Pioneering the way to a world without waste: Interzero among final contestants for the German Sustainability Award

Berlin/Cologne. Systematically developing the closed-loop economy and consistently implementing a portfolio of ongoing, large-scale customer projects aimed at waste prevention and the management of raw materials in the loop, Interzero has now reached the final round of the 2024 German Sustainability Award. The prize is awarded jointly by the Federal Environment Ministry, the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and the WWF to companies who lead the way on sustainable transformation. The high-calibre award jury considers Interzero to be one of those industry leaders in the category of waste management and recycling.

After restructuring in 2022, this leading European circular service provider stands for a novel and integrated approach to ‘zero waste solutions’. For and together with its clients from a wide range of industries – from automotive and digital services to building supplies and footwear – Interzero works to create tailor-made solutions for recyclable loops. The company handles all of the steps in plastics recycling and – with its Interseroh+ dual system – the complete packaging loop as well. Sebastiaan Krol, CEO Interzero Circular Solutions: “Our key aim here is ensuring that raw materials really are brought back into manufacturing. Our vision is a world without waste. Achieving this requires partnerships, collaborative ventures and innovative business models that can close loops while optimising the avoidance, reuse and recycling of waste materials.”

As one example, Interzero uses its digital ‘Resourcify’ platform to offer its customers an integrated ‘Zero Waste Manager’ that can ensure an efficient and sustainable approach to waste management. Other projects include the ‘EINFACH MEHRWEG’ reusable container system for food and beverages organised with Sykell, and the ‘Encory’ joint venture from Interzero and BMW Group for the sustainable recycling of vehicle parts. Sustainable value creation, climate and resource protection, and social responsibility: Full details of the individual goals that Interzero is pursuing and has already achieved can be found in its latest Sustainability Report and the ‘ALL IN’ Sustainability Magazine.

Part of Interzero's holistic approach to sustainability is also its involvement with the basketball club ALBA BERLIN, which has been pursuing a clear sustainability strategy for years with the company's support. The club has also been nominated for the final round of the German Sustainability Award in 2023. For Sebstiaan Krol, this is no coincidence: "Through their long-standing association and mutual learning, Interzero and ALBA BERLIN carry the same sustainability DNA, which includes as basic building blocks a commitment to a livable world, team orientation, diversity and equal opportunities, and agility."

An analysis of the positive environmental impact of Interzero’s activities is also provided in the annual ‘resources SAVED by Recycling’ study published by Fraunhofer UMSICHT. Thanks to its closed-loop management of about 1.8 million tonnes of recyclables, Interzero saved more than 12.5 million tonnes of primary raw materials and avoided around one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 alone. These data can also be used to compute another figure of which Interzero and its customers are very proud, and which inspires them to new heights: According to the Global Footprint Network (GFN), Earth Overshoot Day 2023 would have been reached 7 minutes and 16 seconds earlier (globally) or 4 hours and 20 minutes earlier (in Germany) without their shared achievements in materials recycling.

Photo: DNP / Frank Fendler