Green light for UK chemicals

The UK chemicals industry has scored well in the Environment Agency’s Spotlight report on Business’ Environmental Performance, published last month. The report assessed how well industry manages its regulated sites in terms of waste production, releases to air and discharges to water. In 2004, the chemical industry produced almost 15% less hazardous waste than in 2003 and its recovery rate for wastes increased to 20%. Chemicals released to the air and water are decreasing, and the industry caused less than 1% of all serious incidents across all regulated industrial sectors.

The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) says it is ‘encouraged’ to see its member companies scoring well, if not better than last year, in the environmental performance report. ‘This latest report strongly underlines the chemical companies’ commitment to improving environmental management standards. The industry is delivering some great results but we cannot be at all complacent. There is still a huge amount of work to be done to further improve environmental standards in the sector,’ said John Gardner, the CIA’s Director of Communications.

In particular, the CIA is appealing to all of its member companies to adhere to its sustainable development goals, which encourage businesses to create less waste and pollution and use all resources more efficiently. Gardner continued: ‘We are working closely with our members and urge them to commit to the CIA goals by the end of 2005.