Facts, Not Green Claims: Measurability as a Game Changer for Demonstrable Impact in the Circular Economy
Environmentally friendly, climate-neutral, sustainable: claims like these may sound appealing at first – and in the past were often used carelessly to enhance the image of products and companies. But what is really behind such “green claims”? What impact do products or companies actually achieve? And how can that impact be measured and substantiated?
Red Card for Greenwashing
Good intentions alone are no longer enough to convince customers, business partners or authorities. The EmpCo Directive, which entered into force in September 2026 and has tightened the rules across Europe, is intended to create greater transparency: companies marketing products or services to consumers will in future have to substantiate environmental claims with robust facts. Legislators are also placing companies under greater obligations when it comes to sustainability reporting. Under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), for example, companies must disclose the actual positive or negative impacts of their activities on the environment and society. Determining valid key figures is an indispensable basis for credibly presenting impact.
Scientifically Proven: Recycling Makes a Difference!
This is precisely what the “resources SAVED by recycling” study by Fraunhofer UMSICHT delivers for the circular economy. The researchers at the renowned institute measure precisely how keeping materials in the loop affects the environment. Interzero recently published the results for 2025: together with its customers, Europe’s leading circular economy service provider saved more than 7.2 million tonnes of primary resources by recycling around 2 million tonnes of materials. At the same time, more than 900,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions were avoided.
The life cycle assessment not only demonstrates the total savings achieved through Interzero’s recycling activities; the specific contribution made by each individual customer can also be calculated precisely on the basis of the scientific study. Once a year, Interzero provides its customers with a free individual certificate documenting the amount of resources saved and emissions avoided. For companies, this is an important component of fact-based sustainability communication.
Paving the Way for Expanding the Circular Economy
The Fraunhofer UMSICHT study is based on the internationally recognised Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The researchers compare every process step involved in extracting primary raw materials with the corresponding recycling processes. To do so, they compare data from Interzero – such as recycling volumes, transport distances and the energy consumption of sorting and processing facilities – with information from Sphera’s databases (LCA for Experts). These databases contain validated figures on greenhouse gas emissions and the quantities of raw materials used in primary production.
The study results show that recycling enables significant savings in resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared with extracting primary raw materials. In addition, using recycled raw materials can reduce dependence on primary resources. Precise measurements are essential on the path towards a genuine zero-waste economy that keeps materials in efficient circulation and wastes as few resources as possible. Only when the impact of the circular economy is not merely claimed but substantiated can credibility be established – enabling businesses and policymakers to support its strategic potential for the future with solid figures.
