Waste

Introduction

SolWaste presents a methodology to define a roadmap for the abattement of non sustainable industrial waste abatement while minimizing waste management costs. To do so, SolWaste provides:

• A Waste diagnostic methodology including data preparation & ideation workshops focusing on most impacting production units & waste streams.
• A set of proven best practices to better manage industrial processes in a more sustainable way at lower costs. 
• A library of key technologies allowing for more sustainable & less costly waste treatment solutions.

The scope of this standard includes :

• Non-hazardous liquid and solid waste treatment; gathering, recovery and disposal of non-dangerous waste. 
• Hazardous liquid and solid waste treatment; gathering, recovery and disposal of dangerous waste. 
• Products or by-products treated or valorized by a supplier at a cost for Solvay, being or not classified as waste.
• Expenses paid to collect (manpower supplied and/or rental equipment), transport, treat, and valorize the waste, including all taxes related to such waste streams.
• Scope of technologies and waste treatment services within this package (recovery/ recycling, incineration with/without energy recovery, landfill).

Key Definitions

By-products: a material that is not deliberately produced but is produced as an integral part of the process,  for which there is a certain reuse application without further processing. 

The definition of a waste can vary from one country to another. More details in the Regulatory Guidelines for Waste initiatives.

Waste: usually described as any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard. 

The definition of a waste can vary from one country to another. More details in the Regulatory Guidelines for Waste initiatives.

Non Sustainable Industrial Waste (NSIW) : any waste that is landfilled or incinerated without energy recovery.

The Reference for (non) Hazardous classification of a waste can vary from one country to another. More details in the Regulatory Guidelines for Waste initiatives).

Data collection

• Consolidated table of volumes, costs, Haz / Non Haz classification and treatment method for all waste streams;
• Block diagrams at plant-level to map main Waste flows;
• Integrate data from Material Use workstream (cost & scope 3 impact of material losses)
• Composition of key waste streams currently not sustainably treated;
• What is hindering a more sustainable treatment?
• Organic growth / step changes / discontinuity perspectives of the main Waste flows;
• Past & Ongoing projects and ideas to optimize the valorization of main waste streams;

→ Excel summary for data sharing

→ Data collection process detailed here

→ Data collection best practices

Optimization levers for waste management treatment

#1: Apply the sustainable waste management hierarchy (Reduce > Reuse > Recycle > Energy > Dispose)

#2: Reduce volume at the source.

#3: Sort at the source.

#4: Know the detailed composition & calorific value of the waste.

#5: Reduce hazardness of the waste (can facilitate Waste to Energy options).

#6: Be connected to the SOP Task Force on Waste. Share & learn best practices.

#7: Use the Solvay Waste Bank to foster synergies within Solvay.

#8: Connect with local ecosystems & external partners. Collaborate with Solvay suppliers & customers.

#9: Use external Waste exchange platforms. Submit waste offers.

#10: No saving at the expense of the planet. Switching from energy recovery to landfill is not an option.

→ Best practices examples here

→ Technologies and tools

Roadmap definition and implementation

The roadmap is divided into 5 phases (more details here):

• Data Collection
• Waste Workshops
• Consolidation of ideas in macro packages
• Prioritization and planning
• Roadmap validation