SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
of secondary markets. However, due to inefficiencies in supply chain management, such materials are lost, leading to wasted resources, increased costs for businesses and higher levels of waste.
In addition, the disposal of chemicals— whether through incineration or landfill— contributes to environmental degradation. Chemical waste is often hazardous, and when improperly managed, it can contaminate ecosystems and harm public health. This challenge has long been recognised as an area where improvement is urgently needed, both from a regulatory perspective and in terms of advancing more efficient waste management practices within industries.
Environmental impact of chemical waste
The environmental impact of chemical waste goes far beyond the traditional concerns of landfill overflow or water contamination. One of the most significant environmental costs of chemical waste is its contribution to
CO 2 emissions. Incinerating chemical waste— often done to reduce
the volume of waste or generate energy— releases large quantities of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This process significantly contributes to climate change.
To understand the scale of this problem, consider the emissions associated with incinerating general waste. On average, incineration emits between 0.7 and 1.7 tonnes of CO 2
/ tonne of waste burned.
The emissions produced from chemical waste incineration are typically even higher, as the chemical compounds involved are often more complex, resulting in a more energyintensive process. The incineration of hazardous chemical waste also releases additional pollutants, including dioxins, furans and heavy metals, all of which can harm both human health and the environment.
Given that millions of tonnes of chemical waste are generated globally each year and that a
significant percentage of this waste could be reused or recycled, the potential reduction in CO 2 emissions is substantial.
Addressing this issue is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic opportunity. By reducing the amount of chemical waste that is incinerated or landfilled, businesses can cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint, aligning with both regulatory requirements and sustainability goals.
Role of digital solutions
Recognising the inefficiencies inherent in traditional waste management practices, digital solutions have emerged as an important tool in bridging the gap between chemical surplus and demand. These technologies focus on optimising inventory management, improving transparency in supply chains, and enabling real-time redistribution of chemicals, thereby reducing waste and maximising
Avoided impacts
Environmental benefits of reuse
Reclaimed material
New material( equivalent as reclaimed)
Production Stage Figure 2- Reducing the impact of chemical waste generation '
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