-Responsible Care® companies are committed to protecting and improving the environments in which they operate

Environment

Responsible Care^® companies are committed to protecting and improving the environments in which they operate. All ACC member companies, through Responsible Care, publicly report on their progress in meeting environmental performance measurements in the following areas:
SOx/NOx
Water Consumption
Reducing Emissions

SOx / NOx
Protecting air quality is critical to public and environmental health. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide (SOx) are pollutants emitted by industrial and manufacturing facilities that can negatively affect air quality. As such, SOx and NOx emissions are identified as core environmental indicators. These emissions fall under Clean Air Act Title V permitting requirements, and ACC member companies have implemented a variety of measures to control their emissions.

Between 2008 and 2012, Responsible Care companies reduced SOx emissions by about 40 percent and reduced NOx emissions by about 22 percent.

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Water Consumption
Water consumption is a global issue – today 1.1 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water. The chemistry industry is working to protect water quality and minimize adverse impacts on this critical natural resource.
In 2008, ACC member companies began tracking water consumption, defined as the total amount of water brought onsite for use in manufacturing activities, to demonstrate their commitment to reduce water usage in their operations. In 2012, Responsible Care companies consumed about the same amount of water as in 2008, even with an increase in manufacturing.

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Reducing Emissions
Responsible Care companies have made significant progress in reducing hazardous emissions to the environment. Responsible Care companies measure emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) – chemicals identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) as known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects or adverse environmental effects.
Since 1988, Responsible Care companies have reduced all HAPs emissions by 76 percent. 
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