- Why not produce microfiber in Denmark or Europe to increase the sustainability?
- The reduction of CO2 can only be included in our CO2 accounts when the industrial roll is purchased instead of a paper roll. How can you then describe the system as one that provides a CO2 saving?
- Why not use only polyester in the products?
- Why only recycle Nordic Swan ecolabelled products?
- How is the CO2 saving calculated – where are the savings made?
- Why recycle microfiber, and not just burn it and make energy out of it?
- Did you just create the system to sell more Nordic Swan Ecolabelled cloths and mops?
- Why are you the ones making this system? Why not leave it to the municipality or other waste operators?
- Why make an industrial roll of used Nordic Swan Ecolabelled cloths and mops?
- How are the products recycled?
- Where are the products being recycled?
- Who has verified and compiled the documented svings on CO2, water, and energy?
Frequently asked questions
Why not produce microfiber in Denmark or Europe to increase the sustainability?
To have the production close to the raw materials and the subcontractors of packaging, dyeing etc. Suppliers of polyester are to be find in Europe, but they produce to functional products, for example clothes.
The reduction of CO2 can only be included in our CO2 accounts when the industrial roll is purchased instead of a paper roll. How can you then describe the system as one that provides a CO2 saving?
We have developed a return system that gives microfiber a new life. We have therefore created an alternative to the current solution, where it is simply thrown out and burned. For that to be possible, it has to be recycled into a new product that replaces another. Unfortunately, we cannot provide the answer to how your accounts are managed. Therefore, you have to ask your compliance, whether it can be counted in or not. Overall, the return system is about the fact that we have taken the first step in the sustainable transformation of a waste fraction that no one has cracked the code for until now.
Why not use only polyester in the products?
It’s possible in principle, but the functionality of the product will be decreased e.g. it will be 5-10 denier when it is produced without polyamide. Microfiber cleans much better, while using far less chemicals and water, which increases sustainability, ergonomics and indoor climate.
Why only recycle Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products?
- Guarantee of high-quality raw materials
- This ensures the quality of the recycled industrial rolls
- We push for sustainable development
- Hopefully, more people will choose Nordic Swan Ecolabelled props when they can be reused. And it doesn’t have to be NMF’s, because we accept all brands, as long as they are Nordic Swan Ecolabelled
How is the CO2 saving calculated – where are the savings made?
The savings only occur the moment the industrial roll is used instead of a paper roll. We have created an alternative to the current solution, where microfiber is thrown out and burned. For that to be possible, it has to be recycled into a new product that replaces another.
Why recycle microfiber, and not just burn it and make energy out of it?
To be part of the circular economy, where we keep materials and products in an economic cycle with the highest possible value for as long as possible. Opposite linear economy, where products start as resources and end up as waste and are burned. The return system helps to keep materials in an economic cycle, because microfiber gets an extra life. In the long term, it will remain in circulation for a longer time – when technology can spin it into new yarns. The return system therefore utilizes resources rather than burning them.
Did you just create the system to sell more Nordic Swan Ecolabelled cloths and mops?
No, we have developed it to be at the forefront of the green transition within professional cleaning supplies. We will drive the development. But we think it is positive if it means that we – or others – sell more Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products, because it is the most sustainable choice. And it doesn’t have to be NMF’s products, because we accept all brands, as long as they are Nordic Swan Ecolabelled.
Why are you the ones making this system? Why not leave it to the municipality or other waste operators?
We want to do what we say, we do: we look after the environment, and we are at the forefront of the green transition. We know that other players have not come to this waste fraction yet and may not do so for several years. So, we saw that here we could make a concrete difference.
Why make an industrial roll of used Nordic Swan Ecolabelled cloths and mops?
It was neither the first option nor our final goal. We have investigated several different options, including to spin new yarns or remelt it into plastic, which could be used to produce our plastic products. We researched, tested and analyzed everything in collaboration with the Technological Institute. Our ambition is to spin the products into new yarns as soon as it is technologically possible.
How are the products recycled?
When we have collected a large quantity of used microfiber cloths and mops, we send them to be broken down at a textile mill. Here they are broken down mechanically without the use of chemicals. The collected microfiber products must be processed before they are ready to be given new life in a recycled product. Therefore, they are broken down very finely, so that we can produce industrial rolls from the many tons of used microfiber. They are produced in a Danish factory.
Where are the products being recycled?
On a Danish textile mill where they products are ground. Afterwards the industrial reels are produced on a Danish factory.
Who has verified and compiled the documented svings on CO2, water og energy?
Danish Technological Institute. We have a report with the documentations which can be sent upon request.
