APC 2015 Annual Report Download - page 79

2015 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 77
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC’S COMMITMENT TOENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
waste. A UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) report was
published in 2011 addressing the situation with regard to metal
recycling rates. On a global level, 18 metals have a recycling rate
of over 50%: lead, gold, silver, aluminum, tin, nickel, zinc, copper
and iron, amongst others, and 34 elements have a recovery rate
below 1%, including rare earth elements. The UNEP recommends
that priority be given to product design in order to facilitate
disassembly and recovery of metals at end of life and to emphasize
recycling electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Schneider
Electric participates in the recycling systems via the recovery of
its own waste, with a 2015-2017 target of 100 sites achieving the
requirements of «Towards zero waste to landfi ll» (see page 77 ) and
by providing End-of-life instruction for its products, which can be
accessed easily by customers on the Internet.
Management of waste, emissions and industrial
pollution
Waste
Because waste is a major source of pollution but also a potential
source of raw materials, waste management is an eco-effi cient
manufacturing priority.
Most of Schneider Electric’s waste is solid waste. Continuous
improvement plans have been deployed to manage this waste.
This approach is fully in line with the framework of the ISO 14001
certifi cation that all Schneider Electric production and logistics sites
worldwide are required to follow.
Since 2009, the objective of the Group has been to recover more
than 85% of industrial waste (hazardous and non-hazardous).
Schneider Electric has been working since 2012 to identify the main
reasons for the 15% not recovered. In 2013, the Group embarked
on a general consolidation process of its hazardous waste, and,
thanks to a specifi c study enabled by its new reporting system, the
Group confi rmed the recovery of almost 100% of its metal waste.
This data is processed to ensure local traceability. All waste is
channeled to the appropriate treatment facility.
At the end of 2015, the overall approach to eco-effi cient
manufacturing enabled the percentage waste recycled to be
increased from 87.2% to 91% at constant scope.
In 2015, a new environmental strategy was put in place, focused
mainly on a step up in waste recovery through its program «Waste
as Worth». This program, which will be rolled out throughout the
period of the 2015-2017 Schneider is On company program,
includes:
•the goal of achieving 100 industrial sites sending «Zero(*) Waste
to Landfi ll » by 2017; this indicator is now published in the
Group’s Planet & Society barometer (*Zero in this case means
«over 99% of metallic waste and over 97% of non-metallic waste
sent to recycling);
•the implementation of a maximum recovery of metal waste
program, including on the sites that generate the most;
•the implementation of a program to re-use a maximum of
thermoplastic, metal and transport packaging waste on the sites
concerned.
Conditions of use and release into soils
Virtually all Schneider Electric sites are located in urban or industrial
areas and do not affect any notable biotopes. None of the Group’s
businesses involve extraction or land farming.
No substances are purposely released into the soil in the course of
site operation. Workshop fl ooring at risk is given a waterproof seal
using a suitable treatment (resin retention). Hazardous substances
must be systematically stored and handled in areas equipped
with retention tanks, in compliance with regulations. As a result
of developments in legislation, retention systems are increasingly
being designed to take into account new risks of malfunctions or
emergencies, such as fi res.
In2015, Schneider Electric conducted its annual review of pollution
risks at all manufacturing sites as part of ISO14001 monitoring . No
major incidents were reported in2015.
Discharge into the water and air
Because Schneider Electric is mainly an assembler, its discharge
into the air and water is very limited. Mechanical component
production workshops are carefully monitored, in keeping with their
ISO 14001 certifi cation. Their discharges are tracked locally as
required by current legislation. No major spills or discharges were
reported in 2015.
Emissions of NOx and SOx and particlesinto the air are monitored
site by site according to their heating activity; monitoring of
these emissions is verifi ed via ISO 14001 audits. Emissions
are then monitored by the site managers with respect to the
thresholds defi ned in local legislation and monitored by the heads
of the geographical areas. These emissions are not subject to
consolidation at Group level.
The VOC emissions have been identifi ed as material at Group level
and are therefore included in the Group’s reporting.
Finally, the CFC and HCFC emissions are monitored through our air
conditioners in accordance with regulations. They are not linked to
our industrial activities.
Noise and odors
All Schneider Electric sites comply with noise and odor regulations.
Environmental risk management and prevention
The Group takes a proactive approach to managing environmental
liabilities associated with both current and historical operations.
Through our ISO14001 program, it actively manages the potential
for impacts to the natural environment at our operating facilities.
No Schneider Electric sites are Seveso classifi ed. The Group’s
focus on environmental compliance and continuous improvement
of its environmental risks minimizes impacts on the environment.
Regarding the management of environmental impacts associated
with historical operations or acquisitions, this is managed at the
regional level. Each region uses external experts to investigate and
address historic impacts to the environment according to the local
requirements and to minimize any impacts to human health and
the environment. In 2015, no new material environmental impacts
were identifi ed. Studies, in particular associated with the Invensys
acquisition, are conducted. As a result of all of these actions, no
compensation has been paid out in application of legal rulings in
2015.