electrolux
Press Hotline
+46-8-657-65-07
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SOURCE Electrolux