Responsibly managing the waste we produce

Man counting poppies
  • Managing waste responsibly
  • Our waste ambitions
  • On target
  • Progress on waste 2020-2023
  • Upcycling
  • Discover our projects
  • Discover more
Managing waste responsibly
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We work hard to manage the waste we produce in a responsible way. Our approach is based on reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering.

We reduce the amount we create as a by-product of our processes, we reuse where possible, we recycle in an effort to avoid disposal via landfill or incineration and where waste is incinerated, we recapture the energy.

Our ‘No Waste’ factory

We have set a waste management target to reach zero operational waste directed to landfill for all manufacturing sites by 2030¹. One of the ways we are getting closer to this is by working towards a circular economy model. In this model, durable goods are designed to be repaired rather than replaced, and biological materials are managed so they can be returned to the biosphere without contamination. It’s estimated that 90% of the raw materials used in manufacturing become waste before the product leaves the factory, and 80% of products made are thrown away within the first six months.

Our waste ambitions
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Our waste ambitions

Driving continuous improvement in waste reduction and management with a focus on landfill disposal avoidance

  

TARGET

By 2030, 
we will reach zero operational ¹ 
waste directed to landfill 
for all manufacturing sites 

STATUS 2023

 58%2


Element
Actions and measures
Text
  • Applying circular principles in product design, sourcing, manufacturing and packaging
  • Upcycling to reuse materials normally disposed of 
  • Acting on the principle of ‘no waste by design‘
       

  

  1. Excluding one time only waste and waste sent to landfill only when other existing technical alternatives are not allowed due to regulatory requirements.

  2. The status shows the percentage of sites already reaching our target. 

  

TARGET

By 2030, 
we will decrease 
our operational waste 
for disposal intensity 
by 15% (baseline 2020)

STATUS 2023

+ 8%


Element
Actions and measures
Text
  • Applying circular principles in product design, sourcing, manufacturing and packaging
  • Upcycling to reuse materials normally disposed of 
  • Acting on the principle of ‘no waste by design‘
       

  

  
Discover more about our actions and measures

On target
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On target²

  • In 2023, the waste intensity KPI (calculated as the amount of waste for disposal that was sent to incineration and to landfill per tonne of product) remained flat compared to last year’s figure. 
  • In total, we diverted 72% of all our waste from disposal in 2023 by seizing all the opportunities we have to reuse and recycle. 
  • The amount of waste diverted from disposal per tonne of product has increased by 14% since 2020.
  • As of the end of 2023, 45 of 78, or 58%, of our sites were without landfill waste, representing progress towards our targeted 100%.
     

We believe that minimising waste is closely connected to responsible sourcing. By using raw materials in a mindful way and promoting sustainable working practices, we can cut down the amount of waste we produce and improve our environmental footprint.

Progress on waste 2020-2023
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Progress on waste 2021-2023

Waste

Waste generated by tonnes

20201 
(restated in 2023)

2021
(not restated)  

20221
(restated in 2023)

20232

Hazardous waste

37,758

n.a.

49,092

47,278

Non-hazardous waste

74,375

n.a.

83,536

72,246

  1. These values include the assured figures coming from all Givaudan entities and acquisitions (except for Fragrance Oils, Custom Essence and Expressions Parfumées) as well as from restatements.

  2. Assured figures including all Givaudan entities and acquisitions except for: Fragrance Oils, Custom Essence and Expressions Parfumées.

  
Access our non-financial figures tool

For more on our latest progress, read our 2023 Integrated Report on economic and ESG performance

Upcycling
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Upcycling

As part of our efforts to reduce waste, we have also been exploring upcycling. Also known as creative re-use, upcycling is all about transforming waste materials into new items of better quality. Much more than a passing trend, it’s a vital way for all of us to make better use of the earth’s resources and reduce waste. Find out more about some of our upcycled innovations.

Discover our projects
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