Gothenburg: Environmentally friendly product development in the chemical sector

The Swedish City of Gothenburg has set up an advice and technology programme which should encourage the manufacturing industry from the chemical sector to switch to environmentally friendly products and production methods. The co-operation between municipal authorities, consultants, and industries should encourage the development, testing, and marketing of less harmful alternatives for hazardous products. The Chemical Sweep programme was a three year project aiming to study the use of dangerous chemicals in products, production, and daily use. Special campaigns were targeted at car maintenance, chemicals, and cadmium batteries. The Chemical Sweep programme can be regarded as an example for good practice for the following reasons:

Concept and aims

At the end of the 1980s, Swedish municipalities got increased responsibilities in different environmental areas. In regard to chemical wastes, cities have the duty to control large parts of the life-cycle of chemical products. In Gothenburg, the projects of the Chemical Sweep programme had been designed to provide a testing ground for the upgrading of a comprehensive approach to environmental legislation in Sweden. To a certain degree, the success of local pioneering efforts in the specialised field of hazardous waste also help to speed up the nation-wide development. In 1993, the Swedish Government presented the Ecocycle Bill. This bill stated that more efficient resource management, and the cyclic management of materials, is essential if sustainable development should be achieved. It also stated that an Ecocycle society must be economical with resources, reduce its impact on the environment, and preserve biological diversity. After the bill was adopted by parliament without amendments, the government appointed a special expert committee, the Ecocycle Commission, with directives to propose strategies for Ecocycle principles in the goods sector. The Ecocycle Bill has the following basic objectives:

According to a government decision of 1991, municipal responsibilities should be used to play an active role in the avoidance and handling of wastes, particularly special hazardous and toxic wastes. In the changed context of national and regional strategies for environmental protection, environmental policy activities in Gothenburg had been reviewed. It was the first time in Sweden that a city has started to tackle the problem of environmental pollution from industrial substances. Already in 1988-89, the local government carried out the Project Gothenburg (EPG), an investigation into how the environmental situation in Gothenburg could be considerably improved within the next ten years. Concerning environmental impacts of economical activities, EPG gave special attention to the issues of emissions of hazardous substances, production methods, and waste related problems. The findings of the study laid the basis for a number of actions, especially in co-operation with industry and business.

The philosophy of projects in the sector of ecological industry is to offer a service, rather than to prosecute companies for non-compliance with environmental legislation. The idea is to reduce, eliminate, or substitute this special group of chemicals and to identify, develop, and test less harmful alternatives in the areas of manufacturing, sales, and use. This substitution rule originates from the provision in the new Swedish Environmental Code (previously, National Act on Chemical Products), which states that handling or importing a chemical product must involve such steps and precautions as are needed to prevent or minimise harm to human beings and the environment. This includes avoiding chemical products for which less hazardous substitutes are available. In short, the local environmental authority is in a strategic position to bridge the gap between control and co-operation. The main task is to bring together know-how and competence from outside and inside the industries. Therefore, the City decided to design two innovative environmental protection programmes in the industrial sectors. The Chemical Sweep programme and the Clean Lubricants project should channel innovative expertise into the development of environmentally adapted products at industrial sectors that are particular important to safeguard the industrial base of the Gothenburg economic structure (the Clean Lubricant programme is described in detail in a separate case study).

With the Chemical Sweep programme, the municipality regards itself as a promoter who brings together manufacturers, dealers, and users of chemically hazardous products and encourages them to exchange the hazardous chemicals for less dangerous substances. There was a three year educational and technical assistance programme between 1990-1992. It provided information, advice, and technical assistance to facilitate a change-over to environmentally friendly products. As a result, the project on Car Wash Detergents is still running, and the updated results are distributed to interested parties.

The Chemical Sweep programme focused on several restricted substances (especially nonyl phenol etoxylates, 1,1,1-trichlorethane, and methyl chloride), as well as on the use of cleaning products, batteries, pesticides, cutting fluids, and diesel fuels. This allowed the project to get involved with the development of new environmentally adapted products and methods of production, and to help stimulate the marketing of these products and methods (compare results and impacts).

Implementation

The Chemical Sweep programme was started with an extensive publicity campaign which included a press conference, mass media statements, and printed materials such as brochures, displays, and stickers. In addition, the staff of Chemical Sweep presented the programme at a number of exhibitions and trade fairs.

The next step was to contact the main users of products which contained the targeted hazardous substances in order to urge them to stop using certain environmentally harmful products. This request was supported by an appeal of the municipal Environmental Protection Office. Furthermore, information on the National Act on Chemical Products and on less environmentally hazardous alternatives was provided. A copy of the information package was sent to manufacturers and importers. All in all, the mailings included manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retail distributors, trade and occupational user groups, businesses, industries, public sector organisations, and private households. This attitude survey was the first project of the Chemical Sweep programme. The majority of people demonstrated a positive attitude towards a change to environmentally friendly products, and they expressed a willingness to change their consumption. Furthermore, the survey revealed that people expect the authorities to give information and advice on all kinds of chemical products and their properties. With this background, the project makers define three major themes for the projects:

In order to limit the use of chemicals the programme had to target industries, as well as the end users. Therefore, the spectrum of projects shows a wide range in the fields of activities. The following projects had been implemented:

Methylene dichloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane are contained in products for degreasing, paint removal, cleaning, and similar applications. As existing information on the products and their chemical contents was found to be insufficient, the project aimed to find out which products contained the dangerous substances and could be removed from use.

Cleansing products contain nonyl phenol etoxylates, which are harmful to the user as well as to nature, as they are toxic and have a low level of biodegradability. A survey of 50 cleansing products detected ten products with nonyl phenol etoxylates. The project managers and the Environmental Protection office tried to persuade manufacturers to voluntarily stop the use.

Due to the large quantities used in the city, and the problems created by these substances in water treatment, a pilot project was initiated to offer a testing-ground for a comparative use of different products in car washes. As a consequence, the Chemical Sweep programme aimed to pursue new methods in the field of dangerous substances in car detergents. In co-operation with the local car wash operators, criteria for environmentally adapted car wash detergents were formulated. The manufacturers of car wash products were invited to submit products which met the criteria (no inclusion of toxic, allergenic, or carcinogenic substances, high safety standards, maximum of 5% organic solvents, etc.) The products were tested in a winter season product trial. The testing was not only limited to products, but also included cleansing techniques and equipment. Finally, one existing, and seven newly developed products were accepted and tested. Nevertheless, it has to be noted that certain dirty products have to be accepted in order for the effectiveness of degreasers to reach the overall substitution goal. The testing was supervised by representatives from Chemical Sweep, the Environmental Protection Office, the City of Gothenburg Water and Sewage Department, the Gothenburg region local government association, the Petroleum Dealers National Association, and two car wash companies.

The goal of Miljöfordon in Gothenburg is to support and increase the pace of development of the emerging market for alternative fuels and environmentally adapted vehicles in the region. This is being accomplished by offering advice to, and sharing knowledge with, companies and public departments about vehicles, fuels, car dealerships, and other related matters. A particular initiative has involved the availability of mixed gasoline-ethanol with 10% ethanol, at some gasoline stations.

The project targeted the use of cutting fluids which are mainly used in machining operations in the engineering industry. Thirteen chemicals in cutting fluids are listed at the so-called Restriction commission of the National Chemicals Inspectorate and the National Environmental Protection Agency. The use of these chemicals should be either eased, or severely limited. The Chemical Sweep project aimed to study the situation in the City of Gothenburg and to investigate the possibilities to restrict the use. New insight into the environmental impacts should encourage users to limit the use.

The replacement of mercury cadmium batteries was the second on-going project of the Chemical Sweep programme in the City of Gothenburg. Due to the initiative of the Chemical Sweep staff, and with the help of a simultaneous information campaign, shops agreed to sell only nickel hydride batteries. The sale of ordinary mercury disposable batteries completely ceased.

The project was co-ordinated with the environmental protection offices and water and sewage works in the cities of Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg. The aim was to publish a manual for high volume users of detergents, especially laundries and other cleaning businesses, and to compile information on washing powder for private households. The manuals contain specific information on washing powder components, the health risks, the environmental impacts, the range of alternative environmentally adapted products, the methods of using such products, and a glossary on special washing chemicals. The manuals also aim to provide informed details on distribution and purchase. Further actions were concerned with the promotion of the distribution, the use, and the handling of washing and cleaning products.

The project on methylene dichloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane established the basis for the substitution of painting materials. As a complementary way of speeding up the phasing out of such products, the Chemical Sweep project approached the paint retailers. They are in a favourable position to influence such changes as they exercise economic power. This was done to familiarise paint retailers with the ecological problems, to offer them viable information on alternative products, and also to give Chemical Sweep an overview of the retail situation. An intention was to establish an oversight of chemicals in paint stores in order to help close the cycle on banning chemicals from further use.

A booklet on chemical use in gardens contains information on the use of dangerous substances such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and certain phosphorus compounds. It draws attention to the impact on the ecological system, as well as on the food chain. The information had been submitted by experts from the Agricultural Council, the Botanical garden, the Museum of National History, and the gardening industry.

The idea of an environmental calendar was realised in the process of developing information on gardens without poisons. As an information tool, it should influence the behaviour and attitude of young people.

Results and Impacts

The various Chemical Sweep projects have opened up some important avenues for a phasing out of dangerous substances, a setting up of new environmental standards, and for increasing environmental awareness amongst producers and users. The following results have been achieved:

The project established a register on the products and the manufacturers of products containing methylene dichloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. In consequence, the Environmental Protection Office succeeded in convincing distributors and shops to remove the products from their shelves. The findings of the project contributed to the process of speeding up the change to alternative methods of production and to the introduction of less environmentally harmful products. There had been gains in the following areas:

By 1992, the environmental authority had succeeded in reaching an agreement with manufacturers to stop the use of nonyl phenol etoxylates in all kinds of cleaning products.

Seven of the newly tested products proved to create less environmental pollution than the products which were in widespread use. The test revealed that the use of the new products eliminates aromatic hydrocarbons and results in smaller amounts of substances which are toxic and which have a low biodegradability upon reaching the municipal sewage treatment plant. A substation rule has been invoked, and car washes have been requested to use the tested products. The Environmental Protection Office gave notice on project results to all car wash installations in Gothenburg, and today approximately 90% of the car washing stations in Gothenburg use environmentally-adapted car wash detergents. According to the national Act on Chemical Products, dangerous chemical products shall be replaced if less dangerous alternatives are available. In consequence, from December 1992 onwards, the Environmental Protection Office started to carry out related inspections. The project has greatly influenced the use of car washing detergents all over Sweden. Furthermore, it has been beneficial for the producers, as it improved their know-how on the procedures of environmental safety assessment.

There is an increasing variety of environmental vehicles available on the Swedish market. These vehicles run on fuels that are more environmentally friendly than gasoline and diesel – primarily methane gas, ethanol, or electricity. Although the product range is expanding rapidly, environmental vehicles enjoy less marketing support than ordinary cars. That makes a desirable market-impact more difficult to attain. At the same time, the interest for alternative vehicles is increasing among customers and public departments that want to help create a better environment – especially in larger cities such as Gothenburg. One fuel-related legislative advancement is that only ‘environmental diesel class 1‘ is currently available at petrol stations in Sweden.

The study on the additives in cutting fluids reported on the types of cutting fluids, markets, prices, different additives, choice of fluids, handling, and distribution channels. An overview of the impacts of additives in cutting fluids had been presented at seminars of the metal workers‘ union. However, the impact of the project is hardly measurable, as the report contained no proposals for change. So far there has been no review of the situation.

A result of the recharging without cadmium project was the introduction of metal hybrid batteries, and to some extent, also lithium oxide batteries in Sweden. At the start of this Chemical Sweep programme, the alternative (nickel) hybride battery was almost unknown in Sweden. Although there had been some difficulties with the performance in certain applications, the less toxic batteries proved to be suitable for many high-energy output appliances; such as mobile telephones, video cameras, or shavers. Additional activities were stimulated as manufacturers and importers agreed to redesign products so that they would function well with the environmentally adapted batteries. This development can be regarded as an important step to encourage manufacturers to take into account environmental matters. Currently, all major companies have models which can be used with metal hybride batteries (e.g. Toshiba, Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, Braun, Philips). A ban has been proposed on the sales of closed nickel-cadmium batteries, but it is uncertain if the proposal will be passed by the Council of Ministers.

The success of this project may also impact environmental progress in Europe as the Swedish Department of the Environment put forward a PM 1995-10-26 to the European commission to change the existing directives on environmentally dangerous batteries (91/157/EEC and 93/86/EEC).

The manuals on the Good Choice of Chemicals established a basis for the introduction of environmentally adapted washing and cleaning products. As a result, supermarkets started to stock up to 50% of environmentally adapted laundry, washing, and cleaning products. In addition, there had been supporting measures to promote sales (e.g. better display, additional labelling, information guides, and mailings to area customers). An updated version of the manual was published in 1998.

Further activities are related to laundries in apartment buildings. The Chemical Sweep distributed to all owners of apartment houses and tenant / owner associations plastic-covered signs containing washing tips for a cleaner environment. This labelling action, which was called Wash Soft, proved to be a great success as the first thousand copies were sold out within a few weeks. The action was supported by public media attention, and the idea spread to neighbouring municipalities. Of even greater impact has been the environmental labelling systems implemented by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and Nordic Environmental Labelling.

This project had been mainly concerned with the supervision of the retailers as the final link in the chain. A series of inspections were made together with the municipal offices. The results underline the need for further action:

Fifty thousand copies of the booklet on gardens without poisons were printed in the first edition and distributed to all house owners in Gothenburg. In addition, experts from the botanical garden offered a new information service.

The Environmental Calendar had a circulation of 16,000 copies. 12,000 had been distributed via schools, while the remaining copies were handed out by libraries and as a replacement of the Environmental Protection Office’s traditional Christmas card. As a consequence, a large number of young people, as well as environmental project partners were reached.

Actors and Structures

Responsibility for supervision of the Chemical Sweep programme rested with the Gothenburg Environmental and Health Protection Agency. Implementation took place as a co-operative process involving programme staff, manufacturing industry representatives, and industrial user groups. The Chemical Sweep programme has been managed by a permanent staff of three. A project manager, a researcher, and an information officer had been employed full time, and external experts provided consultancy for special projects.

Finance

Chemical Sweep was initiated in 1989 by the Environmental Protection Committee of Gothenburg, and was funded by the Municipal Council. The total budget had been 6,000,000 Swedish crowns, or 2,000,000 Swedish crowns per annum. The expenses were distributed to the different projects and the management of the programme as follows:

Evaluation and Statements

The Chemical Sweep programme demonstrated the remarkable potentials of local action. The municipal authorities had been able to establish networks of co-operation which had been highly effective in challenging existing products and production methods. With this policy, the City of Gothenburg led the way as an environmental forerunner which achieved some dramatic transitions in the field of chemical use. The basic pre-condition for success had been the strategy of negotiated three-party deals. The Chemical Sweep team, as promoter, pushed manufacturers and customers in the right direction to experiment and implement innovative measures. The triangular constellation is essential in order to pursue an environmental policy of closed-cycle thinking and acting. The importance of the this policy approach has often been stressed in statements on the Chemical Sweep programme.

The city acted as a catalyst in these projects, whereby the local authority identified the intended objectives in the Environmental Policy, and offered its competence in finding solutions that would eventually lead to profit for the participating companies. In a survey of attitudes from business and industry, the city was given high grades for the co-operation and services offered to the different companies. Even if there was a wish that the municipality should listen more to the opinion of business, there was general satisfaction with the level of co-operation in these environmental projects. It is important to understand the joint efforts between municipality and business. There has been unanimous political backing of the environmental projects, with the objective of trying to change the picture of Gothenburg as a polluted city with poor quality of life. Businesses have been co-operative for similar reasons, but also because they saw a possible future expansion for themselves into new industrial market areas. Most of the projects were successful, in monetary terms and otherwise. (Lars Bergrund, 1995: p. 91)

Still, there is no standardised approach concerning project co-operation. Public, as well as private actors, have to go through different learning processes in the setting of new environmental arenas. A principle at work here is the municipality as a force for the implementation of holistic ideas, and for the eventual mainstreaming of environmental responsibility. With a history of successful projects, it is possible to integrate environmental principles into municipal work in all areas.

Measures against diffuse environmental impacts require considerable changes in consumption patterns and lifestyles, which certainly will take time. A multidimensional approach will therefore have the best effect. This brings us to the approach described in Agenda 21: future orientated, integrated, and co-operative with people and business. Lars Bergrund, 1995 p. 93)

Source of Information

Environmental Protection Office of the City of Gothenburg 1992: An environmental standard for car washing detergents, Gothenburg

Environmental Protection Agency of the City of Gothenburg 1993: Chemical Sweep. A Report on an environmental and health protection project to reduce the use of dangerous chemicals in Göteborg, Report R21 by the Environmental Protection Office of the City of Gothenburg

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency 1994: Strategy for Sustainable Development. Proposals for a Swedish Programme - Enviro Solna

Svärd, Bo 1994: Three Swedish cities take action against nickel-cadmium batteries. Report R13 by the Environmental Protection Office of the City of Gothenburg

The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning, (ed.) 1995: The Ecological City - The Swedish Report to OECD, Karlskrona

Miljöfordon i Göteborg Project P O Box 53048 S-400 14 Gothenburg Sweden: www.miljofordon.org

List of “accepted products” for car wash facilities (only Swedish text): www.miljo.goteborg.se/Sub/info/Kemikalier/bilvard.ham

Contact:

Cities:

Gothenburg :

Gothenburg is a coastal city with a population of 460,000 and a wider conurbation of 730,000 in the south of Sweden (approx. 9% of the Swedish total population). It is the second largest city with a traditional economic base in trade and industry. The port is the largest in Sweden. The dominant economic activities are automobile and affiliated product production (Volvo), oil refining, ball bearing industry (SKF), and modern high technology (Ericsson and Saab Space). In addition, research industries are also important (e.g., the drug industry has strong links to the medical research at the University of Gothenburg).

Language:
Type:	Project, 1
Area:	City/Town, 100,000 - 1 mill.
Actors:	Local government, Economic sector
Funding:	Local government, Economic Sector
Topics:	Solid waste
Objectives:	Improve access to information
	Improve chemical pollution control
	Improve national / international cooperation
	Increase use of clean technology
	Waste avoidance
Instruments:	Demonstration and pilot project
	New environmental policies and regulations

Employees, offices, computers, telephone etc.	50.0%
Car Wash Detergents project	12.5%
Battery projects	2.0%
Good Choice of Chemical Manual	3.0%
Alternative Washing powder projects	9.0%
Project on PVC in wall and floor coverings	1.6%
A Garden without Poisons project	5.6%
Environmental Calendar	2.0%
Attitude survey	1.5%
Exhibitions and trade fairs	2.1%
Travels, conferences, books	1.7%
Various expenses (e.g. advertisement)	9.0%

Name	:	Sv�rd
Firstname	:	Bo
Telefon	:	++46 / 31 / 612694
Telefax	:	++46 / 31 / 612767
Address	:	Bo Sv�rd
		Chemical Sweep
		P.O. Box 360
		S - 401 25 Gothenburg
		Sweden

Gothenburg:
Environmentally friendly product development in the chemical sector

Abstract: