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Most industrial processes have various types of byproducts. Some industrial wastes can be introduced back into production processes; others can be used by other industries as part of industrial symbiosis. Some waste streams are sent to landfills. Some of ICL’s sites have waste streams that contain hazardous materials that require specialized treatment. The Company tracks and manages all its waste streams and takes various steps to reduce waste and identify and maximize potential reuse and recycling of relevant waste streams. Over 99% of waste streams at ICL production sites are treated in their countries of origin.
Note: In the charts below, 2018 appears as the base year used by ICL to measure its long-term performance (in addition to short-term, year by year performance).
Amounts can vary significantly over the years. Large amounts of waste are usually created during one-time construction/renovation projects, and certain waste types can accumulate in storage ponds or other areas for several years before being transferred for treatment by external professional companies. Therefor there are no clear trends regarding the amount of waste produced at ICL’s plants. Non-hazardous waste quantities decreased by 9% in 2021 due to such reasons, but were almost without change between 2018 and 2019.
The waste figures exclude large amounts of waste streams that are sold for recycling/reuse as raw materials, as part of ICL’s circular economy endeavors. The waste figures do however include waste streams where ICL pays an external treatment company, which recycles the material.
Hazardous waste quantities can significantly fluctuate over time, since certain waste types accumulate for several years prior to being transferred for treatment by external professional companies. In 2021, hazardous waste quantities decreased by 10% versus 2020. Large amounts of hazardous waste that accumulated over several years, were sent for treatment by Israeli sites.
In the coming years some of ICL’s sites will be required to treat existing hazardous waste (historical). Waste is treated in coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and is sent to external designated treatment facilities.
ICL is focused on a circular economy. As with its climate strategy, ICL is taking a multi-faceted approach. Units across the organization are involved with various circular economy initiatives. The RD&I department is seeking new innovative solutions regarding new materials and the potential of using byproducts as raw materials for new products. The ACE team is mapping potential waste streams and solutions.
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