16.01.2008, 8:00
Efficient utilisation of waste materials significantly reduces CO2 emissions burdening the atmosphere. This was established by a survey carried out by the Technical Research Centre of Finland, VTT, for the purpose of reviewing the climatic impact of L&T’s operations.
According to the survey, bio fuels and recovered fuels delivered by L&T as well as recycling of waste materials served to notionally reduce CO2 emissions by some 2,1 million tons in 2006. This is equivalent to almost three percent of Finland’s yearly CO2 emissions.
”Finland’s climatic targets are not necessarily unreasonable. We will just have to assume a more unbiased attitude towards finding efficient means of preventing CO2 emissions. Use of bio fuels and recovered fuels and recycling of waste materials are means to significantly reduce further emissions and to take us a big step further on our way to fulfilling the climatic obligations set for Finland’s part as of now”, says Jari Sarjo, President and CEO of L&T.
According to VTT’s survey, L&T’s operations reduce emissions since bio fuels and recovered fuels delivered by the company are replacements for fossil fuels used for energy production, such as peat, coal and oil. Wood-based fuels delivered by L&T Biowatti are mainly produced using forest industry and forestry by-products. As an energy source, recovered fuel is renewable up to an extent of 60 to 80 percent. Recovered fuels are produced using trade, industry and household waste unsuited for material recycling.
Looking at L&T’s operations, along with fuel production, recycling of waste materials is another important factor in terms of reducing emissions. Recycling serves to significantly save virgin raw materials. Recycling of paper, cardboard, plastics and metals are the main factors in this respect.
According to the survey, CO2 emissions created by L&T’s operations amount to some 80,000 tons. The main factors are emissions caused by transportation and work machines.
”Too often, public climatic discussion tends to focus on small issues. Finland’s burden in the climatic mission is a heavy one and we do need to utilize all significant means available to reduce emissions. We cannot sustainably motivate a need to continue dumping waste on landfills or destroying waste material in mass combustion to the extent we do today, while we are aware of the fact that utilisation of waste materials by way of recycling or coincineration to produce energy clearly reduces climatic impact”, says Jari Sarjo.
Additional information:
Jari Sarjo, President and CEO, L&T, tel. +358 10 636 2810
Mikko Saariaho, Communications Manager, L&T, tel. +358 10 636 2751 or +358 400 538 352 "