Sveza enhances waste management systems at its plywood mills

Sveza Group has completed a major upgrade of its waste management infrastructure, introducing improved systems for separate waste collection at its plywood mills in St. Petersburg, Kostroma Region, and Perm Region. The work included modernizing storage areas for secondary materials and setting up on-site sorting processes at the points of waste generation.

The company’s waste management program is an ongoing effort integrated into every stage of the production cycle. The program focuses on maximizing the use of wood resources and expanding the range of products made from wood residuals. Sveza’s plywood mills already produce fuel briquettes and firewood for local markets — an approach that increases resource efficiency and reduces the amount of non-recoverable waste.

The new system for separate waste collection is organized at the source. Work areas are equipped with clearly labeled containers for different types of materials, allowing the company to manage secondary material streams before they reach centralized storage points. The upgraded storage areas ensure safe, orderly storage and prepare recyclable materials for transfer to processing partners.

At the Manturovo mill in the Kostroma Region, new secured shelters have been installed for the separate storage of film, cardboard, plastic strapping, and other recyclable materials. The Uralsky mill in the Perm Region has upgraded the temporary storage area for used oils with a design that prevents contact with soil and precipitation, strengthening environmental protection. In St. Petersburg, construction of new secondary-resource storage areas has been completed and the infrastructure is ready for commissioning.

“Our aim is to build a clear, consistent approach to waste handling—from the moment waste is generated to the point it is sent for recycling. Separate collection and well-organized storage sites are not cosmetic changes; they are essential to environmental safety and to maintaining a responsible production culture. The more recyclable materials we can return to use, the greater the benefit for the environment and for local communities,” said Yulia Barial, Environmental Manager at Sveza.