At a time when sustainable resource use is high on the agenda, EWG Recycling AB is taking an important and bold step: It is becoming the first company in Sweden to recycle soil contaminated with invasive plant species, and it is doing it with the help of Norwegian technology.
In June, the very first SoilSaver 20 machine from SoilSteam will be installed at EWG’s facility in Flen. The machine uses steam treatment to eliminate seeds and plant material from problematic species such as Japanese knotweed, lupines, and giant hogweed – plants that have caused serious challenges for both biodiversity and infrastructure.
A Growing Problem – and a Circular Solution
Soil contaminated with invasive species has long been a headache in Sweden. The usual solution has been to send large volumes of earth to landfill – an expensive and unsustainable practice. EWG Recycling aims to change that.
“We’re seeing stricter regulations from authorities to stop the spread of invasive species, and rightly so. But this has also led to large amounts of valuable soil being discarded, simply because the technology to clean it hasn’t been available – until now,” says Max Lindqvist, CEO of EWG Recycling.
Over the next few months, EWG expects to receive around 30,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil – the equivalent of approximately 2,000 truckloads.
“Now we can clean and reuse this resource instead of filling up landfills. It’s a concrete and important step toward a more circular approach to soil and excavation mass handling. Landfilling should be the last resort.”
Norwegian Technology with European Potential
For SoilSteam, this partnership with EWG marks a key entry into the Swedish market.
“We’ve had ongoing dialogue with Swedish authorities and major players like the Swedish Transport Administration. There’s a growing understanding that soil is a valuable resource, and that landfilling only provides temporary control – not a real solution. EWG is a forward-thinking, innovative partner that shares our vision for circular resource use. We’re excited to begin this collaboration in Sweden,” says Hans Kristian Westrum, founder and CSO at SoilSteam.
A Green Shift – One Truckload at a Time
This isn’t just a tech update – it’s a shift in how we think about soil and waste. Instead of treating soil contaminated with invasive plants as a problem to be buried, EWG and SoilSteam see it as an opportunity for value creation and environmental gain.
Sweden now has its first facility for steam-based soil remediation. Will more follow soon?