Norway reaps financial rewards and slashes emissions by cutting out wasteful chemicals

One of Porsgrunn‘s employees who is directly involved in implementing the program is Ewalina Pracon, who is the safety representative at the Vestsiden nursery school, where they have been rethinking the cleaning products they use and the paints they give the kids.

She said: “For me, the most important thing about the project is to be able to save the environment, as well as create a safer working environment for the staff and for the children to play in.”

The cleaning department, Ms Brodersen notes, was one of the departments that used to employ a large number of different chemical products. Local resident Rita Borg — who supervises 85 cleaners — said: “When I started, there were a lot of chemicals.

“Now we have cleared and standardised which types of chemicals we will use. Previously, we had to buy large quantities, but now we have negotiated to buy only what we need.

“In this way, we avoid large stocks of chemicals we need to throw away as they get old and expire. And throwing away chemicals is a complex and costly process in itself.”

While the project has seen tremendous successes already, it is far from over. As Ms Christiansen explains: “The next step for us will be to investigate the possibilities of using the principles of the circular economy to better utilise our chemical reserves across businesses.”

Exactly the same approach, Ms Brodersen notes, could be employed here in the UK by councils — and beyond. She concludes: “It’s not only for municipalities. Every business can do this. It’s so easy for other companies to do the same.”

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1698944/chemicals-greenhouse-emissions-carbon-footprint-porsgrunn-norway