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Photo: defaultBy Tomas Breddam (S), Mayor of Roskilde and Chairman of ARGO, and Trine Lindegaard Holmberg, CEO of ARGO
For decades, the waste sector has performed an important environmental and utility task with high efficiency and responsibility. Now we're at a crucial next step: tackling the CO₂ still emitted from residual waste. At ARGO, we are ready - ready to deliver concrete climate action and show how the waste sector can become a driving force in meeting Denmark's climate goals.
Waste is not just waste. Some can be used again. Some can be turned into new products. And some ends up as residual waste. Residual waste is the part we haven't yet cracked the code for - and the amount is large, both in Denmark and in Europe.
At ARGO, we incinerate around 350,000 tonnes of residual waste every year. Not because that's the goal, but because it's the last step in the waste life cycle. In 2024, we generated district heating and electricity - enough to supply 135,000 households on Zealand with either heat or power. Energy created from the waste that no one else could use.
It is also worth noting that residual waste is an often overlooked but significant energy source. According to the Danish Energy Agency, the waste-to-energy sector accounts for around 26-27 percent of all district heating in Denmark - just over one quarter. This emphasizes that the sector already plays a crucial role in the Danish energy supply.
We also know the flip side. Incineration emits CO₂ - and ARGO emits approximately 350,000 tonnes per year. The smoke is cleaned of harmful substances, but CO₂ still escapes. That's the climate footprint of residual waste, and we want to take responsibility for it.
Therefore, we have applied for prequalification for the state's carbon capture pool. The project, which will remove CO₂ from the flue gas at our plant in Roskilde, is based on known technology, strong partnerships and a thorough analysis of economy and climate impact.
Carbon capture is not a quick fix, but a necessary next step as long as residual waste exists - and so it will in both Denmark and the EU for many years to come. According to the think tank CONCITO, waste incineration should be among the primary sources of carbon capture. Therefore, funds from the carbon capture pool should be targeted where the climate impact is greatest for every cent invested.
If the entire waste sector follows the same path as ARGO, together we can capture up to 3.0 million tonnes of CO₂ annually - in Denmark alone. This will make the waste sector a key player in the green transition - where it's all about proven CO₂ reductions.
Carbon capture from residual waste is crucial if Denmark is to reach its climate goals. Without it, we will not achieve a 70 percent reduction by 2030 or climate neutrality by 2050 - as the Climate Act requires. It's no longer a question of vision, but of the will to act.
Carbon capture is not just an option. It's a must if the waste sector is to take the next step - from efficient waste management to active climate reduction. And with ARGO as a driving force, Zealand is a place where the industry can see how climate responsibility translates into reality. For years, ARGO has delivered on environment and supply. Now we are ready to take the next step - and show how our sector is a driving force in the green transition.