Volvo CE helps Stena Recycling with sustainability

In an industry like recycling, which is all about sustainability, using zero emission electric machines makes good business and environmental sense. And that’s certainly proving the case for Swedish firm, Stena Recycling whose ECR25 Electric excavator from Volvo CE has been working almost non-stop for over 3,000 hours.

For Stena Recycling, waste is so much more than a byproduct of industrial production. It is a massive opportunity. And the company has made great strides, helping Sweden become a posterchild for recycling on a global scale.

From local scrap dealer to changemaking leader

Stena Recycling was started over 80 years ago and has grown from a small local scrap dealer, to becoming the leading recycling company in Sweden today. The company handles over 3.6 million tonnes of material every year, recycling even the most complex material products, from cars and batteries to plastics and electronics.

The company’s vision is to replace the use of virgin materials with recycled raw materials across industries. But their commitment to sustainability doesn’t end there.

Led by Marika Björnum, who heads up purchasing at Stena Recycling Sweden, the company has an unwavering commitment to change. And that includes a strategy to replace some of their diesel machines, where possible, with electric from Volvo CE. Together, the two share a commitment to build a better, more circular and sustainable world. And it’s a decision that Marika says is a win-win for multiple reasons.

100% electric and zero emission

The ECR 25 Electric excavator is a high-performing compact electric excavator. Its compact design, near silent operation and the fact that it’s emission-free makes it the perfect choice for carrying out work indoors at the facility.

In fact, the machine has been working for more than 3,000 hours at the company’s industrial plastic recycling facility, moving around 20 tonnes of plastic every day. Taking breaks only for quick charges, on short coffee breaks and between loading cycles. And that’s all it needs.

Using the ECR25 Electric over a diesel counterpart has resulted in CO2 reduction savings of around 21 tonnes per year. It’s also more efficient, reducing energy costs by around 83% per year.

Marika says: “To put it in perspective, if we stacked up the material this machine moves, in just one week it would be taller than the Eiffel tower! Isn’t that amazing!”

Reduced fuel costs, increased efficiency, zero emissions and reduced vibrations, Volvo electric machines are not just great for the business, but also for the environment.

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