12 Oct 2007

Intertek Automotive Research Laboratory has received the Environmental Excellence Award from the San Antonio Water System and the City of San Antonio. The award was presented for environmental stewardship and site management. The award was given in recognition of key improvements in recycling materials previously treated as waste products. The impact has been to reduce the laboratory's environmental impact. Areas recognized in the award include:

  • Water Management: The laboratory has reduced water consumption from nearly 111 acre feet per year down to about 32 to 38 acre feet per year.
  • Hazardous Waste: Intertek ARL reduced hazardous waste production from 198.5 tons per year 5 years ago to 25.8 tons last year by separating material that can be used as a product form the generated waste stream instead of having these materials incinerated a higher cost.
  • Hazardous Materials: The laboratory sells hydrocarbon product material, including lubricants, solvents and off specification fuels for fuel blend. Solid material such as wipes and personal protective equipment (PPE) are ground for fuel blend and used as product in cement kilns and blacktop plants.
  • Metal: Ferrous and non-ferrous metals are sold for scrap and will be recycled.
  • Plastic: Material is reduced to the correct size and ground as raw material for producing new HDPE product.