Despite increased manufacturing output during 1996, reflected in a sales volume gain of about 4%, PPG Industries of the United States cut hazardous wastes globally by 5% from 1995 levels, giving a 20%…
Despite increased manufacturing output during 1996, reflected in a sales volume gain of about 4%, PPG Industries of the United States cut hazardous wastes globally by 5% from 1995 levels, giving a 20% overall reduction since 1988. David C. Cannon Jr., vice president of environment, health and safety, said 1996 hazardous waste volume decreased 5,100 tons, to 106,300 tons. “More significantly,” he added, “we achieved a 10% reduction in the generation rate per unit of production (known as the “WGR”) to 0.009. That is down 61% from 1988, while sales volume – generally reflecting production – grew nearly 23%, and we believe WGR is a better trend indicator than sheer volume as manufacturing levels vary year-to-year.” Materials that are flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic are generally classified as hazardous. PPG“s 1996 volume for wastes of all kinds increased 14,800 tons, or 4%, to 400,400 tons, Cannon said, but the related WGR declined 3%, to 0.034. “Even with last year“s volume increase, we have reduced total wastes 12% and WGR 35% in eight years.” According to Cannon, most of the 1996 total wastes volume increase stemmed from record fibre glass production, including a new plant, and a small net increase among chemicals operations. He said coatings operations generated 3,900 fewer tons of hazardous waste in 1996, a 10% reduction to 36,400 tons, and 5,000 tons less total waste, down 10% to 45,700 tons. Glass operations achieved a hazardous wastes decrease of 570 tons, or 21%, to 2,100 tons, and generated 8,500 fewer tons of total waste, a 20% decline to 34,300 tons. Wastes from fibre glass operations increased 25,300 tons, or 21%, to 143,400 tons. Cannon said hazardous wastes generated by these units are minimal. Hazardous wastes generated by PPG“s chemicals units declined by 670 tons, or 1%, to 67,800 tons, while total wastes increased 3,000 tons, or 2%, to 177,000 tons.