Kilenkrysset makes a climate-smart choice

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Through a conscious choice, the construction and real estate group Kilenkrysset has saved 11.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2023, by replacing plastic filter frames with recycled steel filter frames. Is it really that simple? Yes, it's exactly that simple. Together with Dinair AB, the search for the hidden plastic has endeavoured to make as climate-smart a material choice as possible. 

In Sweden, around three million air filters are consumed annually, most of which are made of plastic that is incinerated after use. The average filter weighs 1.3kg, which is equivalent to about 650 plastic cups or 130 plastic bags.

-"I don't think any company in today's enlightened Sweden would be comfortable burning that much plastic, at least not consciously," says Malin Björklund, a sales representative at Dinair.

Malin is one of the key players in the successful project to identify improvements and introduce wise material choices.

-"Kilkrysset is one of our customers that really leads by example and is at the forefront of climate action. They have been open to making changes such as testing new materials with the aim of reducing energy consumption and overall environmental impact, which I believe is absolutely necessary in these times when climate emissions need to be reduced rapidly. At the same time, we have ensured a sufficiently high level of insulation to create a healthy indoor climate for tenants and to protect the equipment in the building. 

-As we are a serious player in the market, it is a matter of course for us to work for sustainable development. In 2022, we began the work of environmentally certifying our existing properties based on BREEAM In-Use with the aim of working towards; Very Good or Excellent and to enter into partnerships with suppliers who can help us further reduce the environmental impact. When we received information about the possibility of significant CO2 reduction, it therefore felt like a natural step to choose bag filters made with recyclable steel frames," says Per Heikman, business developer at Kilenkrysset.

- I would say that it was no difference at all for us, we think sustainability throughout the chain from construction and acquisition to extensions and management, so changing products was neither new nor scary for us," explains Per. 


- It's not complicated, you just replace one filter with another, and for us it hasn't involved any additional cost. In fact, I think that soon you will have no choice. Whether that is because it is a tenant requirement or a legal requirement remains to be seen. So my advice to other property owners is: Act now! 

Those who claim to be environmentally friendly because they use recycled plastic in their filter frames have failed to take into account the waste ladder. A filter frame that can be recycled an infinite number of times is a much better choice than a filter with a recycled plastic frame that has to be burnt. The steel is separated from the filter media in shredding plants and sorted out using magnets, and what may remain after incineration is recycled from the ash. This is both circular and climate-smart!

Malin is one of the key players in the successful project to identify improvements and introduce wise material choices.

-"Kilkrysset is one of our customers that really leads by example and is at the forefront of climate action. They have been open to making changes such as testing new materials with the aim of reducing energy consumption and overall environmental impact, which I believe is absolutely necessary in these times when climate emissions need to be reduced rapidly. At the same time, we have ensured a sufficiently high level of insulation to create a healthy indoor climate for tenants and to protect the equipment in the building. 

-As we are a serious player in the market, it is a matter of course for us to work for sustainable development. In 2022, we began the work of environmentally certifying our existing properties based on BREEAM In-Use with the aim of working towards; Very Good or Excellent and to enter into partnerships with suppliers who can help us further reduce the environmental impact. When we received information about the possibility of significant CO2 reduction, it therefore felt like a natural step to choose bag filters made with recyclable steel frames," says Per Heikman, business developer at Kilenkrysset.

- I would say that it was no difference at all for us, we think sustainability throughout the chain from construction and acquisition to extensions and management, so changing products was neither new nor scary for us," explains Per. 


- It's not complicated, you just replace one filter with another, and for us it hasn't involved any additional cost. In fact, I think that soon you will have no choice. Whether that is because it is a tenant requirement or a legal requirement remains to be seen. So my advice to other property owners is: Act now! 

Those who claim to be environmentally friendly because they use recycled plastic in their filter frames have failed to take into account the waste ladder. A filter frame that can be recycled an infinite number of times is a much better choice than a filter with a recycled plastic frame that has to be burnt. The steel is separated from the filter media in shredding plants and sorted out using magnets, and what may remain after incineration is recycled from the ash. This is both circular and climate-smart!

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