Waste: A Game of Snakes and Ladders? : Chemical
Researched by the Queen's Iniversity of Belfast
With the potential for serious environmental damage, public sensitivity and high value waste streams, it is no surprise that the chemical sector leads UK industry in waste management innovation.
Our survey confirms that the chemical industry understands the need to accept complete ownership of its waste. Three-quarters (75 per cent) of the chemical industry - more than any other sector - have taken Take Back liability to heart; major chemical companies are increasingly pursuing 'cradle to grave' philosophies, and indeed, with growing environmental concern, this has become an essential aspect of marketing for them.
This level of understanding is reflected in that all chemical companies questioned are also aware of the implications of Duty of Care. This is to be expected since it is in the traditions of the chemical industry to take a serious approach to safety and environmental protection. Legislation and codes of ethics are behind this, but the need to act is compounded by strong commercial considerations: this sector is most likely (55 per cent) to see waste management as an opportunity to achieve competitive advantage, possibly because it also has the most to lose by poor practice in terms of public image.
So, while the rest of UK industry is still in the early stages of implementing formal environmental management systems, over six out of ten (62 per cent) of chemical companies currently have such a programme in place. Of the rest, a further 82 per cent are planning one.
The chemical industry also performs strongly in the implementation of waste minimisation: 73 per cent of companies have a programme in place and, of the rest, a further 75 per cent are planning one. Over nine in ten (93 per cent) are addressing energy saving, and over eight in ten l87 per cent) are considering process change.
These findings show that the chemical sector is further ahead than any other in examining waste management, processes and product design.
As a whole, the chemical industry also rigorously recycles the majority of surplus materials: effluents are, however, the exception, with 75 per cent of companies not making this part of the recycling loop. However, only two-thirds (66 per cent) cite financial incentives as the main reason to recycle, which is surprisingly low, considering the high value of the products and the increasing cost of discharge and waste disposal.
This might well be because while nine in ten companies (92 per cent) - more than any other sector - are aware of waste spend, only half (51 per cent) actually measure the purchase cost of wasted materials. By far the majority (94 per cent) just measure the contractor costs of waste disposal.
However, it is worth noting that investment on environmental protection is in a state of uncertainty. Figures from the Chemical Industries Association predict that while environmental investment as a percentage of total capital expenditure will continue to increase this needs to be seen in the context of a decrease in overall capital spend.
Minimisation and recycling are, of course, essential and effective, but they are limited. However, working with the waste industry at the early stages of product development can help companies examine solutions for the long term disposability of various by-products. This 'holy grail' of waste management is almost in reach for the chemical industry.
A wide range of companies were interviewed ranging from major household names to small businesses. The companies were involved in various areas including petrochemicals, fibres and polymers, agrochemicals, pharmaceutical products, fine chemicals, catalysts, adhesives, waxes and pigments, soaps and detergents.
Legislation
- EC Hazardous waste guidelines and redefinition
- Liquids codisposal to landfill
- Revised UN standards on transportation containers
- Basle Convention on the export of toxic waste to Third World
- Local Authority Air Pollution Control (LAAPC)
- DOE discussion paper: reducing emission of hazardous chemicals to the environment
Process Change
- Need to ensure BATNEEC (Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Costs)
- Product redevelopment, eg to eliminate CFCs
- Change in disposal practices
- Bulking up & returnable containers
- Minimisation of particularly difficult constituents in the waste stream, eg cadmium, heavy metals and inorganics
- Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Pollution (HMIP) Best Practicable
- Environment Option Initiatives (BPEO consultative document)
Environmental Effects
- Environment protection and reduced effluent
- Reduced damage to ozone layer
- Third World protection
- Corporate environmental 'footprinting'
