Sustenabilitatea pentru TOMRA Collection  

TOMRA Collection’s avoided emissions are calculated using a methodology developed together with independent sustainability experts, Eunomia, and aligned with recognised international guidance on avoided emissions from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).¹

Avoided emissions describe the greenhouse gas emissions that are prevented because TOMRA’s solutions are in use. We calculate them by comparing two situations: one where TOMRA Collection’s reverse vending and, in some markets, material handling solutions are in place, and one where they are not. The difference between these two situations shows the emissions that are avoided thanks to TOMRA’s technology and services.¹

The calculation is based on real, annual data on the number of empty drink containers returned through TOMRA reverse vending machines. We use a year‑by‑year approach rather than long‑term projections, which helps keep the results conservative and transparent.¹

The comparison depends on TOMRA Collection’s role in each market. In markets where TOMRA provides reverse vending machines, we compare today’s deposit return system with a system that works without the added convenience, automation and compaction those machines provide. In markets where TOMRA also runs material handling operations, we compare today’s system with a situation where those services are not available and the deposit return system would not work effectively.²

Reverse vending machines make returning bottles and cans easier, faster and more convenient for people. This improved recycling experience leads to higher return rates compared with systems that rely on manual or less accessible collection methods.³

The avoided emissions come from three main effects. First, higher return rates mean more bottles and cans are recycled. This reduces emissions by avoiding the need to make the same materials from scratch and by keeping material out of incineration and landfill.² Second, containers collected through deposit return systems are cleaner and easier to sort, which means less energy is needed during sorting.² Third, reverse vending machines compact containers at the point of return, so fewer transport trips are needed to move the same amount of material.²

Data on return rates and deposit return system performance is based on country‑level information published by Reloop and other public sources.⁴ Assumptions about differences between systems with and without reverse vending machines are informed by evidence showing that deposit systems with convenient return options consistently achieve higher return rates.³

Emissions factors for recycled materials are based on established industry data and peer‑reviewed studies and are consolidated within Eunomia’s life‑cycle assessment models.⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹

The same assumptions are applied consistently to both the current situation and the comparison case.¹ The results are sensitive to return rates and system design, so conservative assumptions are used and key limitations are documented. Avoided emissions reflect the wider climate impact of TOMRA’s solutions and do not reduce the company’s reported greenhouse gas emissions. Avoided emissions are reported separately from TOMRA’s own emissions and are not used to claim carbon neutrality or net zero. ¹

References

1. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Guidance on Avoided Emissions (2023). Retrieved from wbcsb.org.
2. Eunomia & TOMRA Collection. Avoided Emissions Methodology (2024).
3. TOMRA. Deposit Return Systems White Paper: Rewarding Recycling – Unlocking Circularity. Retrieved from tomra.com.
4. Reloop Platform. Global Deposit Book and associated country‑level deposit return system datasets. Retrieved from reloopplatform.org.
5. PlasticsEurope. Lifecycle data and emissions factors for plastics production and recycling. Retrieved from plasticseurope.org.
6. Franklin Associates. Life‑cycle inventory data for plastic packaging materials. Retrieved from fal.com.
7. Chen, Yuedong, Zhaojie Cui, Xiaowei Cui, Wei Liu, Xinlei Wang, XinXin Li, and Shouxiu Li. "Life cycle assessment of end-of-life treatments of waste plastics in China." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 146 (2019): 348-357.
8. Mendes Campolina, Juliana, Carolina São Leandro Sigrist, Jane Maria Faulstich de Paiva, Andréa Oliveira Nunes, and Virgínia Aparecida da Silva Moris. "A study on the environmental aspects of WEEE plastic recycling in a Brazilian company." The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 22, no. 12 (2017): 1957-1968.
9. International Aluminium Association. Data on aluminium production and recycling emissions. Retrieved from international-aluminium.org.
10. British Glass. Industry data on glass production and recycling emissions. Retrieved from britglass.org.uk.
11. Glass Packaging Institute. Data on glass manufacturing and recycling emissions. Retrieved from gpi.org.
12. Zier, Michael, Peter Stenzel, Leander Kotzur, and Detlef Stolten. "A review of decarbonization options for the glass industry." Energy Conversion and Management: X 10 (2021): 100083.