Toxic Use and Waste Reduction Program

TUWR is a program which emphasizes goal setting for continuous improvement, measurement of performance and sharing of results. At Polaroid, TUWR focuses on three major areas of concern i.e. Where materials are used and where wastes are generated How wastes are managed within the company (WMH-waste management hierarchy) What happens to the waste that leaves the company( SARA- Superfund amendment and Reauthorization act)

The program is monitored by Polaroids Environmental Accounting and Reporting System (EARS) and driven by the TUWR per unit performance index. EARS is also referred to as the heart of TUWR. EARS was developed by Harry Fatkin and has got internationally acclaim. EARS monitored and reported rates of toxic use and waste generation for approximately 1700 materials classified into five categories on the basis of toxicity. Category I and II contained the most environmentally damaging materials, chemical in Category III and IV were somewhat less toxic and Category V was reserved for solid waste such as paper, plastic and metal. EARS recorded the quantities and treatment methods of materials in all the five categories at several points along the process line: at the input stage, at the end of the process line before abatement, during abatement and after abatement. Managers at Polaroid received EARS credits towards TUWR goals by reducing their use and appropriate disposal of toxic chemicals. Attainment of these goals was important for their annual performance review, thus incentives for waste reduction were a part of the system. TUWR had the effect that as new products was introduced, Polaroid shifted away from using the most toxic chemicals to less toxic alternatives wherever possible.
Category Material I of Includes Known human carcinogens,toxic reproductive agents Known animal carcinogens,teratogens Suspected carcinogens animal Toxicity Highest environmental threat Considerable environmental threat Moderately toxic, corrosive substances Negative impact on environment in general Other material EARS credits Reduction Usage Reduction Usage Recycling in Polaroids objectives Reduced Use

II

in

Reduced Use

III

IV

Chemicals not classified under I,II & III Other materials like plastic, paper and metal

Recycling

Recycling

Source reduction, on site recycling with reuse Source reduction, on site recycling with reuse Source reduction, on site recycling with reuse

TUWR not only had helped to reduce toxic waste but also results in cost savings through reduced material wastage, improved yields and reduced spending on compliance.