Today marks Global Recycling Day, a moment to reflect on our role in shifting from a linear economy to a circular one. While recycling is a daily necessity, this day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of reducing and rethinking waste.

A traditional linear economy follows a “take-make-dispose” approach, where products are discarded after use, leading to excessive resource extraction and greenhouse gas emissions. This model depletes the planet’s finite resources and generates significant waste, much of which ends up in landfills. Landfill waste exacerbates environmental challenges, from occupying valuable land to releasing harmful methane emissions contributing to climate change.

In contrast, a circular economy reimagines growth by minimising waste, repurposing materials, and reducing extraction. By focusing on the intrinsic value of raw materials, a circular model reduces reliance on virgin resources and seeks to maximise product life cycles.

At Modulex, we actively work to reduce waste, repurpose materials from other industries, and integrate recycling into our manufacturing processes. In 2023, our Billund, Denmark factory recycled 57% of all waste, while 35% was sent to Waste-to-Energy (incineration with energy recovery) and only 8% to landfill. Since 2019, manufacturing waste at our factory in Billund has decreased by 38%, while revenue has increased 59% per kilogram of waste generated. Our commitment to reducing and reusing waste is reflected in our Billund factory’s ESG goals:

• Achieve a 50% net waste reduction by 2027
• Reduce landfill waste to below 5% by 2028
• Phasing out PVC vinyl by 2028

As part of our commitment to a circular economy, we have introduced innovative solutions such as Etronit and GreenBond™, made from recycled paper and wood waste. Additionally, our ReBond project repurposes textile waste from the carpet industry to create signage solutions. In 2023, we expanded our offering to include 100% recycled acrylic, reducing reliance on virgin materials and implementing a take-back program to recycle signage from our customers.

By reusing waste from other industries, we aim to reduce landfill waste and support our clients in achieving their sustainability objectives. Modulex remains committed to driving innovation, reducing waste, and supporting our industry’s transition to responsible production and consumption patterns.