Sustainability
Sustainability at ICI Paints
Sustainable Development is defined as forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Like the rest of ICI, the ICI Paints business takes the principle of sustainability very seriously. Responsibility for implementing our Sustainable Development policy, rests ultimately on the International Paints Executive, but also lies with everyone who works for ICI Paints in whatever capacity.
Our longstanding sustainability principles were formalised into our Sustainability Policy published in 2002. This goes beyond the impact of our manufacturing operations to encompass product stewardship across the supply chain, and our relationships with employees, suppliers, customers and the communities where we operate.
A new Challenge
We have now published our Challenge 2010 objectives which encompass these stakeholder groups. They were developed using a process which involved each of our businesses and functions and was facilitated by Forum for the Future, the UK's leading sustainable development charity,
We have identified a group of external stakeholders including customers, investors and other interested groups with whom we are testing these objectives, and our progress as the Challenge period progresses. For full details on ICI's corporate sustainability initiatives, visit the sustainability section on www.ici.com.
Sustainability Leadership Awards
ICI's high profile annual Chief Executive's Leadership Awards for Sustainability emphasise our commitment and help to raise awareness. Awards are given to projects that show remarkable and innovative improvements in the following categories: safety, health, environment, product stewardship and community involvement.
An overall winner is selected for the ICI Chairman's Leadership Award. Most recently, Dulux Decorator Centres, ICI Paints UK, won for its product stewardship activity. These are highly competitive, sought-after awards, which receive numerous entries from each business.
Meanwhile, here are some of the highlights of the ICI Paints performance in 2005 in the areas of safety, health and the environment.
Awards
ICI Paints Malaysia received the Gold Award for Product Stewardship in the Chemical Industrial Council of Malaysia Responsible Care Awards.
The US Food and Drug Administration recognised Dulux LifeMaster paint as the industry leader in the development of paints with low or zero levels of volatile organic compounds.
Safety
ICI Paints has almost halved the injury rate in its US distribution centres. Staff from the centres came together to share practical, safe lifting practices, then using a training video and coaching have successfully transferred these principles around the stores.
Driving on company business remains the most serious risk of death whilst working for ICI: we continually aim to combat this by raising awareness and training, and by encouraging alternative routes of communication. Paints and the Corporate Centre have developed driving programmes for all drivers, which involve an initial risk assessment and focused training using e-learning, classroom and practical elements.
Environment
During the past five years ICI Paints has reduced hazardous waste by implementing yield loss reduction programmes and introducing improved segregation and recycling schemes.
ICI's operations today have a lesser impact on the environment than in the past. However, we continue to support, protect and promote biodiversity where we can. In 2005 we have carried out surveys in Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Thailand, UK, and USA. The surveys in Thailand and Brazil were carried out in partnership with local universities. In Thailand, the Faculty of Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, and in Brazil a contact recommended by NGO "SOS Mata Atlāntica", with whom ICI Paints have partnered since 2003.
ICI Paints has reduced water use by 30% through a series of maintenance, conservation activities and operational changes. These include changing product scheduling to reduce the washing out requirements, wash water reuse in cleaning operations, and installing a cooling tower to allow cooling water to be reused.
