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Chemical collection and disposal – from start to finish

By Jason Richards on June 22nd, 2022 in Hazardous waste management
3R ChemCollect programme

Chemicals, from the most benign to the most toxic, are used across a range of businesses and applications, but like all things they eventually expire or become unwanted but still pose a risk. So, what happens to them and why is it so important to dispose of them properly?

The first and most obvious issue with chemicals is they pose a risk to people and the environment. Secondly, there are now regulations in place that require businesses and organisations to keep an up-to-date inventory of all their hazardous substances. They are technically still responsible for these substances after they have been collected right to the point of disposal – so transparency is vital.

This is why we assign a unique tracking ID to every item we collect, meaning our customers can easily show that their chemicals were properly collected and disposed of compliantly.

So, how does our collection process work and why should you even bother?

While paying to dispose of something which no longer has a value to you may be a difficult pill to swallow, it’s important to consider the long-term cost of not. This, plus there are environmental and health and safety risks to consider.

Our ChemCollect service has been running since 2016. We use only our own vehicles and specially trained employees to ensure compliance and accountability throughout the path to disposal.

The process begins once a customer has confirmed a booking and our North or South Island-based drivers make the collection direct from the premises. A tracking ID is assigned to each item so we and the customer can follow its journey and make sure everything is transparent.

The chemicals are then assessed based on their active ingredient, which determines what disposal pathway they will follow.

The majority will be neutralised through various processes such as heating or adding additional chemicals and then stabilised. This means they become acceptable for specialised landfills.

However, there are some chemicals which are too hazardous or are persistent organic pollutants which never break down and need to be destroyed using high-heat incineration. This process breaks the chemical bonds down to reform non-hazardous chemicals.

As you can imagine it’s an energy-intensive operation but is the only way to properly deal with some of the very worst chemicals around.

Currently, there is no facility in New Zealand able to carry out this type of destruction, so the chemicals must be exported to appropriate facilities for destruction.

The final step in the process is the issuing of a disposal certificate, which can be used for audits or other compliance requirements. You can then rest assured you’ve kept people and our environment safe from harmful chemicals.

Jason Richards is 3R’s National Programme Manager – Chemicals. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management systems and safe work practices.

ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that certifies our commitment to environmental management systems and safe work practices.

Consistent with our environmental policy, the intended outcomes of our environmental management system include:

  • The enhancement of environmental performance;
  • The fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • The achievement of environmental objectives.

Our ISO 14001:2015 certification includes 3R Operations, the Paint Product Stewardship Programmes, ChemCollect Service and the SeatSmart Child Car Seat Recycling Programme (owned and operated by 3R).

This certification is audited by TELARC.

ISO 45001:2018

Keeping our people safe, healthy and happy.

ISO 45001:2018 certification has been chosen to demonstrate the importance we place in caring for our people as we bring to life our values of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.

Keeping our team safe, healthy and happy is a primary focus for our business. We feel that the work our operations staff do makes this particularly important. Their responsibilities can include collecting and processing paint; collecting chemicals; driving trucks around the country; and getting hands-on with work wherever needed.

3R received ISO 45001:2018 certification in 2021. The ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years and includes annual surveillance audits which provide a valuable framework for further growth.

What is a circular economy?

New Zealand is “one of the highest generators of waste per person in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”. The way we currently produce and manage our waste is not sustainable.

The current economy in New Zealand is linear: this equates to a process of take-make-use-dispose. The aim of the government is to move towards a circular economy.

A circular economy can refer to either biological or technical materials.

With biological materials, the cycle could be defined as make-consume-enrich. In this cycle waste returns to the environment and enriches the land.

A technical materials cycle may be more like make-use-return. In a technical materials cycle waste is repurposed and used to make something new.

Whether you need help with biological materials, technical materials, or both; 3R can partner with your business to assess your current waste, then help you reduce it.