Pollution Prevention and Beyond in the IT Industry

Gergely TóthHungarian Association for

Environmental Management (KÖVET-INEM Hungária)

NATO ARW, Budapest, September 1-3, 2003

Content

KÖVET in a nutshell Short-term optimization (prevention) Long term thinking (sustainability)

KÖVET in a nutshell

Our mission

KÖVET in a nutshell

Established: October 1995Status: Non-profit, non-governmental, associationMembers: 56 companies, 21 other organizationsBudget: 256 thousand euro (grant applications)Experts: Secretariat of 8 experts + 2 admin.

Programs

publications

training execution

Environmentally friendly officeEnvironmental savingsProducts and environmentReports verification, eco-ratingEnv. performance evaluation

Content

KÖVET in a nutshell Short-term optimization (prevention) Long term thinking (sustainability)

Short-term optimization (prevention)

DISPOSAL COSTS waste handling and transport fines mitigation, cleaning

PRODUCTION COSTS OF RESIDUALS purchase cost of wasted materials price of lost energy using production capacity wages for process and separate cost of temporary storage

Visible environmental costsonly build the tip of the

iceberg

Visible environmental costsonly build the tip of the

iceberg

environmental costsenvironmental costs

2000-2001: energy redusction, local lighting,

optimization of heating and conditioning

20-25% reduction of energy input per product 13 million HUF

12 million HUF 87 million HUF

2.1 months

Example 1. from electronic industry

1999: 95-100% separation and recycling of tin, metal and mixed

waste

754 tons less waste in 2001, as in 1999 0 HUF

30 million HUF 82-87 million HUF

immediate

Example 2. from electronic industry

Case studies from 12 companiesCompany Activity Employee

s

1. Audi Hungária Automobile 5000

2. BÁRCZY Environmental Oil cleaning kits 4

3. BIOKOM Municipal Co. Waste management 175

4. Csabai Canning Co. Frozen food 250

5. Denso Manufacturing Hungary Car parts 600

6. Hungarian Post Post services 43664

7. Phoenix Rubber+Conveyor Belts Rubber and products 705

8. Printrex Office equipment 43

9. Sony Hungária Electronics 652

10. TVK – Tisza Chemical Works Chemical compounds 2185

11. Villeroy & Boch Hungary Bath appliances 1142

12. Waterworks of Pécs Water utility 410

3.3 M €3.3 M € 11 M €M €

6.5 M €6.5 M € 7.27.2 monthsmonths

Total savings 12 12 companiescompanies

44 44 environmental environmental measuresmeasures

790 000 m3 water 108 000 l fuel55 GJ energy75 t solvents180 000 m3 gas400 m3 PET6 700 t non-haz. waste52 000 t hazardous

waste1 500 t hydrocarbons

Low hanging fruits = Economic benefits easy to harvest

Content

KÖVET in a nutshell Short-term optimization (prevention) Long term thinking (sustainability) Long term thinking (sustainability)

Sustainable business

Economically sustainable

Environmentally sustainable

Socially sustainable

Viable

Responsible, saving

Good to employees and others

Healthy business

Sustainability reports

The levels

…uninteresting: LEVEL of LEAD “We don’t contaminate. Leave us alone.”

The firm doesn’t even know the regulations, doesn’t care. In the branch: behind, inadequate.

…obligatory: LEVEL of IRON„We comply with every rule, we spend a huge

amount on environment.”The firm partly complies with regulations or pay

penalty fees. End-of-pipe solutions. In the branch: average, satisfactory.

…market pressure: LEVEL of BRONZE“Environmental management is already

demanded by partners and owners, a market trend. We comply.”

The firm mostly complies with regulations or pay penalty fees. End-of-pipe solutions. Occasionally certified, but weak environmental management

system. Other measures being industrial standards (HACCP, Ökotext 100, BMP) are taken. External

communication eventually. In the branch: good.

…saving potential: LEVEL of SILVER“We are reducing risks, saving and operating

more efficiently.”The firm complies with regulations. Cleaner production,

eco-efficiency and another preventive tools. Vivid ISO 14001, environmental performance evaluation, and other tools in use. Life cycle approach. External communication

continuously.

In the branch: excellent.

…market opportunity: LEVEL of GOLD“We enter into new markets, gain new consumer

groups. It is a promising field of our future.”Like Level of Silver, but environmentally friendly products

and services are of highest priority. External communication is stronger, strategic and mutual. In the

branch: leading.

Environment is…

…interest of our grandchildren and the Earth: LEVEL of DIAMOND

“Our company is value based. Our main goal is not profit, it is just a tool to serve the public. We

want to do something good in the world.”Like Level of Gold, but values are in focus. Development

of innovative environmental management tools at the company. Triple bottom line: responsibility for

environment, society and local economy. The company influences the business environment towards

sustainability.Pioneer not only in the branch, but compared to any

business actor. ”It is a rare bird.”

Questions for the IT industry – Beyond emissions

Alienation? Size of top corporations? Real needs? Justice of distribution?