Waste
Our approach
Almost all of our by-products created by our production processes can be used as valuable raw materials in feed, construction, agriculture or for the manufacture of biogas. Our by-products include corn, gluten, meal and feed as well as corn, germs and citrofeed, a residue from the citric acid production. These are all valuable ingredients for the feed industry. Our products themselves as well as our by-products are readily biodegradable and ecologically safe. Therefore, one of the company’s health, safety and environment targets is to convert as much substance as possible into useful by-products, if economically viable.
Waste generated in our production sites is measured and recorded in the annual Responsible Care® Report for each plant. Each production plant and each office location handle management of waste individually. Packaging waste is rather low, because most of our raw materials are delivered in bulk. In addition there are recycling or return possibilities for most of our packaging material, used for the finished products. Waste data is divided into waste diverted from disposal and waste directed to disposal for all production sites. Furthermore we distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Waste diverted from disposal is recycled or otherwise recovered. Non-recycable waste is incinerated or landfilled. Regulatory requirements are always observed.
Our ambition
We strive for an ongoing reduction in waste and for optimal recycling flows. Production processes shall be improved where possible to minimise process waste.
Examples of waste reduction projects implemented in 2021 in our production sites
- Further optimisation of waste management in Marckolsheim, France
- Several tons of resources were saved by using recycled paper bags for certain products in Pernhofen, Austria
Key measures and evaluation
There is an ongoing effort to further reduce waste in our production sites. Waste management processes and the use of packaging material is reviewed. For the future we will work on different projects to optimise or reduce waste flows in our production sites.
In 2021, we started to assess data on waste generated, waste diverted from disposal and waste directed to disposal according to GRI 306: Waste 2020 in order to improve our waste management.
| Measures | Targets 2021 | Progress and achievements 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Reduction of waste to landfill | Further reduction of corporate waste intensity | Corporate waste intensity was reduced by 36% from 2013-2021 |
| Waste reduction projects in production sites | Achieve waste reductions by implementation of individual projects in our four production sites | Waste reduction projects have been identified and implemented in our production sites |
| Management of waste evaluation | Improvement of data collection in production plants | Data collection for waste management optimised for all plants by integrating disclosures of GRI Standards |
Jungbunzlauer corporate waste intensity
mt landfill waste/mt final product
incl. by products and glucose
Corporate waste intensity is calculated as waste to landfill of all production sites per volume produced including by-products and glucose.
In the above graph waste to volume (in tons) landfill per volume of final products including by-products (in tons) for the years 2013 to 2021 is shown. The higher values in 2020 and 2021 can be attributed to additional final material being produced by a process leading to gypsum waste in our production site in Pernhofen, Austria. Due to the very high demand, more material was manufactured using this production process, therefore generating more gypsum waste.
Outlook
We will continue to reduce our generated waste where possible and optimise waste flows for optimal recycling. Specific projects planned for 2022 are the improvement of waste separation and utilisation in Marckolsheim, France and the search for new utilisation pathways for certain waste streams in Port Colborne, Canada.