At Anora Group’s Rajamäki plant, more than 850 product items of wines and spirits are produced. At the same time, work is being done to promote more efficient use of materials and the circular economy.
Concrete everyday actions have delivered results. One clear proof is the increase in the share of waste sent for recycling: as much as 95 percent of all waste now ends up being recycled.
“Material efficiency is great because improving it does not always require large investments. You can make progress with small changes and still achieve significant improvements,” says Jussi Nikula, Quality, Safety and Environment Manager at Anora.
Continuous improvement in everyday operations
Material efficiency at the Rajamäki plant has been developed systematically over the long term. A material efficiency review carried out in 2020 resulted in several concrete improvement proposals, which have since been implemented step by step.
“The review gave us good suggestions for improving material efficiency at all stages of production,” recalls Milja Karhu, who works as an environmental specialist at the Rajamäki plant.
Today, reusable plastic sheets that circulate back to suppliers are used between incoming bottle pallets instead of cardboard. Label backing liners are directed for reuse as insulation boards, and PET bottles are collected separately for reprocessing. Biowaste and product disposals are used to produce biogas, waste alcohol is redistilled into ethanol suitable for industrial use, and wood waste, such as broken pallets, is utilized as raw material for particleboard in the construction industry. Over the years, the number of separately sorted waste fractions has grown to 19.
Nikula points out that everything nevertheless starts at the beginning of the production line: when production functionality and flow are improved, it is reflected in the amount of waste. Losses decrease, and the efficiency of the entire plant improves. This role must not be overlooked.
Better results are achieved through collaboration
The recycling rate has increased in cooperation with material suppliers and waste management partners. Packaging materials have been lightweighted and package sizes optimized. The idea for recycling label backing liners came from the supplier.
“We have received many ideas from them on how waste should be collected and sorted more efficiently, and where it can be sent for recycling,” Karhu explains.
In addition, good reporting systems and data provided by partners support the monitoring and measurement of material efficiency.
The plant’s personnel have also responded positively to the changes and have actively participated in developing recycling practices.
The material efficiency commitment was a natural step
The Rajamäki plant is part of a voluntary material efficiency commitment for the food industry. The goals include increasing the recycling rate of waste, reducing the amount of materials that are discarded, and increasing the share of recycled materials in packaging.
“Material efficiency was not originally a separate objective but came along as part of our environmental work. When we realized that we had already done a lot in line with the commitment, it was a natural decision to join,” Karhu describes.
Looking to the future – for the environment
In 2026, the development of good practices at Rajamäki will continue. Waste collection for business plastic packaging will be launched, with the aim of getting the remaining plastics into circulation as well.
“Commitment or not – this is done for the sake of the environment. Material efficiency is part of our corporate responsibility and our everyday operations,” Nikula concludes.
The material efficiency commitment in food industry
Under the voluntary material efficiency commitment between the business sector and public administration launched in 2019, the aim is to achieve effective action to improve material efficiency.
In addition to the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation, the food industry commitment includes the Finnish Grocery Trade Association and the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa. Companies participating in the commitment have successfully reduced food waste, plastic use, the amount of waste, and, alongside these, greenhouse gas emissions.
The second commitment period for 2022–2026 is currently under way. In 2024, the 17 companies participating in the commitment implemented nearly one hundred measures to improve material efficiency, resulting in cost savings of almost six million euros. Altogether, companies reduced waste by 26,700 tons.
Read more about material efficiency commitments or learn more about Anora.
Pictures: Anora Group
