Sweden prides itself on its impressive progress towards sustainability as a country, having even achieved the title of “The Most Sustainable Country on the Planet” in 2023. Statistics showed it excelled in sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and environmental protection policies, which are among the most important pillars of an eco-friendly country.
Hence, it might enhance all its propositions from the 2030 Agenda, including the use of only vehicles free of fossil fuels. The plan is to take it even further: Sweden aims to become the world’s first fossil-fuel-free nation by 2045. But the effort to achieve such an important goal takes massive cooperation from companies. Luckily, Sweden’s environmental-based services are plentiful, so here are some of the most essential for a business looking to make a positive impact.
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Waste management
Managing waste involves processing and recycling products, and Sweden excels in this area by recycling nearly all of its household waste. Still, businesses could receive a bit more help to improve their waste management. For instance, balers and compactors from the Miltek website are efficient for cardboard, plastic, and even Styrofoam.
These machineries minimize the costs of container rental while improving workflow and productivity. Companies that accumulate a large number of these items can save space by utilizing the appropriate baler and compactor, allowing them to directly send the final product to recycling.
Green tech tools
Green technology has been gaining popularity for some time, with an increasing number of users demanding more environmentally friendly options. Green technology can manage a broad range of aspects, from water filtration and ocean energy to converting waste into energy and harnessing solar energy. The young market helps spur innovation, but companies like Bright Sunday contribute to a clearer future with solar solutions.
The business focuses on reducing global CO2 emissions through solar as a service, managing investments, and PV systems for customers. They only have to pay for electricity based on a flat cost per kWh, so they’re also reducing their electricity costs.
Biodegradable plastic now-how
Plastic is a pressing concern worldwide, affecting ecosystems and human health. In Sweden, the total amount of plastic waste amounts to around 636,000 tons, with about 8% being recycled. So, this rate could definitely improve, and the products from FreeFormPack offer companies an alternative to plastic packaging: paper laminate.
This innovative product is composed of 75% paper fibers, with the remaining 25% consisting of polymers that ensure the preservation of its contents, such as food items. The paper can be recycled numerous times and then transformed into new paper products.
Renewable energy technologies
Renewable energy is a much-needed alternative to fossil fuel energy, which is becoming unsustainable for the planet’s future. While Sweden is a leader in solar energy solutions, it has also explored other approaches, such as eMethanol. This is the case of LiquidWind, an innovative business that transforms fuel composition.
Its eMethanol solution is made from green hydrogen and biogenic CO2, enabling companies to convert their CO2 emissions into sustainable fuel. The source of CO2 is found in companies’ biorefineries, facilities for combined heat and power, as well as pulp and paper mills.
Eco-building designs
Eco-building focuses on the development of green structures that are resource-efficient and environmentally responsible across their lifecycle. With more green and ecologically designed buildings, we can prioritize human health and support sustainable living in the future. A leading example of an eco-building is the Edge in the Netherlands, which utilizes solar panels, collects rainwater, and leverages sensors to gather real-time data on the building.
The services of Skanska, for example, serve this purpose by innovating the building sector and developing healthy and smart infrastructures for offices and homes as well. The company relies on low-carbon materials, renewable energy, and designing for efficiency. The goal is to create climate-resilient urban spaces that cater to community needs.
Water treatment technologies
Water treatment technologies include processes such as water reuse through coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation. These steps are necessary to remove colour or turbidity from water surfaces, and numerous technologies are gaining popularity at the moment, from gravel filters to activated carbon.
Swedish businesses from various industries, such as energy processing, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals, rely on solutions from Mellifiq, which provides some of the best engineering services that are efficient and sustainable in necessities like sanitation, disinfection, ventilation, and water, air, and energy management.
Sustainable equipment
While sustainable equipment is a broad term for companies, it encompasses all efforts to design equipment products that minimize environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle. This includes the use of durable and recyclable materials, as well as continuous innovations that can extend the lifespan of the end product. Sustainable equipment is the solution to reduce waste, lower emissions, and dispose of materials responsibly.
There are numerous businesses in Sweden that nurture sustainability across the industry, such as Cellfion AB, which focuses on contributing to a circular economy through clean technology. The company manufactures and offers bio-based membranes and nanoparticle dispersions suitable for the green energy industry.
Ecological engineering solutions
Ecological engineering combines the concepts of ecology and engineering to create sustainable ecosystems that can integrate human society. Therefore, the goal is for both parties to benefit from the much-needed conservation approaches. Such projects have the capacity to restore habitats, promote green infrastructure, and enhance flood management where necessary.
Of course, ecological engineering, leveraged with environmental studies and green equipment, is the most effective approach, which is what Stegra aims to do. With its digitalized and circular plant in Boden, the company offers green steel and replaces coal with green hydrogen for water, heat, and electricity.
How green is your company?
Sweden is a recognized leader in sustainability and green solutions for businesses and households, thanks to the numerous contributors that companies can rely on for solutions such as renewable energy or eco-friendly materials. Many of these businesses address pressing issues, such as waste, plastic packaging, and sustainable building practices, contributing to the country’s ongoing efforts to become the first nation that does not rely on fossil fuels.
