ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Infinitum owns and manages the Norwegian deposit return scheme (DRS). Our aim is for all DRS-labelled bottles and cans to be returned. We are working to make the return process itself both efficient and environmentally friendly. Our ambition is for all bottles and cans to be recycled and turned into new high-quality products.

The deposit return scheme has a significant impact on the environment. In 2020, Infinitum achieved a record deposit return rate of 92% and a total collection rate of 98%. All returns are recycled, and Norway is a role model for other countries.

Choosing products with the DRS label and returning all drink containers is one of the easiest and most important things we can all do for the environment, as valuable materials are reused time and again. Infinitum Annual Report 2020

Contents

6 40 Senseless packaging tax Kolonial offers Covid-friendly returns collection 8 More and better measures needed 42 Reverse vending machine challenger 12 grows in Norway “Time that Norway became a driving force for a circular economy” 44 Pandemic fails to stop international 16 deposit return dream Accounting Norway wants green tax change 46 “We recycle people!” 18 First-rate logistics 48 “Plastic deposit bottles are an eco winner” 20 Ready for spring melt 50 A circular deposit return system 24 Thousands of bottles and cans rescued 52 during X Games The deposit return story

28 54 2020 – a busy year and a special one Board of Directors and owners

32 56 From local to national Statistics for 2020

36 58 Family factories with short decision lines Financial statements

38 60 Is the ‘Norwegian business’ here to stay? Contact

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Senseless packaging tax

The coronavirus pandemic ‘Grunnavgift’ is a specifically Norwegian If the motive of protecting jobs is left that struck in 2020 tax on drinks packaging that “is not re- out of the equation and ‘Grunnavgift’ is used in its original form”. The tax is NOK seen purely as a tax for limiting the use produced a new deposit 1.27 plus VAT for every single bottle of recyclable packaging, it stands out as return record and clearly and can, and was originally introduced Norway’s strangest environmental levy. showed that it is high time to protect workers who washed reusable For one thing, it is unreasonably high: bottles. Now it is doing nothing but harm. Imposing NOK 1.27 plus VAT in tax on for the packaging tax to a can weighing 14.5 grams means that be removed. Border trade down by 88 percent ‘Grunnavgift’ is more than NOK 100 per Sweden does not have a packaging tax, kilo, or NOK 100,000 per tonne. On top which is largely what makes beer, soda of which, no other materials on the and water good ‘loss leaders’ for border Norwegian market are recycled into the trade. Many people have wondered how same product to such a large extent. extensive this trade is, and the border closures resulting from Covid-19 provided Time for a rethink new answers, with the number of cans When the packaging tax was introduced, and bottles sold in Norway increasing by it was believed that washing bottles and a massive 243,546,033 units, up 18.7% transporting soda and beer crates around on 2019. According to Statistics Norway, the country was better than crushing border trade declined by more than and . Now we know that the NOK 14 billion, even though the border most eco-friendly option is mechanical was not closed for the entire year. recycling so that the materials can be used time and again in new cans or bottles. ‘Grunnavgift’ no longer protects workers The tax is therefore completely outdated. as intended, but is helping to drive jobs out of the country. For everyone in the The drinks manufacturers, retailers and grocery trade on the Norwegian side the government benefited enormously of the border, 2020 was a bumper year, from increased sales when closed borders and the government collected more tax, limited the impact of the packaging tax. including on sugar and alcohol. We collected more than ever before, and more than any other country, and all Closure produced deposit return the plastic and aluminium was given a new record lease of life. Together, the retail impact Closed borders also contributed to the and environmental impact are good highest deposit return rate ever. A massive reasons for rethinking ‘Grunnavgift’. 92% of all cans and bottles were returned. A Norwegian deposit on all the packaging in the home motivates people more to do what we ask and return everything. Without Kjell Olav Maldum ‘Grunnavgift’, the deposit return rate would Managing Director probably be as high or higher every year.

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More and better measures needed

The use of recycled plastic must be increased, and Mepex has been looking at measures that will help to achieve this. “The most important measures are new requirements for local authorities and businesses, greater producer responsibility and a material tax on virgin plastic,” says Managing Director Frode Syversen.

Mepex is an environmental consultancy deposit return scheme, which has helped plastic, the three most important of which with broad expertise in to ensure good material quality,” Frode are plastic sorting requirements for local management and recycling. Through the Syversen, Managing Director of Mepex, authorities and businesses, improvement ‘Plastsamarbeidet’ partnership and several explains. and extension of the producer other projects, Mepex is working with responsibility regulations, and a material the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Achieving a closed loop and circular tax on virgin plastic. Fund and Norner to look at measures economy for plastic will require measures for increasing the use of recycled plastic. in different parts of the value chain, “It is important to find the right balance The goal is to help Norway achieve and the authorities also have an important between producer responsibility and 50 percent material recycling for all plastic role to play. requirements for the local government waste by 2025. sector and private businesses: those “It is the authorities who largely hold the who generate the plastic waste. “We have to think more about what is put key to finding a suitable raft of measures. The local government sector must be on the market, design products so that Time is running out if we are to achieve subject to sorting requirements and they can be recycled, use pricing measures 50 percent material recycling for all plastic invest in capacity, while the producers to ensure materials that are less suitable waste by 2025,” says Syversen. must be required to help foot the bill,” for recycling cost more, and think in terms says Syversen. of a closed loop for more product groups. Producer responsibility and tax Infinitum has led the way by having strict Mepex has outlined eight measures that According to Syversen, there is a good requirements for products joining the would help to increase the use of recycled producer responsibility scheme for plastic

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“Good systems and recycling are what should be ‘rewarded’, and energy recovery does not contribute to either.” Frode Syversen, Managing Director of Mepex

drinks packaging, but nothing adequate “The politicians have to consider where Deposit cans in general waste go into the for plastic in general as things stand. they are going to put the tax in the value incinerator, with the majority coming chain. It would also be possible to have a back out in the ash. They are sorted and “The producer responsibility scheme for tax in two places: a tax on virgin plastic sent for material recovery, but the quality drinks packaging is not enough in itself, entering the value chain and a carbon tax is poorer,” he explains. however. The tax is also crucial, with the on fossil-based plastic that is incinerated,” drinks industry being motivated to reduce says Syversen. Both count as material recovery, while the environmental levy by collecting as plastic bottles incinerated together with much as possible. There is every indication Ten years of collaboration general waste count as energy recovery. that the politicians are considering Mepex and Infinitum have been As the rules stand, both material recovery some form of plastic tax in order to put collaborating for a long time. Mepex has and energy recovery qualify for an a price on all the environmental and been keeping track of deposit packaging environmental levy rebate. Everything is climate problems that plastic causes. It that does not come in through reverse credited as recovered, with a correction is important that a new tax should not vending machines, but is discarded in for actual energy recovery. damage Norwegian business, something the form of plastic, metal or general that the environmental levy on drinks has waste. Mepex does this by carrying out “Both we at Mepex and Infinitum have not done. A plastic tax should therefore waste analyses and random sampling in proposed that energy recovery should not be carefully evaluated and Europe should municipalities throughout Norway. By count, and we have long believed that the arrive at a joint solution,” says Syversen. collecting data on deposit packaging per authorities would change the drink tax tonne of waste from a large number of rules, but so far in vain. Good systems and He believes that, in order to take care of municipalities, Mepex is able to estimate recycling are what should be ‘rewarded’, environmental problems, any tax that is average key figures for the different waste and energy recovery does not contribute introduced will have a lot in common types for the country as a whole. to either,” Syversen concludes. with Infinitum’s desire for a tax on virgin plastic, which would encourage increased “We find deposit packaging in all these use of recycled plastic. waste streams. Deposit cans in metal waste are recycled together with other metal.

10 11 “Time that Norway became a driving force for a circular economy”

“Norway needs to step in and become a driving force for a circular economy. As part of this, consumption and waste must be reduced, good systems for recycling residual waste are required, and a tax on virgin plastic is needed,” says the Executive Director of Future in our Hands.

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“If there is one thing that the world needs “Every time a material is recovered, it takes “A lot of plastic products consist of now, it is climate leadership. In just a short resources and energy, and some material many different materials and plastic time, the new European Commission is lost. We should therefore cut down on types. Producers should design for has launched a climate plan for even single-use products as much as possible. recycling, which means designing greater cuts to emissions and new green Recycling should be the last resort in more homogeneous products. It is also jobs, as well as an ambitious new action the circular economy in order to keep important that legislation and regulations plan for a circular economy. This is a materials in circulation longer and give on the addition of chemicals to new plastic completely different level of ambition to them a new lease of life. That being said, should also apply to recycled plastic. It is that shown by our own leaders in their good and recycling vital that products are safe for consumers government platform,” says Anja Bakken systems will be central to the new circular as well as the environment,” says Bakken Riise, Executive Director of Future in our economy,” she explains. Riise. Hands (FIVH). “The market for recycled plastic is It is her impression that the Norwegian currently very poor. Market volume government is waiting to see what “Plastic producers and liquidity are limited, there is not the EU will do. and importers much flow of trade and market prices “It is time that Norway stepped in and are very unstable. There is uncertainty became a driving force for a circular should bear regarding the quality and safety of economy. The EU is also dependent on responsibility for all recycled plastic, especially when it comes countries who take the lead in order plastic products and to additives. If we handle and recycle to get its climate and environmental Norwegian plastic in Norway, we will policy implemented. This means that the plastic loop.” have more control in this area. Producer the Norwegian government needs to responsibility should also be extended roll up its sleeves and take our share of and not just apply to packaging. Plastic the emission cuts. In industry, transport, producers and importers should bear agriculture and the oil and gas sector Boost consumer confidence responsibility for all plastic products and alike,” says Bakken Riise. For more plastic packaging to be included the plastic loop,” she says. in a closed loop in a circular economy, Start at the base of the waste FIVH believes that there must be a Tax on virgin plastic wanted pyramid requirement for plastic products to be FIVH has spoken in favour of introducing According to FIVH, industry and labelled better. a tax on the use of virgin plastic, and companies also have to contribute to a on plastic that cannot be recycled. more circular economy. Companies must “What type of plastic the material is made It proposed this in its response to the remove harmful environmental toxins of, the amount of recycled as against virgin ‘Climate Cure 2030’ consultation in from products, increase product lifespan plastic, how the product must be handled, spring 2020. and keep valuable resources in circulation where the product is sent for recycling for longer. The recycling rate must go up and what it is turned into. This will boost “Plastic is very suitable for recycling, but and the amount of waste down. consumer confidence that their efforts at using recycled plastic is not currently home in the kitchen have an impact,” says profitable because virgin plastic is too “We have to start at the base of the waste FIVH’s Executive Director. cheap. It must pay to be eco-friendly, pyramid and introduce measures to and it must pay to recycle. So fossil-based Future in our Hands believes that the as facilitating research into new, alternative circular society. But it is important for prevent large amounts of waste occurring She believes that, in order for recycled plastic should be taxed. It must pay to use authorities must give both producers and raw materials and replacements for fossil- the government to set clear objectives in the first place by reducing consumption. plastic to be used more instead of virgin recycled plastic rather than virgin plastic, consumers an incentive to use alternatives based plastic,” Anja Bakken Riise explains. and frameworks for this adjustment, All too often, we find this perspective plastic made from oil, plastic products but as things stand the opposite is true. to cheap fossil-based plastic. She is of the opinion that the government and to show consumers and companies being disregarded or forgotten when must be designed for recycling to a We therefore need a material tax on virgin “The authorities must introduce measures must set clear objectives in its strategy for the way clearly. It must also be willing to politicians and others discuss what we can greater extent. plastic, and it should reduce in line with to reduce the amount of unnecessary a circular economy looking ahead to 2030 use ‘all relevant climate-related measures’, do to establish a circular economy,” says the percentage of recycled material used,” single-use plastic, minimise consumption and then 2050. including taxation and legislation,” Bakken Riise. says Bakken Riise. and production, improve waste the Executive Director of Future in our management both inside and outside the “Both businesses and consumers must Hands concludes. home, ensure design for recycling and contribute to the radical adjustment increase the use of recycled plastic, as well we will have to go through to achieve a

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Accounting Norway wants green tax change

“If green change is to succeed, we need to rethink accounting and taxation. The deposit return scheme is an inspiring example,” says Christine Lundberg Larsen, CEO of Accounting Norway.

The transition to a more sustainable She cites IKEA’s used furniture business as working to get the authorities to adapt prove that this is an extremely effective ‘Smart taxes’ motivate through the deposit return system society will require businesses to change an example. the rules more to a circular economy. solution,” she says. businesses frequently end up as other products the way they think. A ‘circular economy’ Lundberg Larsen is also concerned with “‘Smart taxes’ like this that motivate because it is cheaper for manufacturers is one of the solutions that is frequently “IKEA can buy furniture back from its how taxes can be used intelligently to Infinitum was set up jointly by the businesses to come up with sustainable to choose packaging made from new put forward. Products and materials customers, but then it cannot deduct stimulate sustainability, and thinks that the retailers and producers to ensure that solutions are much better than bans and materials than recycled alternatives. must be reused. Other green trends are a the VAT in its accounts. But when IKEA environmental levy on drinks packaging is drinks packaging could be collected and flat taxes that you cannot do anything sharing economy and borrowing instead resells the furniture, it has to charge VAT inspiring. recycled efficiently. The environmental about,” Lundberg Larsen concludes. “A new tax of this sort seems like a of owning. on top, making the used furniture too levy is NOK 6.25 for each bottle and sensible solution. Infinitum has shown expensive,” she explains. “Drinks packaging is subject to a high NOK 3.75 for each box, but it falls to Infinitum is now working to bring about that smart taxes can have a powerful, “All these good measures are tied up with environmental levy, but it decreases as zero if more than 95% of the packaging a smart tax that would motivate drinks motivating effect, and it makes sense to Working to facilitate a circular businesses’ finances, which are closely the proportion of collected and recycled is collected and recycled. Thanks to the manufacturers and importers to choose ask the authorities to make further use of economy linked to accounting rules and taxation,” material increases. In this way, the development of an efficient deposit return bottles and cans with a high recycled this concept to perfect the system,” says Christine Lundberg Larsen points out. Accounting Norway is the industry authorities have given businesses a strong system and heavy marketing, Infinitum material content. Its reason for doing so Christine Lundberg Larsen in conclusion She has been a driving force behind seeing association for authorised accountants incentive to find eco-friendly solutions. reached this target many years ago. is that plastic and aluminium collected accounting as part of green change. and accounting firms. It has long been The deposit return system and Infinitum

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First-rate logistics

Infinitum moves more than twice as many units as the Norwegian Post, at a fraction of the cost.

How do you collect and recycle as many Handling nearly 1.4 billion units makes return scheme is that consumers pay most of Norway’s cans and bottles as possible Infinitum more than twice as large a of the cost through the local government at the lowest possible cost? This is the carrier as the Norwegian Post, which charge. The businesses question to which Infinitum is constantly transports around 600 million letters and that distribute the packaging on the finding better answers. After 22 years of parcels a year. The cheapest stamp costs market contribute, but consumers foot operation, it is still making adjustments NOK 18, and the Norwegian Post has the majority of the bill. The deposit return with a view to perfecting the system. many thousands of employees. system, on the other hand, is fully funded by the drinks industry,” Nerland explains. “Infinitum was created to be as efficient as “The big difference lies in the consumer’s possible, and that influences everything input, of course. Because everyone takes Other collection systems also lag far we do. We take the entire value chain their own drinks home from the store behind Infinitum in terms of effectiveness. into account when planning our logistics. and brings empty cans and bottles back, Whereas all 92 percent of the cans and We both use sales figures and look at Infinitum’s costs and environmental bottles that were returned last year went consumer habits as a basis for the practical impact are well below what they would be for recycling, the collection scheme for aspects of collecting bottles and cans. That if the transport chain had to extend to all household plastic waste reports that just gives us a guide for planning transport Norwegian homes. That makes the deposit 33.5 percent of the plastic is recycled. and operating our plants,” return system both simple and brilliant,” says Sten Nerland, Head of Logistics and Sten Nerland explains. Operations at Infinitum. The industry pays Bigger than the Norwegian Post The deposit return system also compares A total of 800 million cans and 585 very well with other packaging collection million bottles were returned in Norway and recycling systems. last year, and all of them were collected and prepared for recycling at a cost of “Collecting plastic, metal and other sorts approximately NOK 0.16 per unit by a of waste from households is very costly. company with 60 employees. What makes it different from the deposit

18 19 Ready for spring melt

Last year, lorries were queuing up outside Veolia’s new facility at Heia, fully laden with equipment. Now it has all been installed and the factory will soon be ready to melt down millions of plastic bottles.

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“The factory had to be started up and run in without the suppliers being present. The phone calls, video calls, testing and troubleshooting were never ending.” Torben Beck, Factory Manager, Veolia PET Norway

Imagine having to use foreign labour When things were at their busiest, nine Cautious start-up to install a brand-new factory in 2020, or ten lorries were coming in a day to The next step is to finish the data system Covid-19 year! You can only be impressed deliver enormous machines and pieces of and the technical production system. by what factory manager Torben Beck equipment from five different suppliers, Production is gradually getting under way, and his colleagues at Veolia PET Norway all of which had to be installed by experts albeit at lower capacity than the facility is achieved now that the job is done. from Germany. designed for.

When we speak to him in early 2021, Second wave “We need to be thorough and do the he says that the facility at Heia in Fetsund “This start went well. Then the second job properly. When everything is ready, in Lillestrøm Municipality will soon be we will receive millions and millions able to melt down vast quantities of plastic wave of Covid-19 hit and new quarantine rules for foreign workers came in. This of bottles from Infinitum,” says Beck, bottles and produce granulate. Plastic who looks forward to the day when the round was more difficult, things came to a granulate is the raw material for making bottles flow in and the plastic granulate bit of a standstill, and we took longer than plastic bottles and other plastic products. flows out of the building. planned,” Beck goes on. “As soon as the authorities relaxed the Then it really will be spring melt at Heia. Covid-19 restrictions a bit in June, He estimates that the total delay came to we went from full stop to full speed about two months. Definitely acceptable ahead. Thanks to setting up a quarantine considering the extreme circumstances. zone at the factory, we were able to keep 200 foreign fitters in full action for four “The factory had to be started up and run months. It was all go right up until the end in without the suppliers being present. of September,” says Beck with a grin. The phone calls, video calls, testing and troubleshooting were never ending. He gesticulates to illustrate all the people Thanks to great patience, not least on the swarming about, pulling cables this way part of 20 newly appointed colleagues, and that, and hauling in, unloading and our factory is now ready for the next installing equipment. phase,” the Factory Manager points out.

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Thousands of bottles and cans rescued during X Games

The world’s top freestyle skiers and snowboarders came together for the X Games 2020 in Hafjell. ‘Protect Our Winters Norway’ was on the spot with its ‘Pant for pudder’ (Recycle for Powder) campaign and made sure that thousands of deposit bottles and cans were recycled.

Words: Torkel Karoliussen Photo: POW Norway

‘Protect our Winters Norway’ (POW) “For those of us who enjoy a white winter “It is well known that a lot of energy is winter sports people’s very own with lots of snow, it makes sense to drinks are consumed at extreme sports environmental and climate organisation. support schemes and measures that save events. There is also an enormous POW Norway works to change energy and reduce emissions,” says Joakim apparatus of people around the event attitudes and raise awareness of the Giske Tvete, who is responsible for ‘Pant drinking their bottles of cola and other environment and climate in the skiing for pudder’ at POW Norway. things while the event is on,” says Jens and snowboarding community. ‘Pant for POW had set up deposit return points Christian Landmark, Environmental pudder’ is a project that POW Norway made from recycled oil drums both in the Officer for the X Games. has been running in collaboration with X Games arena in Hafjell and outside. This Infinitum for several years. The aim is to enabled participants, spectators and the Collaborating since 2017 make it easy and provide motivation for large contingent of organisers, volunteers, Like other festivals and large events, bottles and cans to be returned instead press and subcontractors to dispose of the X Games are committed to reducing of ending up in the bin. empty drinks packaging properly. their environmental impact, including

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“‘Pant for pudder’ is not just about recycling your bottles and cans. It is about making concious and right choices because it really has an impact.” Joakim Giske Tvete, responsible for ‘Pant for pudder’

sorting waste and recycling material. to remind people with an energy drink in Making good arrangements to ensure their hand. We also had to keep our own that deposit bottles and cans are handled energy levels up between stints on the properly is a natural and necessary part information booth, visits to the hill and of this. The X Games have therefore been experiencing the highlights of the show collaborating with POW on ‘Pant for both during the day and in the evening,” pudder’ since the action sports festival says a smiling Sigve Norris. first came to Hafjell in 2017. “Making conscious and right “A good many beverages of a more potent choices” variety are consumed in connection with In addition to the recycling message, the evening programme and the concerts the ‘Pant for pudder’ campaign is about in Hafjell too, so the bins outside the raising awareness that each and every one entrances and in the arena itself required of us has an impact on the environment frequent emptying,” says Sigve Norris, and climate through our actions, however who was in charge of POW’s volunteers big or small. This accords with POW’s during the event. overall objective of working at both an individual level and with authorities, The organiser of the X Games is largely institutions and businesses internationally. dependent on volunteers to stage the event, and POW earmarked three people “‘Pant for pudder’ is not just about to handle empties and get across the recycling your bottles and cans. It is message that actions both large and small about making concious and right choices are important in terms of the environment because it really has an impact. We want and climate. As well as keeping an eye everyone who loves snow and winter to on the recycling bins around the venue, understand that they can really make a big the POW representatives manned an difference. It is just a matter of starting with information booth. something as small as the bottle you have just finished or are about to finish,” Joakim “Our booth was opposite the monster Giske Tvete, who is responsible for ‘Pant truck, so we were strategically positioned for pudder’ at POW Norway, explains.

26 27 2020 – a busy year and a special one

2020 will be remembered as the year of Covid-19. For Infinitum, closed borders resulted in more empties being returned and a busy time for its employees. “We came through 2020 safely and started working with a new Infinitum ambassador,” says Randi Haavik Varberg.

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“Warholm is every Norwegian’s darling on the

athletics track, and an athlete who is constantly NTB Reuters Foto: APELAND extending the limits. This makes him a role model, and someone who can show the way and explain why all bottles and cans should always be put in a reverse vending machine.” Randi Haavik Varberg, Director of Communications at Infinitum

When Covid-19 hit Norway in early most people holidaying in Norway and Throughout autumn 2020, Warholm March, Infinitum experienced a brief drop buying Norwegian deposit return drinks. promoted the message that returning in returns. But it was not long before the empties is giving back what you have empties we had cleared out of our garages Based on statistics, Infinitum knows where borrowed. Every single bottle and can and basements resulted in a noticeable in Norway summer means higher returns counts when it comes to looking after increase in the volume of returns. and where lower. Last summer, they found nature, which we also have on loan. not only that the total return volume “We were eager to help ensure that the was higher than normal, but also that “Warholm is every Norwegian’s darling infection control measures were followed. many people were returning empties in on the athletics track, and an athlete who In spring 2020, we ran an animated different places than they normally would is constantly extending the limits. This film campaign on the reverse vending in summer. makes him a role model, and someone machines. It reminded people that, if they who can show the way and explain why all wash their hands thoroughly afterwards, “Our employees did a great job over the bottles and cans should always be put in a it is quite safe to return their empties,” summer. We managed to reorganise our reverse vending machine. We are looking says Haavik Varberg, Infinitum’s Director logistics without it affecting people’s forward to working more with Warholm in WE ARE ALL of Communications and Marketing. holidays, and without shops noticing the future,” says Haavik Varberg. changes we made. It was just as easy to The reverse vending machines are return empties last summer as it always is,” In autumn 2020, Infinitum’s facility WORLD CHAMPIONS! designed in such a way that bottles and Haavik Varberg explains. also made an appearance on NRK. cans are crushed inside the machine. They The television campaign supported Karsten Warholm is not just a winner on the As a deposit return ambassador, Warholm go straight down into a large sack, which Norway’s borders were also closed for WWF’s work to combat plastic in the sea. athletics track. He is also a world champion in reminds us that we have bo les and cans on loan is sent to Infinitum’s facility. Shop staff do much of the autumn. Consequently, In this context, NRK did some filming at returning deposit cans and bo les, as are you! and they must always be returned. All returns are not come into contact with the bottles Norwegians continued to return a lot of Infinitum’s facility in Heia and broadcast Norway is the world's top deposit return country. recycled and the environment wins every time! and cans. empties, and the total return rate for 2020 the piece during the television campaign. was a record 92 percent. Viewers learned more about the deposit Returns from unexpected places return scheme for Norwegian plastic When summer arrived, Infinitum noticed Warholm is the new ambassador bottles and how it contributes to Norway Deposit every can and bottle. that Norwegians’ holiday patterns were Just before summer 2020, Karsten not having a major problem with plastic different in 2020, which affected the Warholm took over the baton as Infinitum bottles in the sea, unlike many countries in return pattern. Closed borders resulted in ambassador from Aksel Lund Svindal. Southeast Asia.

30 31 From local to national

The family-owned Aass and Mack breweries have been producing beer since 1834 and 1877 respectively. Until the 2010s, both were local breweries serving their region. Now they deliver nationally and are strongly committed to sustainability.

Aass Bryggeri is Norway’s oldest brewery cans or steel barrels. Aluminium is and has been based in Drammen right excellent packaging for looking after beer. from the start. The brewery produces 30 It protects it from sunlight and is light to million litres of beer a year, as well as some transport, and the material is recycled, so soft drinks, with their Christmas Soda the cans are turned into new cans,” says being the biggest seller. Christian Aass, CEO of Aass Bryggeri.

“We have taken a slightly different path to The efficient use of resources, whether many breweries and now have 95 percent by recycling packaging or in other areas, of everything we produce in aluminium has been a priority at Aass in recent years.

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Their biggest investment has been in can buy back the material to make new distribution, Aass is now being delivered modernising and improving the efficiency cans and bottles,” Karlsen explains. to the entire country. This has contributed of their entire operation and production to growth and we now account for plant. In 2014, the brewery went over to 11 percent of all beer in Norway,” says wholesaler delivery, which also helped to Christian Aass. “We have invested heavily in the future, reduce transport emissions. making the plant more efficient. Some of “Groupage with other groceries means Future commitment to the solutions we came up with ourselves big efficiency gains and a smaller carbon sustainability save us a lot of energy consumption. footprint because the lorries are much Both Aass and Mack have definite plans Among other things, we energy from fuller than when we were delivering for achieving even more sustainability in cooling for brewing and cooking. In 2013 nothing but beer ourselves,” says Karlsen. the next few years. Aass wants 50 percent it took 16.8 GWh to produce 19 million of its plastic consumption to consist of beers, while in 2019 it took 12.8 GWh to Open for national distribution recycled plastic by 2021. produce 30 million. Energy consumption When intact bottles no longer had to be per litre has been cut by 50 percent,” Aass sent back to Tromsø after being returned, “We have reduced plastic consumption explains. it became possible for Mack to buy enormously in recent years and now bottle pre-forms containing the bottles use thinner plastic. We have gone from New factory outside Tromsø they distributed last time around. It also 238 grams of plastic wrap per pallet to Mack was founded in Tromsø in 1877 and became possible for Mack to expand its 130 grams. Plastic is efficient, but it is now produces around 20 million litres market and sell to more of the country. important to collect it. We are now testing of beer, as well as Coca-Cola soft drinks 50 percent recycled material for the for the whole of Northern Norway. After “We went from being a regional brewery shrink plastic and it is going well. On the 130 years in the centre of Tromsø, Mack to a national brewery, and have grown transport side, we now only have sales realised that it would have to invest in a enormously in recent years. Our market vehicles, all of which will be electric by new factory in order to compete. In 2012 share nationally has now passed 5 percent, 2025,” says Aass. it moved into a brand-new factory in and this year we have seen growth of Nordkjosbotn outside Tromsø. 45 percent. We have managed to become “We have both large and small bigger in our home market of Northern sustainability projects. In one of our “In order to satisfy the efficiency and Norway, while investing and growing in smaller projects, we are looking into sustainability requirements of Coca-Cola Southern Norway. Single-use packaging how we can reduce waste, while one of and other customers, we realised that we has also allowed us to grow abroad and the larger projects involves switching had to build a new factory. That gave us we have started exporting to Asia, for to 100 percent recycled material in the the opportunity to start from scratch and example. As a beer producer at home plastic bottles we produce for Coca-Cola. design it the way we wanted. We increased under the northern lights, we believe We have a sustainability project group that our efficiency enormously and slashed that we are the Norwegian brewery with is going to go right through the company water consumption,” says Roger Karlsen, the best qualifications to export beer and interview employees in every CEO of Mack. successfully,” says Karlsen. department. The aim is twofold, to obtain bottom-up information and suggestions as One important change that happened The switch from reusable bottles to to how we can improve, and it is important at the same time as the move to the new recyclable packaging in 2012 and the as part of our work to change attitudes. factory involved Mack switching from change to wholesaler distribution in Sustainability is a never-ending process reusable bottles to recyclable packaging. 2014 were important investments in that we are constantly working on,” Roger sustainability for Aass in Drammen too. Karlsen concludes. “It is the most important change of the last The transition to wholesaler distribution decade in terms of sustainability. We went has also contributed to growth. from getting back return packaging, which was then washed, sorted and transported “It has been a nice environmental journey, this way and that between the breweries, with transport being reduced and lorries to using recyclable packaging, where we carrying less air. Thanks to wholesaler

34 35 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

a 8,000 m2 site in a central location in reorganisation in 2016. We are gaining 60 tonnes of carbon with a change to Lillestrøm and in 2020 produced nearly momentum slowly and building brick by how the building was heated. Plastic Family factories with 3.5 million litres of soda on a state-of-the- brick,” Sylte explains. reduction and the use of recycled material art bottling line. in our bottles is discussed on a regular Roma Mineralvann’s core market has basis, and the factory made large strides “There is still a lot of craft involved in traditionally been the central part of East in this direction in the course of last year. short decision lines turning good ingredients into refreshing Norway, with Romerike as its ‘beating We increased the recycled content of soda and juice,” Marianne Bergersen heart’. It began working with several our bottles by 25 percent and achieved explains. national wholesalers in 2014. a plastic reduction of 10-20 percent per bottle,” says Marianne Bergersen. Back in family ownership Oskar Sylte is associated Oskar Sylte Mineralvannfabrikk in Molde “We have always focused on waste with pear soda, while is also approaching its centenary. Oskar sorting and recycling. Now we are also Roma is synonymous with Sylte started a commission business at the working actively to reduce our plastic consumption, and we have signed up to Asina orange soda. Since age of 20 in 1927, and in 1929 he set up factory production of soda. the Plastics Pledge,” says Oskar Dag Sylte being founded in the 1920s, jr. the two family-owned “No one in my family knows why Shared challenges soft drinks factories have grandfather went into soda. He set up Solo in 1934 together with Ringnes. As small regional soft drinks factories, grown and evolved both We still own Solo together with Ringnes Oskar Sylte and Roma have the same on the taste front and in and produce all Solo soda in Møre and advantages and challenges to a large other areas. Romsdal,” says CEO Oskar Dag Sylte jr. extent.

Oskar Sylte was 100% family owned “The greatest advantages lie in being able when it was founded. Ringnes came in to change direction quickly because we on the ownership side in 1990, and for have short decision lines. A key challenge many years Oskar Sylte bottled Ringnes is breaking into the market, which takes Roma Mineralvannfabrikk in Lillestrøm soda for Northwest Norway. The soft longer when you are small,” says Oskar celebrated its centenary in 2020, but the drinks factory has been back in the sole Dag Sylte jr. coronavirus pandemic put a damper on ownership of the Sylte family since 2014, the festivities. and production for Ringnes ceased in Marianne Bergersen at Roma points out 2016. Last year it bottled around 5 million “The biggest change for us in recent times that the biggest advantages of being small was in logistics and technology when “Roma’s big centenary turned out litres of its own products. are being able to make changes quickly we switched from reusable to recyclable differently than planned. All the and the generalist expertise you build up bottles. The factory had to make large celebrations have been postponed, Nationwide as a team. investments in order to keep up with but we managed to launch a birthday “When we separated from Ringnes, development. At the same time, we have range of Roma’s traditional Ginger Beer. a good part of our production volume “One of the biggest challenges is that our reached many more customers all over The product was one of the first to be disappeared. Finding ourselves at a competitors’ market power controls the Norway,” says Marianne Bergersen. made at ‘Den Lille Brusfabrikken’ in crossroads, we decided to discontinue majority of market activity, and that the distribution and go the wholesaler route. world and official regulations in some 1920 and was joined last autumn by two Reducing plastic volume sugar-free varieties, which together broke At around the same time, we switched areas move so quickly that it can be all records with their supermarket launch,” to recyclable packaging. As a result, Work on sustainability has also become difficult to keep up. Industry associations says CEO Marianne Bergersen. our products went from being available increasingly important at both soft drinks and multilateral cooperation are vital mainly in Møre and Romsdal to being factories. for us in this respect,” says Marianne When founder Martin Bergersen started sold nationwide. In 2020, we made Bergersen of Roma Mineralvannfabrikk. soda production in 1920, the factory it onto the shelves of all Coop stores, “Sustainability means thinking carefully was located in his home in the centre of and our products are now available from about the consequences of the choices Lillestrøm. Most production was done Coop and Bunnpris throughout Norway. we make in product development and by hand. Today, the factory occupies We have been growing gradually since the operation. We kicked off 2020 by cutting

36 37 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

“When the local population were unable to buy drinks in Sweden, sales went up, which meant more returns too, of course.” Geir Nilsen, Rema 1000 franchisee

Is the ‘Norwegian business’ here to stay?

Franchisee Geir Nilsen of Rema 1000 Ranenget in Mo i Rana was among the many people who noticed an increase in both sales and returns as a result of border closures in 2020.

Geir Nilsen’s store collected 2,806,406 cans harder now, even when the restrictions are and buying in bulk. I think this is a and bottles last year, 18 percent up on eased,” says Nilsen. permanent change in shopping patterns,” 2019. This is by far the highest figure in says Geir Nilsen. the County of Nordland and fifth highest Beer has also become slightly cheaper in Norway as a whole. in Norway, and the return rates went up It remains to be seen what Norwegian a couple of years ago. According to the shopping and return habits will be “We are close to the Swedish border, franchisee, these are measures that could like when we escape from Covid-19 which had a major impact on drinks sales. help to retain some of the drinks sales restrictions and get back the freedom we When the local population were unable when the borders reopen. have been desperately longing for. to buy drinks in Sweden, sales went up, “We also need to make sure that we have “Climate and the environment are getting which meant more returns too, of course,” the products that customers want,” he says. a lot of attention and I think the focus says Nilsen. on returning empties will remain, even More bulk buying though the pandemic is in the spotlight Measures to keep drinks sales In addition to the decline in border trade, right now. A strong commitment to He expects a gradual decline in returns he has also noticed another change in returning empties is a very good thing, as we more or less get back to normal, shopping patterns, especially for one as we need to take environmental but does not think we will go back to group of customers. challenges seriously,” says Geir Nilsen. how things were before the coronavirus “I have noticed that more customers, and pandemic. older people in particular, who used to “For the people who liked to pop over to come in several times a week for small Sweden once or twice a month it will be shops, are now combining those shops

38 39 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

Kolonial offers Covid- friendly returns collection

Kolonial experienced rapid growth in 2020, the year of Covid-19, but faced challenges with its scheme to collect returns from people’s homes. They found a good solution at the end of 2020.

An important actor in food Covid-friendly deposit return preparedness scheme Then Covid-19 hit and Louise Fuchs “We found that people were very speaks of a year that was different for them understanding during the pandemic, even too. “The heat was on during Covid-19 though our customers like the practicality and the company grew rapidly,” she says. of us taking their empties away,” says Fuchs. With Covid-19 restrictions, self-isolating and unwillingness to go into shops, “We restarted the deposit return scheme at many people made use of home delivery the end of June last year, but unfortunately Kolonial is Norway’s largest online services. had to suspend it temporarily when grocery retailer and delivers groceries to the second big wave happened in mid- both private individuals and businesses. Kolonial has gone from being a simple and November. This was challenging for us and Not everyone is aware, however, that convenient way to do your weekly shop on our customers alike, and we were finally Kolonial also offers to collect returns from a busy workday to becoming an important able to launch a Covid-friendly scheme in customers when making deliveries. “There actor in food preparedness and part of mid-December,” she goes on. is a bit of a wow factor for customers when critical infrastructure. they realise that we take their empties,” The measures include having to put the bag say Louise Fuchs, Communications Although home delivery in itself limits of returns on the doorstep before delivery, Director at Kolonial. contact with other people, Kolonial and customers must wait to return their nevertheless implemented many infection empties if they have symptoms of illness. Since starting to accept returns in 2016, control measures to reduce interfaces Kolonial has become one of the biggest at the point of delivery. When the first A lot of love and support actors and in 2020 it collected nearly wave hit in March of last year, Kolonial Louise Fuchs says that it was touching to 3.3 million bottles and cans. The empties suspended their returns collection scheme feel the support they got from customers, are collected in plastic bags, which are and at the same time started delivering to and to see how employees steeled scanned on delivery. The money is then the doorstep. themselves and tackled the situation credited to the customer’s account. head on. “I think the arrangement worked well “I think it is a really good scheme. A sack during the coronavirus pandemic. “I am very proud of how we handled last that does not leak makes it simple and The delivery people are helpful and very year, and I think all our employees are too. handy. It is great that they take empties service-minded. A lot of able people At our warehouse in Lørenskog, we had an away when they deliver your shopping,” deliver to and collect from us, and they enormous screen showing feedback from says Heidi Neilson. She and her husband stand well back from the door. It is great our customers, and there was so much have been using the deposit return scheme that Kolonial is expanding its services so love. We received lots of lovely supportive for a while. that there is no need to go to the store just messages and great understanding for the to return empties,” says Heidi. measures we had to put in place in order to deliver food safely,” she concludes.

40 41 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

“We are doing what we can to learn from Infinitum and Reverse vending machine contribute to development in making the deposit challenger grows in return system as efficient as possible.” Gudmund Larsen, Norway Managing Director of RVM Systems

Every day, 4,470,000 bottles and cans go through the reverse vending machines in Norwegian stores, and 250 sacks are filled in the back every hour. “Our job is to produce good solutions that make returns go as efficiently as possible,” says Gudmund Larsen of RVM Systems.

There are around 3,700 reverse vending inside the machine, so you just need a He estimates that around 5 percent of machines supplied by either Tomra or single shared crusher instead of one for the logistics costs for everything that is RVM Systems in Norwegian stores. bottles and one for cans. returned can be saved in this way. “Although this figure is not very large in “The reverse vending machine is not sexy, “This reduces the investment cost by itself, it adds up when you consider the either for customers or the franchisee. It is 30 percent, in addition to which it frees up total volume of bottles and cans returned just something that has to work efficiently, around 2.5 square metres, which you can in Norway every year.” without stopping,” says Gudmund Larsen, use for something else,” Larsen explains. Managing Director of RVM Systems. Important role model RVM Systems is focusing on making “Infinitum influences and helps other Reverse vending machine challenger the deposit return system efficient and countries to become good at deposit RVM Systems made its mark in the as user-friendly as possible for staff and return. We are doing what we can to Norwegian grocery sector in the past year. customers alike. learn from Infinitum and contribute to The company installed around 100 new development in making the deposit return machines and will soon have 500 reverse Primary school experiment system as efficient as possible. Efficient vending machines in Norwegian stores. Infinitum was a driving force behind the systems are vital if new countries are ‘mix’ system, which means that the bags to decide to introduce a deposit return “We saw a 60 percent increase last year, hold slightly more than if the plastic and scheme,” says Larsen. partly as a result of now having a contract aluminium were separated. with all the chains and machines installed “RVM Systems is a Scandinavian company in all chain formats. 2021 is going to be “Think back to the experiment you did that develops, installs and maintains very exciting,” says Larsen. in primary school where you had a glass deposit return systems, and is growing full of peas. Even if it looked full, there rapidly internationally. Our partners in ‘Mixing’ in store was still space when you poured salt in. several countries are now following suit, He says that the company has been on an It is just the same with plastic bottles including Scotland, which is introducing a exciting journey in recent years. and cans. The cans are smaller than the deposit return system based on Infinitum’s plastic bottles when crushed and fill the solution, where cans and plastic bottles “We have introduced ‘mix’ in empty spaces between the crushed bottles are mixed in the same containers,” Larsen collaboration with Infinitum. This means like the salt. That gives us better capacity concludes. that we crush cans and bottles together utilisation in the bags,” says Larsen.

42 43 Infinitum Annual Report 2020 Pandemic fails to stop international deposit return dream

Closed borders have made physical visits to Infinitum’s facility difficult, but a large number of international meetings have been held all the same – virtually. “It is great to see all the engagement,” says Kjell Olav Maldum, Managing Director of Infinitum

Prior to lockdown in March 2020, have had some very good conversations Infinitum received a visit from South that hopefully inspired people,” says Korea. They are working to expand the Maldum. deposit return system, which is just for glass bottles, to include plastic bottles and In addition to meetings with countries, metal cans as well. international companies and organisations are also interested in learning about the Teaching the whole world deposit return scheme in Norway. The “We have a good system that many model is also transferable to products countries want to copy. There are various other than bottles and cans. challenges that mean it is not equally simple to have similar systems elsewhere, In 2020, Infinitum gave talks to Danone, but we want to show what it takes to get Deloitte Australia and the European going,” says Kjell Olav Maldum. Association of Plastics Recycling & Recovery Organisations (EPRO), among Portugal, the Netherlands, Singapore and others. England are among the countries that had virtual meetings with Infinitum in 2020. “We are delighted to have packed so much into 2020 despite the circumstances, but Wanting to inspire change look forward to welcoming visitors in “Although not being able to show visitors person again, and continuing to learn and around our facility is strange, we feel we teach,” says Kjell Olav Maldum.

44 45 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

“We recycle people!”

The Salvation Army helps to recycle plastic bottles and cans by collecting empties from workplaces. The deposits it receives are used for activities that ‘recycle’ people.

The Salvation Army’s involvement He praises Infinitum for the values it premises. When the bins are full, we use in Infinitum’s corporate deposit stands for, and talks enthusiastically our own messenger service, ‘De ti bud’, return scheme is in its early stages, about the importance of looking after to collect the sacks and send them to but expectations are high. and reusing both material and human Infinitum,” Woldsund goes on. resources. Woldsund also stresses that “We have had very good experiences Infinitum is a valuable partner. Using our own resources collecting empties in Lillehammer, where “In addition to the messengers who come we made around NOK 50,000 in six “The Salvation Army would not have got to collect the sacks of empties as they fill months. These experiences have motivated this targeted focus on deposit return as a up, our printers in Stavanger have the task us and mean that returning empties is a source of revenue up and running had it of printing the material to go with the revenue option that we want to explore not been for the well-established system venture. It is important that we are careful in more places,” says Frode Woldsund, we encountered when we started out,” to use our own resources where we can,” Regional Manager of the Salvation Army’s he says. says Woldsund. substance abuse services The northern part of the country is also He is now hoping that more firms will join The region for which he is responsible covered by the organisation’s new venture. in and help, so that cans, plastic bottles covers large parts of East Norway and people can continue to be recycled in and Southern Norway as far north as “The northern region is focusing on years to come. The Salvation Army needs Stavanger. The Salvation Army is going to deposit return to the same degree as good locations in which to set up their set up 25 containers for collecting deposit the southern region, for which I am collection bins. bottles and cans in this area. responsible. We are using the same solution everywhere, with Infinitum “We are dependent on support in our “We will spend the money we make from bins that we set up in business premises work. If a lot of empties accumulate at this on our activities. This means that and other places where we are allowed,” your workplace and you have trouble the deposit money will be turned into he says. getting rid of them, just get in touch!” street football, sailing and cycling, and into offerings like music workshops and In Oslo, for example, the Erik Arnesen beekeeping,” Woldsund explains. car dealership chain is going to be an important partner for the Salvation Army. Set up in business premises “Us setting up our bins there means “You know, Infinitum recycles bottles and that they get rid of what they perceive cans, while we recycle people,” he adds. as a problem: empties piling up on the

46 47 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

“Plastic deposit bottles are an eco winner”

Lightweight packaging is the key to Vinmonopolet cutting its carbon emissions and plastic deposit bottles are a good solution. “We also need to work towards a high percentage of recycled material being used in the plastic bottles,” says Environment Manager Rolf Eriksen.

Vinmonopolet, Norway’s state-owned “To begin with, our suppliers had lots of deposit return system has a huge impact,” alcohol retailer, intends to cut its carbon questions and not all the plastic bottle says Vinmonopolet’s Environment Manager. emissions by 40 percent by 2030. Analyses producers in Europe could meet our carried out in 2016 show that most of requirements. They have now learned more ‘The little magic mark’ Vinmonopolet’s climate footprint comes and put what is needed in place. As a result, Using recycled plastic material in new from the packaging on their products. we are seeing more suppliers also choosing plastic bottles also has an important plastic deposit bottles for products in the environmental impact. “Packaging is still our main focus. For the order-only assortment, where it is not a grocery sector, packaging accounts for requirement,” says Eriksen. “To begin with, we focused on reducing 5 percent of climate footprint, whereas in the weight of packaging by switching our case we are talking about 40 percent. According to a packaging study carried out more products to lighter glass or plastic The packaging on our products needs by Vinmonopolet in collaboration with packaging. The next step is working to to be lighter, which is happening in two the other Nordic alcohol monopolies in have a high percentage of recycled material ways. The weight of our glass bottles has 2018, wine in standard weight glass bottles in plastic bottles. But recycled material to be reduced and more products have generates 675 grams of CO2 equivalents has to be available on the market if we to be switched to lighter packaging, such per litre in emissions. As the deposit are going to ask for it. And, paradoxically, as plastic bottles. We therefore ask for return systems in the different countries recycled plastic is more expensive than lightweight packaging on all products are not identical, the Nordic study did virgin plastic,” says Eriksen. costing less than NOK 150 that we not allow for the effect of plastic bottles source,” Rolf Eriksen, Environment being part of the deposit return system. “We can see that our customers are very Manager at Vinmonopolet, explains. Vinmonopolet has carried out similar concerned about the environment and calculations for 75 cl plastic deposit that the DRS label is ‘the little magic mark’. “A clear eco winner” bottles in collaboration with Infinitum and When customers see the DRS label, they In 2019, Vinmonopolet introduced they show 63 grams of CO2 equivalents believe the product is part of a circular stricter environmental requirements for per litre in emissions. system, whereas plastic bottles without the its suppliers. On of the requirements is label make many people think of plastic that all new plastic bottles and aluminium “Plastic deposit bottles are a clear eco in the ocean. In 2021, we need to get even cans in the standard assortment must have winner and switching as many products as better at making clear on the shelves that a deposit. possible to plastic bottles that are part of the products have a deposit,” says Eriksen.

48 49 Infinitum Annual Report 2020 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

Drink The consumer buys and enjoys a refreshing drink. RETURNS

Producer Deposit return The drinks manufacturers put drinks in bottles and cans Empty cans and bottles can be made entirely or partly from returned wherever they are sold. recycled material. The machines crush the packaging for eco-friendly transport. A circular deposit return system

For us Norwegians, the deposit return system is a given. For specialists from all over the world, it is brilliant and remarkable.

Recycling Return transport The materials are recycled into The bottles and cans are sent to pre-forms for new bottles and cans. Infinitum on lorries that have delivered goods to the stores. Climate, recycling and plastic in the the empty bottle or can back to collect the Sorting is done at Infinitum’s three world’s oceans are attracting increasing deposit. They can do this wherever deposit facilities in Bjerkvik, Trondheim and attention around the globe. Huge return drinks are sold. Fetsund. Plastic and aluminium are quantities of drinks packaging are part separated before being crushed further for of the problem, and retail, industry and The reverse vending machine crushes cans volume-efficient transport for recycling. authorities are looking for solutions. and bottles so that they take up as little The best solution they have found is in room as possible when transported. The materials are recycled into pre-forms Sorting and crushing Norway. No other country is quite as for new bottles and cans. At the drinks At Infinitum, the bottles and cans are good at collecting and recycling cans and Onward transport from the store uses manufacturer, they are filled with another sorted before being crushed even more. bottles. The key to this success is eco- empty space on the lorries that have drink and land back on the shelf in store thinking and efficiency in every link of the delivered goods and are returning to the until someone is thirsty again. And so the chain, and thinking circular. wholesaler’s warehouse. The empties are cycle continues, from bottle to bottle and sent on from the wholesaler to Infinitum’s can to can. Once the consumer has treated themselves sorting facility. to something refreshing to drink, they take

50 51 Infinitum Annual Report 2020 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

2007: 2017: The collection rate for drinks bottles Kjell Olav Maldum takes over from Jarle Producers worldwide change their mind and must be at least 77 percent by 2025 and Grytli as Managing Director. take a positive view of deposit return systems 90 percent by 2029. and their responsibility as producers. 2008: Sky News broadcasts a piece on the The deposit on bottles and cans is doubled TINE, Norway’s largest producer, Norwegian DRS, generating an influx of from NOK 1.00 to NOK 2.00, the first distributor and exporter of dairy products, visitors from all over the world wanting increase since 1986. The deposit on bottles launches drinks bottles for the first time to learn more about Infinitum’s deposit and cans larger than 500 ml also increases in 40 years. The decision to use bottles is return scheme. from NOK 2.00 to NOK 3.00. down to the DRS. The deposit return story The Ministry of Climate and Environment 2019: 2009: decides to increase deposit rates from NOK 1 Infinitum celebrates the 20th anniversary The Norwegian Climate and Pollution and NOK 2.50 to NOK 2 and NOK 3. of the current deposit return scheme 2020 was a different year with record deposit return figures. Norway’s deposit return Agency gives its approval for DRS-labelled and achieves a collection rate for both scheme for reusable bottles was set up in the early 1900s. When, in the 1980s, retailers bottles and cans used in waste-to-energy 2018: bottles and cans of 90 percent. wanted recyclable disposable packaging that could be crushed before being returned, recovery to count towards Infinitum’s Infinitum achieves its highest ever collection it became the start of the present deposit return scheme. Jan Tore Sanner, the current collection rates as well. The share of these figures, with 88.6 (95.1) percent of bottles Construction of the recycling plant at and 87.3 (98.9) percent of cans collected. Heia in Lillestrøm Municipality begins. Minister of Finance, returned the very first bottle for recycling in 1999. drink containers accounts for around 4 percent of the overall collection rate for Vinmonopolet, Norway’s state-owned Extended producer responsibility cans and around 8 percent for bottles. alcohol retailer, launches wine in PET becomes an increasingly important deposit bottles for the first time. element in the EU’s efforts to create 2011: circular economies for packaging. The EU is pushing towards a circular 1995: 1996: 1999: The environmental levy on bottles is removed because the collection rate has economy and adopts ambitious targets 2020: The DRS is approved by the Norwegian Norsk Resirk is founded with retailers and Norsk Resirk’s deposit return system exceeded 95 percent of packaging sold. and strict requirements for both collection In the year of Covid-19, Infinitum sets a Pollution Control Authority, now the industry as equal shareholders through for drinks cans and bottles is set up. and material recycling. PET bottles must record with a deposit return rate of 92% Norwegian Environment Agency. their industry associations. The system is open to all. The first can Small importers are invited to join the DRS. be made from at least 25 percent recycled and more than 1.4 billion cans and bottles is returned through the system on plastic by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030. for recycling. 3 May 1999. 2012: The environmental levy on cans is 2000: removed because the verified return rate The first recyclable bottles are registered has exceeded 95 percent of packaging sold. in the DRS. Norsk Resirk opens its own facility at Alnabru in Oslo. Mack Bryggerier, Ringnes and Coca Cola Enterprises switch from refillable bottles 2003: to recyclable PET. The other drinks In what is just the fifth year of operation manufacturers follow suit. for the company, 92 percent of all cans A new production facility opens in and 77 percent of all drinks bottles are Heimdal, just outside Trondheim, collected through the DRS. to serve Central Norway.

2004: 2013: Norsk Resirk has another successful year A new production facility opens in Heia in with an increase in the number of both Fetsund to serve Southern Norway. A new drinks cans and recyclable plastic bottles production facility opens in Bjerkvik to collected, leading to a reduction in the serve North Norway. environmental levy of 93 percent on cans and 80 percent on PET. 2014: Norsk Resirk changes its name to 2006: Infinitum. The name and logo are inspired In 1999 the now Minister of Finance Jan Tore Sanner returned the very first can to Norsk A production facility opens in Bjerkvik to by the infinite number of times bottles and Resirk’s new return scheme for bottles and cans. Then chairman Øyvind Winther and Infection control measures made face coverings necessary, as demonstrated by Christian Managing Director Jarle Grytli were also present. serve North Norway. cans can be recycled in the DRS. Volden Helverschou and Christer Torne at the Meny CC West supermarket.

52 53 Infinitum Annual Report 2020 Infinitum Annual Report 2020 Board of Directors Infinitum’s owners

Svein Sollie Hans Petter Fossum-Piene Helge Hasselgård Director Deputy chairman Board member DMF (Asko Norge AS) BS (Coca-Cola Enterprise European Partners DLS (DLF) Norge AS)

1.5% Virke Kiosk og Bensin

7.5% Daglivarehandelens Servicekontor

Sven Serck-Hansen Tore Nygaardsmoen Benno Graser 7.5% NHO Mat & Drikke Board member Board member Board member BS (Ringnes AS) CNH (Coop Norge Handel AS) DMF (Rema 1000 Distribusjon AS) 15.0% COOP Norge AS

33.5% Daglivarehandelens Miljøforum Deputy board members 2020: 35.0% Bryggeri- og Drikkevareforeningens Jens Olav Flekke Servicekontor AS DMF (DMF)

Torgeir Løftingsmo CNH (CNH)

Siv Grønning BS (Ringnes AS)

Christian Aass BS (Aass Bryggerier AS)

Thomas Weihe DLF (DLF)

54 55 Infinitum Annual Report 2020 Statistics for 2020

*Collection figures for reverse vending machines

800,887,244 585,052,366 cans returned* plastic bottles returned*

93.3% 92% of all cans sold of all cans sold

1,385,939,610 total returns

11,073 tonnes of aluminium were returned and recycled by Norsk Hydro

21,970 tonnes of plastic were returned and recycled by Veolia and Wellman

56 57 Infinitum Annual Report 2020 Infinitum Annual Report 2020

Balance sheet (figures in NOK 1,000) Financial statements Assets 2020 2019

Non-current assets Plant and equipment Infinitum AS - Income statement (figures in NOK 1,000) Land, buildings and other real property 123,033 115,142 Plant and machinery, equipment, fixtures, etc. 43,919 45,740 Operating revenues and costs 2020 2019 Plant and equipment 166,952 160,882

EPR revenues 11,012 40,759 Financial non-current assets Deposit return revenues 3,471,196 2,934,976 Net plan assets 473 536 Sale of collected materials 205,176 180,164 Financial non-current assets 473 536 Other operating revenues 64,889 45,695 Total non-current assets 167,425 161,418 Net operating revenues 3,752,273 3,201,594 Current assets Deposit return expenditure 3,290,755 2,682,941 Receivables Handling fees 298,240 249,241 Trade receivables 349,018 278,568 Transport costs 142,088 126,091 Other receivables 12,945 19,014 Other production costs 86,532 74,569 Total receivables 361,963 297,582 Total operating costs 3,817,614 3,132,842 Cash at bank and in hand, etc. 317,767 309,326 Profit from operating activities -65,341 68,752 Total current assets 679,730 606,908

Admin, marketing and depreciation 67,307 64,704 TOTAL ASSETS 847,155 768,326 Operating profit -132,648 4,048 Net financial items 3,303 5,361 Equity and assets 2020 2019 PROFIT AFTER FINANCIAL ITEMS -129,345 9,409

Equity Contributed equity Key figures Share capital (200 shares in denominations of NOK 7,500) 1,500 1,500 Tonnes % of Tonnes % added to Total paid-in capital 1,500 1,500 Supply chain No. of cans No. of PET of cans added of PET the market Retained earnings Other capital -77,518 51,828 Total sales 915,125,716 12,587 - 630,615,766 23,560 0% Total retained earnings -77,518 51,828 Value chain -55,658,642 -717 - 10,959,081 320 0% Total equity -76,018 53,328 Added (sales + value chain) 859,467,074 11,871 100% 641,574,847 23,880 100% Total returned through reverse Liabilities 800,887,244 11,072 93.3% 585,052,366 21,970 92% vending machines Current liabilities Trade payables 188,467 145,951 From central sorting plant 4,750,162 65 0.5% 1,481,472 52 0.2% Unpaid government charges and special taxes 3,356 2,975 From slag sorting 33,909,221 464 3.9% - - 0.0% Other current liabilities 7,608 8,330 From materials sorted at source 6,718,400 91 0.8% 1,802,752 65 0.3% Provision for deposit liability 723,742 557,742 Waste-to-energy 8,169,227 112 0.9% 38,206,629 1,246 5.2% Total current liabilities 923,173 714,998 Total recycled from waste 53,547,010 731 6.2% 41,490,853 1,363 5.7% Total liabilities 923,173 714,998 Total recycled 854,434,254 11,804 99.4% 626,543,219 23,332 97.7% TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 847,155 768,326 Incineration waste in bottom ash 12,421,498 170 1.4% - - - incineration 1,616,984 22 0.2% 6,136,650 196 0.8% Unknown allocations -9,005,661 -125 -1.1% 8,894,978 352 1.5% Total not returned 58,579,830 798 6.7% 56,522,481 1,919 8.0% Total 859,467,074 11,871 100% 641,574,847 23,889 100%

Foreign items 19,506,476 2,936,471

* Materials recycling ** Also represents uncertainties in the analysis

58 59 Contact 2 Production plant 5 Logistics centre Heia, Fetsund Heia, Fetsund

Southern Norway Nationwide 38 employees 3 employees

Headquarters Department Manager: Logistics Centre Manager: 1 Ståle Maldum Yngvar Aarnes Skøyen, Oslo Address: Address: Heiasvingen 59 Heiasvingen 59, Kjell Olav A. Maldum Marlene Bergh 3 1900 Fetsund 1900 Fetsund Managing Director Finance Consultant +47 909 63 999 +47 22 12 15 20 +47 900 91 896 +47 22 82 31 00 [email protected] [email protected]

Tor Guttulsrud Janna Friis Finance Director Finance Consultant +47 930 96 486 +47 22 12 15 20 3 Production plant [email protected] [email protected] Bjerkvik, Narvik

Sten Nerland Vibeke Kjøle Scansani Northern Norway Head of Logistics and Operations Finance Consultant 4 employees +47 975 98 558 +47 22 12 15 20 [email protected] [email protected] Department Manager: Ole-Rolf Dahlberg Randi Haavik Varberg Plamena Nikolaeva Communications and Marketing Finance Consultant Address: Director +47 22 12 15 20 Salomonsvei 25 +47 913 54 773 [email protected] 8530 Bjerkvik [email protected] Gina Rojahn +47 986 30 059 Vesna Cakarevic Finance Consultant Accounting Manager +47 22 12 15 20 +47 22 12 15 20 [email protected] 4 [email protected] Production plant Oscar Zio 4 Heimdal, Trondheim Svein Rune Haugsmoen Logistics Co-ordinator Controller +47 22 12 15 20 +47 22 12 15 20 [email protected] Central Norway [email protected] 5 employees

Roger Hushovd Department Manager: Controller Åge Skagen +47 22 12 15 20 [email protected] Address: 2/5 Torgårdstrøa 5 1 7072 Heimdal

+47 920 51 399

60 61 Infinitum

Office address: Karenslyst allé 9c 0278 Oslo Norway

PO Box: Postboks 447 Skøyen 0213 Oslo Norway

Tel.: (+47) 22 12 15 20 Email: [email protected] www.infinitum.no www.infinitumovement.no

Text and design: Apeland AS

Photos: iStock/Biletskiy Evgeniy: cover iStock/Everste: p 2 iStock/Glenn Pettersen: p 5 Katrine Lunke/Apeland: pp 6–15, 19–22, 28, 36, 40–48, 53, 57, 62 CF-Wesenberg: p 17 Margaret Renata Aulejtner: p 25–26 Simen Falck: p 32 Torgrim Rath Olsen/Nordlys: p 34 Oscar Sylte: p 37 Bjørn Leirvik: p 39

Printing: Trykksakdesign