Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

428 Chapter 15: Circular Economy and Waste Topic Box 15.7  EPA Beyond Compliance case study In 2021, the EPA launched the Beyond Compliance initiative to promote moving beyond compliance at licensed sites (EPA, 2021c). One licensee that has gone beyond compliance is BioMarin International Ltd. Cork (licence number P0864-01). Some of the initiatives the company has taken relating to the circular economy and waste management are: ■ Moving from passive to active shipping, removing the need for shippers, cold packs and templates. By doing so, the company produced 44 tonnes less waste in 2021. ■ Eliminating eight chemicals and replacing at least ten further chemicals with more environmentally friendly alternatives. This was achieved by evaluating proposed new processes, evaluating chemical inventories, optimising chemical use, training and improved staff awareness. ■ Reducing paper purchasing and use, from 430 boxes in 2019 to 278 boxes in 2020. This was achieved by introducing paperless training and digital signing systems. ■ Changing waste flows in 2020/2021. This resulted in the re-routing of solid waste streams from treatment abroad to treatment within Ireland (Figure 15.15). Figure 15.15  BioMarin solid waste treatment destinations up to 2020 (a) and since 2021 (b) and the resulting benefits (lower panel) Up to 2020 Biomarin waste becomes energy and is sent to national grid: electricity 2021 benefits Since 2021 40 % less 25 fewer trucks abroad 32 households 17 % savings Lowest risk solution Continuity of service 0 TFS (export licence) required Waste-to-Energy installation (R1) Meath Pyrolisis installation Source: BioMarin International Ltd