2014 Annual Report 57
Control over purification by:
Implementing best practices; Developing pre-treatment or post-treatment processes to optimize purifying plant efficiency; Installing devices for measuring chemical oxygen demand; Deploying new processes for the recuperation of phosphor.
Reducing undesirable noise and smells Several measures assist in reducing undesirable odors:
The organization of appropriate testing procedures; Closed-loop control of ventilators in order to reduce their period of functioning; The installation of remote optical camera control of piping cleanliness.
Reducing industrial waste The quantities indicated are those evacuated in 2014; sub-standard products are not included.
Industrial waste produced by the Group is mainly non-danger- ous waste arising as a by-product of manufacturing. Like-for- like, non-dangerous waste for our production sites rose by 7.9%. The change is attributable to:
Increased use of packaging; Significant cleaning operations in the framework of major engineering work at several sites; Improved recovery of recyclable materials.
76.7% of non-dangerous waste is recycled.
The measures taken to reduce waste include: Selective sorting; Action with suppliers to reduce packaging e.g. by introduc- ing returnable containers.
Dangerous industrial waste for our production sites rose by 11.1%, like-for-like, following numerous waste disposals and as- bestos removal at certain sites. Priority continues to be given to buying the least dangerous products for a given level of quality and to recycling containers.
Ground preservation Ground preservation is supported by measures such as:
Installing retention basins; Renewing drainage networks; Recovering water from plant cleaning, vehicle washing areas and parking lots.
ADAPTING TO AND COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE
Carbon footprint and lifecycle analysis In 2010, the Group performed lifecycle analysis of certain of its products in order to improve knowledge of the environmental impact of its operations and adapt its strategy. A Responsible Dairy Sourcing program, designed to support our milk produc- ers in sustainable development of their farms, and help them reduce their environmental impact including carbon footprint, was deployed.
The diagnosis was performed over ten key indicators relating particularly to carbon footprint and biodiversity.
Focuses for progress are then proposed to farmers.
To perform diagnosis and engage actions for improvement, partnerships have been concluded with several organizations.
We also provide Group technicians, regional chambers of agri- culture and milk testing laboratories with training on how to assist producers in this innovative approach.
To explain our approach to farmers, a film presenting their feedback has been produced and open days are organized at farms.
Action plans have been deployed in various areas such as the improvement of vegetation (e.g. by scattering chosen seeds to create vegetation acting as a natural carpet preventing the growth of weeds, the reduction of phytosanitary treatments and the conservation of hedges.
After testing the approach on a panel of pilot farms, full deployment of the improvement program is now in progress.
By the end 2014, numerous French dairy farms supplying the Group were involved. The objective is to achieve, by 2020, a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of dairy farms supplying the Group.
51.52014
2013 47.7
Quantity of non-dangerous waste Like-for-like, all locations in thousands of tons
0.272014
2013 0.25
Quantity of dangerous waste Like-for-like, all locations in thousands of tons
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION