Since 1987, DuPont has reduced its total Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) releases, reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by nearly 80 percent, even though production increased by more than 40 percent. Some 286 new compounds were added to the EPA’s TRI reporting list in 1995.
The University of Massachusetts study is based upon TRI data. It's important to understand that there is a lag time on data in EPA's TRI report. Thus, the annual numbers released are not an accurate snapshot of our current emissions reductions. Approximately half of DuPont's score on the University of Massachusetts report came from emissions at a wholly-owned subsidiary site in Louisville, KY. Operations at this site were shut down in first quarter 2008 and emissions from that site have been reduced to zero.
In 2000, the company met a goal of reducing air carcinogen emissions by 90%, and achieved a 92% reduction by 2004. In 2006, the company set a goal to achieve an additional 50% reduction beyond that. In addition, we are challenging our sites to look for ways to make further reductions in releases to water and land. Our focus is on continuous improvement and reducing emissions at the source. Examples include projects to increase energy efficiency and improve process controls and yields, in many cases using Six Sigma methodology.
4/16/08
