Output management focuses on monitoring and continuously improving the environmental impacts of the recycled polyester manufacturing process. The guidelines specifically cover wastewater and air emissions.
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Recycled polyester facilities must comply with local regulations for wastewater discharge to ensure it does not compromise the quality of the receiving environment.
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They are required to test wastewater twice a year (in April and October) through ZDHC Approved Wastewater Testing Laboratories for conventional parameters and heavy metals and upload the reports to the ZDHC platform.
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Facilities must conduct a Root Cause Analysis and implement a Corrective Action Plan for any non-conformities.
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Even for facilities generating less than 15m³ of wastewater daily, all parameters remain applicable.
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Sludge management must comply with local regulations and major disposal pathways should be reported in line with the ZDHC Sludge Reference Document V1.0. declaration templates that suppliers should use to enter information for each disposal pathway are provided. After inputting the information relevant to the supplier’s major disposal pathway, the supplier should sign and give details of the signing authority and date in the declaration. Samples will collect these declarations during the wastewater sampling and submit them to their lab.
Recycled polyester facilities should adhere to the following air emission requirements:
Quantify, track, and report GHG (Greenhouse Gas) and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions on the ZDHC platform.
A. Mechanical, thermomechanical and hydrothermal recycling facilities
GHG (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emissions - Use existing GHG (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emissions calculation platforms that are recognised and align with GHG Protocol standards.
B. Chemical recycling facilities
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GHG (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emissions - Use existing GHG (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emissions calculation platforms that are recognised and align with GHG Protocol standards.
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VOC emissions (methanol, ethylene glycol, acetaldehyde and non-methane total hydrocarbons). Monitor VOC emissions at the exhaust point of the recycling process, waste gas, spinning and solvent recovery unit.