How Capgemini and Spare-it Are Tackling Plastic Waste with Real-Time Data

From Plastic Problem to Circular Progress: Insights from Capgemini’s World Environment Day Webinar with Spare-it CEO Laurent Canneva

On World Environment Day, Capgemini hosted a key session in its "Get Sustainable" series for their employees, featuring Laurent Canneva, Co-founder and CEO of Spare-it. His talk, titled “From the Plastic Problem to Circular Progress,” explored how real-time data can drive measurable sustainability outcomes across corporate workplaces.

This session highlighted how data-driven waste tracking can support zero-waste goals and build a more circular economy within organizations.

Understanding the Scale of the Plastic Waste Problem

Global plastic production now exceeds 460 million metric tons annually, with approximately half destined for single-use applications, such as packaging. Yet only 9% of plastic waste is recycled—the rest is landfilled, incinerated, or otherwise mismanaged, often leaking into ecosystems

Laurent emphasized that although plastics offer practical benefits, they persist in ecosystems for centuries, contributing to pollution and health risks. Addressing the issue requires systemic changes in product design, waste infrastructure, and consumer behavior.

The China Ban: A Wake-Up Call for Global Recycling

Until 2018, a significant portion of plastic waste from Western countries was exported to China. At its peak, the United States alone shipped nearly 700,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually. When China banned these imports in 2018, it exposed significant gaps in global recycling systems, forcing governments and corporations to develop domestic alternatives.

Rather than a setback, Laurent described this shift as a catalyst for progress. The ban spurred more robust policy responses, accelerated infrastructure investment, and encouraged innovation from companies like Eastman and Greyparrot in chemical and AI-enabled recycling technologies.

Capgemini and Spare-it: Real-Time Waste Tracking in Action

Spare-it partnered with Capgemini to deploy a waste intelligence system across 10 North American offices. The solution includes WiFi-free smart scales and AI-enabled waste analysis, providing real-time insights at the bin and floor levels.

This enabled Capgemini to identify common contamination issues, such as snack wrappers and mis-sorted paper towels, and to engage teams through digital displays and real-time dashboards. The result is a more informed and motivated workforce, aligned with the company's goal of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2030.

Capgemini’s “Zero Hero” Campaign: Shifting Behavior with Data

Following Laurent’s presentation, Erika Mercado, CRES EHS Americas Lead at Capgemini, introduced the Zero Hero internal employee campaign. This initiative encourages Capgemini team members to reduce their use of single-use plastics and improve waste sorting.

Using Spare-it data, the team was able to pinpoint top contamination items and tailor outreach accordingly. The campaign also introduced infrastructure updates, including the addition of compost bins and clearer signage to support proper disposal practices.

What Comes Next

Capgemini's example demonstrates how meaningful waste reduction is possible when organizations are equipped with actionable data. Spare-it provides visibility that empowers teams to track performance, identify areas for improvement, and foster a culture of accountability.

If your organization is exploring ways to integrate sustainability into everyday operations, we're happy to share what we've learned.

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