The waste hierarchy

Following the waste hierarchy – a key to sustainable waste management

Effective waste management plays an important role in reducing climate impact.

At Sortera, we make sustainable waste management straightforward. The waste hierarchy provides a clear framework for how waste should be managed in a way that supports circularity and reduces environmental impact.

Adapting waste management to the waste hierarchy is central to a circular economy and a core part of how we support our customers. By prioritising prevention, reuse and recycling, we help customers manage waste in line with Swedish legislation and EU directives.

What is the waste hierarchy?

The waste hierarchy, introduced in the EU Waste Framework Directive in 2008 and incorporated into Swedish environmental legislation, sets out a priority order for waste management:

Prevention – designing products that are durable, repairable and reusable
Preparation for reuse – cleaning or repairing products so they can be used again
Material recycling – processing waste into new materials or products
Other recovery – for example, energy recovery where recycling is not possible
Disposal – landfill or incineration, used only when no other options are available

The construction sector – a resource-intensive industry

The construction and civil engineering sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the EU. It accounts for approximately 25–30% of total waste generation and more than a third of greenhouse gas emissions.

At Sortera Group, we work with our customers to reduce these impacts and support the EU target that at least 70% of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste should be reused or recycled.

Sortera is here to help

We provide tailored waste management solutions that help businesses meet environmental requirements and regulatory obligations. Our Sortera Group services include:

Training – supporting efficient sorting and logistics on site
Innovative solutions – such as converting stone waste into reusable construction materials
Optimised recycling – using modern facilities, vehicles and processes to maximise recycling and minimise landfill

Move waste up the hierarchy

We work actively to move waste higher up the waste hierarchy, reducing reliance on landfill and energy recovery while increasing reuse and material recycling.

By supporting customers from the early stages of a project, we help reduce waste generation and improve resource efficiency. Through our focus on innovation and circular material flows, we are a trusted partner for organisations seeking more sustainable waste management solutions.