Air Products announced that it has reduced direct emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by more than 5 percent, according to its latest sustainability report. This is the first time Air Products has issued its report using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines, a voluntary framework used by organizations worldwide to measure and report their economic, environmental and social performance.
The company reported 12.65 million tons of emissions in 2009, down from 13.34 million tons the previous year and 13.21 million tons in its baseline year of 2007. Indirect emissions were also reduced down to 8.32 million tons, from a restated 2009 number of 8.68 million.
Air Products also announced it has eliminated 8,000 metric tons of CO2 over the last four years, while its low NOx emission boilers eliminate 2.500 lbs of NOx annually, while its use of natural gas oil reduces an additional 18,000 lbs.
The company also reduced its U.S. water consumption from 11.3 billion gallons in 2008 to 10.4 billion in 2009, which it credited to increased accuracy in its water use data collection and lower demand for consumption. For the first time the company reported its global water consumption, 15.6 billion gallons worldwide. Automatic faucets and flush valves were installed in all restrooms for water conservation and improved sanitation purposes. Microfilter technology was installed on all drinking fountains.
In 2009 Air Products recycled approximately 136 tons of office paper, 35 tons of cardboard, 51 tons of scrap wood, 0.9 tons of fluorescent lamps, 4 tons of commingled materials and 106 tons of scrap metal. It recently initiated a new Central Recycling and Waste Program to improve its campus municipal waste recycling rates.
The company is targeting a 20 percent reduction in hazardous waste production for the US and Europe from 2005 to 2011, while reducing global water consumption by 10 percent by 2015. It is also targeting a reduction in energy consumption by 7 percent from a 2007 baseline by 2015 for its large air separation units. It expects minimum energy reduction of 875 kwh/year for total savings of $140 million a year.
The company recently partnered with United Natural Foods on a project developing hydrogen fuel cells for lift truck fleets.