Sanistål goes all out in a new recycling project

In just one month, the recycling rate of waste has nearly doubled at the Thisted store. Now, the successful pilot project is set to be rolled out to all stores, which aim to increase their recycling rates to over 80%.

“So far, we have had an average recycling rate of our waste from stores and office locations of between 50 and 60 percent. These are decent figures, but we want to do even better. At our central warehouse, the overall recycling rate for all types of waste is as high as 87 percent, and we have been curious about whether it’s realistic for the stores to achieve such a high recycling rate,” says Sustainability Manager Gitte Østergaard Futtrup.

Since December, Sanistål has therefore been testing a new waste solution in Sanistål's store in Thisted. This has been done in collaboration with Marius Pedersen A/S, one of Denmark's largest companies in waste management and recycling.

“The results not only exceed our expectations. We are proud of what we have achieved. In Thisted, the recycling rate has almost doubled in just one month, now exceeding 70 percent. We are now rolling out the project to all Sanistål locations,” says Gitte Østergaard Futtrup.

"The shop has taken the task seriously."

In Thisted, seven different waste containers have been set up. For example, an extra category has been added specifically for strapex tape. If customers unpack boxes in the store, they can easily dispose of paper and plastic in different bins.

“Sanistål has made a good start and is both very serious and clear about their goal to recycle as much waste as possible. It’s truly an impressive result, and the recycling rate in the Thisted store is likely to increase further over the course of this year. It’s remarkable that the store has approached the task so seriously and has achieved so much in such a short time. It bodes well for when all stores must participate,” says Tommy Balslev Jørgensen, who, as an environmental consultant at Marius Pedersen A/S, has advised the Thisted store on waste sorting and sizes of waste containers.

Tailored solutions and data

After the latest waste regulation, Danish companies must now sort waste in line with private households. As Sanistål rolls out its recycling project to all 36 locations, the goal is to raise the recycling rate to well over 80 percent.

“We are ambitious on our own behalf, and Marius Pedersen A/S has the expertise required to achieve our goals. They provide environmental consultants who ensure that all stores get waste solutions that are tailored to their needs. In addition, we gain access to data that allows us to measure and document how much waste we recycle and how much ends up as small combustible waste at the end of the month. Documentation is important to us,” says Gitte Østergaard Futtrup and continues:

“It is not difficult to sort waste into the right categories. Ultimately, it is about bringing the good habits from home to work. We may need to go a little further to dispose of our waste, but the more we recycle, the less CO2 we emit. We believe we will see the results of our joint efforts by late summer,” concludes Gitte Østergaard Futtrup.

Contact person:

Gitte Østergaard Futtrup, Head of Sustainability, phone: 25 65 50 62

March 15, 2023