Helping businesses grow
Envirocomp is a small New Zealand company started in 2007 that is making an increasingly large impact across the globe.
Landcare Research has played a small but important part in its transformation to international leader in the composting of all brands of disposable nappies, sanitary and incontinence pads.
The use of absorbent hygiene products is increasing around the world but, with it, increased waste to landfill. However, Envirocomp is the first company in the world to provide a composting alternative. Originally covering the Canterbury Region the firm has recently opened its second processing site for waste in the Wellington urban area.
As part of its commitment to business sustainability Envirocomp has applied to accredit their waste stewardship scheme under the auspices of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 through the Ministry for the Environment.
Product stewardship schemes are a “cradle to grave” or life cycle tool that helps reduce the environmental impact of manufactured products. In product stewardship schemes, producers, brand owners, importers, retailers, consumers and other parties accept responsibility for the environmental effects of their products – from the time they are produced until they are disposed of. Current accredited schemes cover packaging, oil, tyres, paint, computers and mobile phones.
Businesses with accredited schemes take responsibility for the environmental effects of their products or services and take these costs into account when making decisions about the production, purchase and disposal of their products.
Through its preferred supplier agreement with the Ministry, Landcare Research has completed an audit of Envirocomp’s performance and processes by reviewing the scheme’s process and highlighting possible areas for improvement, says researcher Anthony Hume.
The auditor’s role covers a diverse range of activities and assessments including checking the toxicology of the firm’s compost, checking if the scheme has appropriate funding, and that waste processing data are effectively managed.
“From an environmental perspective the most challenging element is to determine whether the scheme will deliver a reduction of waste to landfill or environmental harm from a life cycle perspective. In this case the used compost should deliver tangible environmental benefits by reducing the need for artificial fertilisers, reducing the volume of waste, and providing a potential stabiliser for remediation of contaminated soils,” Anthony says.
The Ministry for the Environment is considering the findings and recommendations of the audit and will decide in the near future whether to accredit the Environcomp scheme.
Anthony Hume
Email: anthony.hume@enviro-mark.com