Continuous improvement in recycling waste
Coronel Suárez paper mill in Argentina has a culture of continuous improvement, and has focused on two highly successful waste reduction and recycling programmes.
The bales of recovered paper that the mill processes contain many unwanted materials, mostly plastics, which are sent to landfill three times a week – 200km away. The repulping process also means that all rejected materials come with a high water content. When Superintendent of Maintenance, Javier Guarnieri and Mill Manager, Sergio Torres learned that at another nearby mill an out of order pneumatic screw press was being consigned to plastic waste, they saw an opportunity to bring this back into operation and joined Environmental Manager, Marina Povolo and Environmental Coordinator, Pamela Rey to the team.
Using this press, water is squeezed out of the plastic waste, vastly reducing the weight of the waste sent to landfill. In the next five years, Coronel Suárez plans to repurpose plastic for energy recovery, but for now, this intervention has reduced waste to landfill by 20% or 760 tonnes in just one year, saving an estimated 44 tonnes of CO2 in avoided transportation.
“We have to be resourceful about sending waste to landfill because it’s so far away and expensive, and not sustainable for us,” says Pamela. “We’re always looking for alternative ways to reduce it.”
In another initiative, the team researched how they could divert metal and plastic ink and chemical drums from landfill. Having found a market for the drums, their target was 5% – but within months they recycled 20%, around 10 tonnes. This has saved the site €15.7k in charges and avoided around 9 tonnes of oil being needed to make new drums.
The mill is now aiming for a 25% recycling target, and towards this is in the process or reviewing its waste permit from the local authority.
Smurfit Kappa’s aim is to contribute to a world without waste, supporting the concept of circularity. Learn more about our waste commitments.