Starting situation:
Complicated management and inconsistent system
In 2019, the chain of gas stations faced challenges related to the management of packaging waste. With 70 locations throughout Slovakia and limited storage and transportation capacities, the company encountered the complexities and inconsistencies of waste management.
The daily production of paper and cardboard packaging (15 01 01) and plastic packaging (15 01 02) was high. There was a lack of unified and effective processes for their utilization. There was no single nationwide waste collector. Various local approaches to solving the problem and multiple contracts with regional waste collectors led to administrative difficulties, complicated management, and insufficient overview of packaging waste production.
Project objectives:
Efficient utilization of packaging waste
The main goal of the project was to implement a unified system for efficiently utilizing packaging waste at a nationwide level in Slovakia. The corporation aimed to ensure the material recovery of all packaging waste, achieve simpler waste management, and gain better insights into packaging waste production.
Our goal was to ensure compliance with the waste hierarchy and utilize existing capacities, including employees, suppliers, and facilities, to contribute to the overall optimization of waste utilization.
Approach and solution:
Challenge accepted
The priority became the establishment of a separate, unified, and clear system for ongoing collection of packaging by gas station employees.
Packaging waste is continuously collected by gas station employees in roll containers according to their types. Subsequently, these roll containers with waste are regularly picked up by carriers responsible for supplying goods to the stations. The waste is transported to a central waste collection site in Trnava, where it is gathered in large-capacity containers with a volume of 35 m³. Once the containers are filled, the waste is handed over to a local collection company for processing and utilization.
Project Impact:
Simple management, strengthened relationships, and CO2 neutrality
The project has produced numerous positive outcomes, with a standout achievement being the 100% material recovery of all packaging waste achieved through the R3 activity. Additionally, the implementation of reverse logistics by vehicles supplying the stations ensured CO2 neutrality for the entire system.
The system operated with minimal costs by maximizing existing capacities. By eliminating the need for collection bins and implementing efficient electronic waste tracking, the system streamlined information on packaging waste production. Centralizing waste management simplified processes and fostered stronger collaboration in supplier-customer relationships. Additionally, the new system enhanced environmental awareness among employees.
Results in numbers:
Paper and cardboard packaging
- Year 2019: 63 tons
- Year 2020: 68 tons
- Year 2021: 72 tons
- Year 2022: 75 tons
Plastic packaging
- Year 2019: 9.5 tons
- Year 2020: 9.8 tons
- Year 2021: 10 tons
- Year 2022: 10.6 tons
The project of efficient utilization of packaging waste at gas stations is an example of successful implementation and optimization of waste management at a nationwide level in Slovakia.
