Sustainable Performance & Growth CSR Report 2006 - CRH

2932Environment Policy Systems PerformanceManaging WasteOur environmental policy is to minimise and recycle waste by all practicablemeans. This means that our businesses operate as follows:Waste by activity 2006WastegenerationWaste per tonneof product###In most of our production processes, any by-product is internally recycledback into the process where possible, thereby reducing raw material usageand enhancing process efficiency.All wastes are minimised and recycled externally where possible: anaverage of approximately 4kg of materials are recycled per tonne ofproduct across all our activities, indicating a very low level of wastegeneration.Only where it is not possible to externally recycle waste, is it sent for finaldisposal: this comprises an average of just 0.8kg per tonne of product, ofwhich only 6g is hazardous waste.While the total quantity of waste generated increased in 2006 compared tothe prior year, it decreased on a per tonne of product basis. Furthermore, theportion of waste being recycled has increased over the last number of years,reflecting the focus on diversion of waste from landfill.Cement 1%Distribution 1%Clay 2%BuildingProds. 3%Concrete 45%Materials 48%million tonnes‘05 ‘06Externallyrecycled2.01.81.61.41.21.00.80.60.40.20kgNon-hazardousdisposed‘05 ‘065.04.54.03.53.02.52.01.510.50HazardousdisposedA total of 73 Group companies belong to European national packagingrecycling schemes, reflecting a growing commitment in that area.Unfortunately such schemes do not yet exist in the US.A very small number of Group companies are permitted to landfill waste on-site,and in these cases it is carried out strictly to the permit requirements. Followingan incident of unauthorised dumping of waste by third-parties at one of ourlocations in Ireland (remediation is now almost complete), all Group companiesare now taking extensive precautions to prevent any similar incidents.% of waste recycled100%75%50%25%Companies recycling packaging80604020‘03 ‘04 ‘050‘06 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘060Although only small quantities of waste batteries arise at Jura Cement in Switzerland,these are sorted and sent for external recycling.Tyrone Brick in Northern Ireland invested in equipment to crush off-spec clay bricks sothat they can be reused in the process, reducing the quantities of waste sent off-site.Sustainable Performance & Growth - The CRH Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2006www.crh.com