Sustainability Report - Dell

Figure 13: Waste Disposed by LandfillFigure 14: Recycled and Reused Rates1001008080Percentage6040Percentage6040202002000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006Fiscal YearData are for global manufacturing sites and large U.S. offices.02004 2005Fiscal Year2006event of power failure. Some facilities also have diesel-fueledfire pumps to provide for adequate water pressure for buildingfire sprinkler systems. Diesel fuel for use in the generators andfire pumps is stored in double-walled tanks and inside containmentstructures. Our facilities have spill prevention, containmentand counter-measure or contingency plans in place tominimize the impact of potential leaks or spills from fuel storagetanks, as well as from hydraulic fluid leaks from wastecompactors, dock levelers and other equipment. As a practice,Dell does not store hazardous materials, other than dieselfuel, outdoors.Wastewater ManagementWastewater is not generated in Dell's manufacturingprocesses. Wastewater is generated as a result of water usein cafeterias and canteens, restrooms, and building operations(such as cooling towers), and general facility housekeeping andcleaning. Wastewater discharges from most of Dell's facilitiesare directed to local municipal sanitary sewage treatment facilities;in some locations, on-site sanitary sewage treatment orpre-treatment systems are in place.Air EmissionsBecause most of our assembly processes do not involve the useof chemicals, there are no appreciable air emissions from Dellmanufacturing operations. We operate one small paint spraybooth in our product refurbishment center, which is used forhand-applied touch-up spray painting. The estimated emissionsfrom this operation are less than 600 pounds per year ofvolatile organic compounds (VOCs).Other sources of air emissions that are generated by Delloperations are the testing and occasional operation of emergencystand-by electrical generators, and minor sources suchas building maintenance and facility cleaning operations.RecycledResource Reduction ProgramsResource reduction involves minimizing the consumption ofnatural resources and energy. Categories of resources used inDell operations include: consumable materials used in manufacturingand office areas (such as shipping pallets, paper andoffice supplies), energy (electricity and gas), and water.Throughout our operations, employees are encouraged to lookfor opportunities to use less of a given resource, or to identify amore environmentally friendly alternative. For examples ofresource reduction activities at our facilities around the world,see "Regional Highlights" on page 47.Reduce, Reuse and Recycle ProgramsReusedData are for global manufacturing sites and large U.S. offices.As mentioned in the "Waste Management and Spill Prevention"section on page 44, Dell manages a significant amount ofincoming packaging materials. Wherever possible, wastes arereduced by modifying processes and by identifying opportunitiesfor reuse and recycling.Dell's Reduce-Reuse-Recycle programs enable employeesto focus on projects that reduce the amount of resourcesconsumed, directly and indirectly. Our preferred option is toreduce the amount of materials we use. Opportunities for reuseand recycling are also important techniques in reducing ourenvironmental footprint.Dell continues to maintain a high rate overall for reusing andrecycling non-hazardous waste. In fiscal year 2006, the reuserate was approximately 11 percent and the recycling rate wasover 79 percent, as shown in Figure 14.Dell operations also have ongoing paper use reductionprograms. In our U.S. office and manufacturing facilities, theD E L L S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T • F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 0 645