Waste

Johnson Matthey strives to reuse or recycle all possible waste materials. Where this is not possible every effort is made to reduce waste.

The total waste generated has risen from 22,200 T in 1999 to 39,000 T in 2002. When considered against the growth in sales over the same period there has still been a 28% increase in waste. Although the total waste arising has increased, the quantity of material that is sent for a waste recovery process has increased at a faster rate and now accounts for 19,800 T – half of the total material. Incineration is the disposal route for 9.5 % of the waste and the remainder (15,500 T) is sent as landfill. In absolute terms quantity sent to landfill has not changed in the last 4 years.

For details af a Johnson Matthey product that reduces precious metal waste click here.

Johnson Matthey aims to continuously improve environmental performance.

Johnson Matthey operations are of varying scales and have different environmental impacts, making global target setting difficult. Environmental targets are set at a site level covering issues which are relevant to the specific operation. For example, all businesses at our Royston manufacturing site in the UK have adopted one and five year improvement plans and which include targets. This process is supported by the group EHS management system and ISO 14001 where applicable.