One way to prevent pollution is to reduce the generation of hazardous waste at its source. This has been a basic philosophy behind IBM's pollution prevention program since 1971.
Where possible, IBM redesigns processes to eliminate or reduce chemical use and substitute more environmentally preferable chemicals. Chemicals needed for research, development and manufacturing must be properly managed, from selection and purchase through storage, use and disposal. For waste that is generated, IBM focuses on preventing pollution through a comprehensive, proactive waste management program.
In 2008, IBM's hazardous waste generation indexed to output was reduced by 10.9 percent. This means that source reduction efforts avoided the generation of hazardous waste by 330 metric tons. IBM's goal in this area is to achieve a continual reduction of hazardous waste indexed to output over the previous year's generation. This goal covers approximately 90 percent of IBM's manufacturing and hardware development-related hazardous waste, which comes from 3 manufacturing sites. Hazardous waste from other operations, such as assembly and facility operations, is not included in this metric.
IBM recycled 44.8 percent of its hazardous waste, and 32.1 percent was sent to approved hazardous waste landfills in 2008. Of the total amount that went to landfill, 91 percent was sludge from industrial wastewater treatment plants. Local government regulations required disposition of this sludge in secure hazardous waste landfills. IBM's total hazardous waste has decreased by 96.3 percent since 1987, the base year of this metric.
IBM also has long been focused on recycling its nonhazardous waste.
Nonhazardous waste includes such waste as paper, metals, plastics, deionized resins and nonhazardous chemicals. The goal also includes end-of-life IT product waste generated by IBM's business (e.g., equipment scrapped from IBM locations) as well as IBM-owned equipment returned by external customers at the end of lease.
Of the nonhazardous waste IBM generated in 2008, 79 percent of the total was recycled, versus the goal of 75 percent.