Empowering Field Service Teams to Drive the Resource Revolution

Drawing from his global experience, van der Merwe outlined how Tomra is weaving circularity and sustainability into every aspect of its operations, with a particular focus on empowering field service teams to lead the charge in the resource revolution.

Tomra’s Commitment to Circularity and Sustainability

As a global leader in sensor-based solutions across recycling, food, and mining industries, Tomra is uniquely positioned to address the mounting global waste crisis. 

Van der Merwe highlighted a stark reality: “Annually, we produce about 2.01 billion metric tons of waste, and only 9% of that waste is actually being recycled today. The rest either goes into landfills or incineration plants.” These alarming figures underline the scale of the challenge, as well as the opportunity.

Tomra’s mission is to change this narrative by helping businesses extract maximum value from waste while reducing their environmental footprint. The recycling division, though the smallest of Tomra’s three business units, is the fastest growing, driven by innovations in sensor-based sorting technology and a commitment to sustainability.

“We’re not just providing equipment,” van der Merwe emphasized. “We’re empowering businesses to enhance their resource efficiency and make tangible strides toward circularity.”

Four Pillars of Sustainability

Tomra’s sustainability strategy is built on four pillars designed to integrate resource efficiency and environmental responsibility across its operations.

1. Sustainable Product Design

From inception to end-of-life, Tomra integrates sustainability into product development. Legacy equipment, often not designed with serviceability in mind, presented challenges. 

Today, the company focuses on modularity and upgradability, ensuring products are easier to maintain and have extended lifespans.

2. Sustainable Supply Chains

Reducing emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 remains a priority. While addressing direct emissions is relatively straightforward, managing Scope 3 emissions—those from suppliers and customers—requires collaboration. 

Tomra works closely with its partners, educating them on sustainability practices to foster alignment. “We see ourselves not just as somebody that will set targets but as consultants helping our suppliers and customers reduce their CO2,” van der Merwe explained.

3. Climate Targets

Tomra has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2050. The company is making strides by electrifying its fleet (51% of field service vehicles in Germany are now electric) and incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels at production sites.

4. Employee Value and Inclusiveness

A key part of Tomra’s sustainability strategy lies in fostering an inclusive and purpose-driven workplace. “How do we make sure everything we do is fair, inclusive, as well as attracting newer talent to the business?” van der Merwe asked. 

To answer this, Tomra invests in training programs that not only educate employees about circularity but also create a motivated workforce aligned with the company’s environmental mission.

Transforming Field Service Operations

Van der Merwe detailed several transformative initiatives aimed at making field service operations more sustainable and efficient:

• Decentralized Teams: Positioning engineers closer to customer sites allows Tomra to significantly reduce travel times and associated emissions.

• Route Optimization: Engineers now prioritize direct flights, minimizing layovers to cut CO2 emissions. Advanced management tools provide real-time data on each trip’s carbon footprint, enabling data-driven decisions.

• Remote Service Capabilities: With a 10-year vision to transition to 100% remote service, Tomra is investing heavily in diagnostic tools and augmented reality. Currently, 70-80% of service calls are resolved remotely, reducing the need for on-site visits.

These initiatives reflect Tomra’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, not only in its own operations but across its entire value chain.

Circularity in Action: A Lifespan Approach

Tomra’s approach to circularity extends beyond product design and sales. “Normally, the question we ask ourselves is: if that unit is out of operation, what happens to it? Where does it end up?” van der Merwe said. 

Tomra creates a closed-loop system by incorporating recycled materials from end-of-life products, which customers are encouraged to return for repurposing into new equipment.

Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling Sustainability

Scaling sustainability globally is no small feat. Regulatory frameworks often dictate progress, and Tomra has seen varying results worldwide. 

“In the U.S., to deposit landfill costs about $15 a ton, while recycling costs between $100 to $200 a ton,” van der Merwe explained. “What’s the best option? A lot of stuff—more than 50%—in the U.S. goes to landfill.”

In contrast, Europe’s regulations have driven greater adoption of recycling and circularity practices. Van der Merwe stressed that ambitious goals require collective action: “More regulation will really help drive more circularity in what we use today.”

A Vision for the Future

Van der Merwe concluded his keynote with a message of optimism: “You can be very sustainable and also very profitable.” Tomra’s bold goal of achieving 100% remote service within the next decade underscores its commitment to innovation and long-term planning. 

The company’s vision goes beyond operations—it’s about fostering collaboration with suppliers, empowering customers, and cultivating a motivated workforce. “Leading the resource revolution while becoming fully circular is not just about what we do as a company,” he stated, emphasizing the ripple effect of Tomra’s efforts. 

By aligning sustainability with profitability, Tomra offers a clear roadmap for industries striving to transition to a circular economy, proving that environmental responsibility is also a smart business strategy.