New report examines chemistry industry's safety, resource-conservation and emissions performance

OTTAWA, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) released its new Responsible Care^® Progress Report today, highlighting its members' performance in workplace and transportation safety, resource conservation, product stewardship, community engagement, and emissions and waste reduction.

Based on data from Environment Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory and other sources, the report builds on CIAC's more than 20-year track record of monitoring and reporting members' emissions through Responsible Care® - the association's U.N.-recognized sustainability initiative.

"CIAC members have made remarkable progress towards improving air and water quality, reducing greenhouse gases, and conserving resources," said CIAC President Richard Paton.

"This report shows how our members are constantly striving to improve the sustainability of their operations."

Report Highlights

The 2014 Responsible Care® Progress Report found that since 1992, CIAC members have:

• reduced discharges to water by 98 per cent;
• reduced emissions of toxins targeted by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act by 89 per cent;
• substantially reduced emissions of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (by 61 per cent) and sulphur dioxide (by 85 per cent);
• reduced the global-warming potential of their operations by 65 per cent;
• reduced the number of injuries and illnesses at their workplaces by more than 70 per cent; and
• reduced their production of hazardous waste for disposal by 79 per cent over 1995 levels.

Today, a unit of Canadian chemical product is manufactured with 88 per cent fewer emissions than in 1992.

To read the complete 2014 Responsible Care^® Progress Report, visit: canadianchemistry.ca/rc-report-2014

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada is the voice of Canada's $47-billion chemistry sector. CIAC represents the interests of Canada's leading chemistry companies - from petrochemical, inorganic and specialty chemical producers, to bio-based manufacturers and chemistry-related technology and R&D companies. Canada's chemistry industry employs 87,000 Canadians directly, and supports another 435,000 jobs in the Canadian economy.

SOURCE: Chemistry Industry Association of Canada

Sarah Mayes
CIAC Public Affairs [phone] ext. 239