Sustainability Audits
Sustainable production is defined as the creation of manufactured products that use processes that minimize negative environmental impacts; conserve energy and natural resources; are safe for employees, communities, and consumers; and are economically sound. Within the EU the drive for science-policy solutions for a more sustainable Europe the #Think2030 Action Plan (30×30 Actions for a Sustainable Europe) provides the framework towards a more sustainable future. These concepts are central to WEW’s service application for client orientated decarbonisation programmes. Climate change will drive this forward at an ever-increasing pace, and all sectors must embrace and adapt.
OECD 7 action steps to sustainable production
Prepare
1. Map your impact and set priorities: Bring together an internal “sustainability team” to set objectives, review your environmental impact and decide on priorities.
2. Select useful performance indicators: Identify indicators that are important for your business and what data should be collected to help drive continuous improvement.
Measure
3. Measure the inputs used in production: Identify how materials and components used into your production processes influence environmental performance.
4. Assess operations of your facility: Consider the impact and efficiency of the operations in your facility (e.g. energy intensity, greenhouse gas generation, emissions to air and water).
5. Evaluate your products: Identify factors such as energy consumption in use, recyclability and use of hazardous substances that help determine how sustainable your end products are.
Improve
6. Understand measured results: Read and interpret your indicators and understand trends in your performance.
7. Take action to improve performance: Choose opportunities to improve your performance and create action plans to implement them.
WEW’s niche is specifically placed to guide solutions for steps 4 and 7 as highlighted above relating to the water, energy, and wastewater elements of your facility. Also, the sustainable designs will guarantee compliance with the circular economy action programme (CEAP) with particular reference to recovery of CO2 and other co-products.
Sustainability Audit Methodology
In combination with our standard energy audit of the plant and processes, we also provide an in-depth study of the treatment system, its unit operations, and process efficiencies. This combined with the results of the energy audit enables us to develop holistic alternatives and options incorporating the latest proven innovations for improvements to the plant sustainability. These may include Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR), Energy Efficiency programmes and conversion of conventional plants to sustainable state of the art process facilities, incorporating Anaerobic and Aerobic technology, bioenergy production, and conservation engineering, aiming for minimal carbon/water footprints.
Consideration is also given to the possibilities for recycle and reuse of by-products such as sludges, digestates, recovered nutrients, and the reclamation of retentates and washwaters. In many cases, the issue of water reuse may justify advanced treatment of condensates or high-quality tertiary effluents for recycling and reuse. The sustainability report is presented with costed recommendations for maximum reduction in energy and chemical outlay.