Environmental management
Our QHSE Policy supports environmentally responsible operations that protect the health and safety of employees and third-party workers. [GRI G4-2]
Our Integrated Quality, Occupational Health & Safety and Environment (QHSE) Policy was implemented in 2014. In 2015, the Mint’s Environmental Management System and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems were certified by the Brazilian Technical Standards Association (ABNT) to ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, respectively. Our approach to environmental management focuses on protecting and respecting people and nature, compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and identifying and mitigating risks. The Mint’s QHSE Policy supports environmentally responsible operations that protect the health and safety of our staff.
In 2010 the Mint became a signatory of the Government Environment Agenda (A3P), a program run by the Office for Environmental Stewardship and Institutional Coordination under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment (SAIC/MMA). The purpose of the program is to foster social and environmental responsibility and the incorporation of sustainability criteria in government. [GRI G4-15]
Key ongoing initiatives include: water recycling systems in our production processes, construction of systems for the use of treated wastewater; energy-saving campaigns; and consumption efficiency programs. The Mint periodically reports to the Ministry of the Environment on the status of proposed initiatives.
Materials used [G4-EN1], G4-DMA Materials
A list of the primary materials used in the Mint’s manufacturing processes is provided below:
Printing materials in general* | Unit of measure | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ink (offset, intaglio and magnetic printing) | Kg | 35,670 | 39,466 | 36,839 |
Inkjet ink | L | 67 | 45 | 50 |
Inkjet solvent | L | 26 | 188 | 207 |
N-propyl acetate | Kg | 2,796 | 3,145 | 2,232 |
Stock certificate paper | Sheets | 7,828,982 | 7,431,810 | 1,270,176 |
Resin paper | Sheets | 1,152,174 | 1,255,862 | 1,164,359 |
Phosphorescent coated paper | Sheets | 242,753 | 421,482 | 243,687 |
Self adhesive paper | Sheets | 234,923 | 255,197 | 15,355 |
Stock certificate paper with coat of arms | Sheets | 1,203,258 | 1,471,454 | 394,000 |
Printing cardboard | Kg | 122,520 | 125,301 | 81,490 |
Laminate | Sheets | 318,222 | 253,454 | 360,290 |
Laminate | Rolls | 13 | 975 | 1,254 |
Sewing thread | M | 982,056 | 1,043,000 | 986,000 |
Film | Sheets | 1,181,022 | 1,290,656 | 1,172,334 |
Cartridge | Units | 23,985 | 21,439 | 530 |
Foil | Rolls | 160 | 184 | 186 |
Adhesive film | Rolls | 87 | 97 | 91 |
Packaging materials | Unit of measure | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
Glue | Kg | 3,350 | 2,950 | 3,550 |
Self-adhesive label | Rolls | 679 | 527 | 392 |
Self-adhesive label | Rolls | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Label without adhesive | Rolls | 9 | 5 | 1 |
Carton | Units | 24,784 | 30,164 | 36,783 |
Heat shrink film | Rolls | 122 | 119 | 84 |
Ribbon | Rolls | 151 | 126 | 29 |
Envelope | Units | 11,199 | 8,998 | 9,954 |
Pressure-sensitive tape | Rolls | 1,237 | 1,113 | 808 |
Thermoplastic adhesive | Kg | 225 | 175 | 175 |
* A determination cannot be made as to whether the materials are from renewable sources as they are purchased from external suppliers.
Source: ERP System (inventory and cost modules).
Materials used in the production of banknotes* | Unit of measure | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ink | Kg | 101,548.04 | 67,990.40 | 126,661.18 |
Flexographic varnish | Kg | 22,039.30 | 22,420.00 | 24,820.00 |
Miscellaneous paper | Kg | 32,535.50 | 8,526.00 | 21,138.41 |
Holographic band | Rolls | 1,121 | 1,811 | 1,618.69 |
* A determination cannot be made as to whether the materials are from renewable sources as they are purchased from external suppliers.
Source: ERP System (inventory and cost modules).
Packaging materials | Unit of measure | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Paper tape | Roll | 6,839 | 670 | 4,633.01 |
Flexible PVC box | Unit | 5,000.00 | 45,415.00 | 59,662.00 |
Cardboard angle | Unit | 100,000.00 | 88,500.00 | 117,245.80 |
Corrugated board | Unit | 248,010.00 | 200,000.00 | 188,538.20 |
Self-adhesive label | Roll | 4,325.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Polyethylene shrink film (without print and customized) | Roll | 1,150 | 0 | 0.00 |
Thermal transfer tape | Roll | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Security seal | Unit | 220,000.00 | 0.00 | 68,000.00 |
Wood pallets, banknote cartons | Unit | 1,500.00 | 1,890.00 | 1,985.57 |
Corrugated cardboard pallet top | Unit | 5,000.00 | 4,000.00 | 1,942.00 |
Source: ERP System (inventory and cost modules).
Materials used in the production of medals and coins (kg)* | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Stainless steel round and rectangular bar stock | 3,974.070 | 5,458.920 | 4,335.250 |
Polycarbonate sheet | 652.000 | 744.000 | 544.000 |
Stainless steel discs (R$ 0.50 coin and R$ 1.00 core) | 942,700.000 | 1,221,797.000 | 1,501,623.000 |
Carbon steel discs (R$ 0.05, R$ 0.10, R$ 0.25 coins and R$ 1.00 ring) | 3,119,130.370 | 3,154,887.698 | 2,107,352.630 |
Gold (gold medal/commemorative coin) | 30.632 | 62.845 | 11.232 |
Silver (silver medal/commemorative coin) | 1,724.721 | 2,992.976 | 3,034.542 |
Bronze/tomback (bronze medal/tomback) | 474.980 | 335.879 | 12,228.520 |
*All materials are from nonrenewable sources.
Source: ERP System (inventory and cost modules).
Packaging materials (KG) | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Cardboard cartons, coins* | 12,008.720 | 12,281.760 | 10,503.600 |
Self-adhesive labels* | 1,006.000 | 1,546.000 | 1,212.000 |
Polyethylene film | 32,367.000 | 37,010.500 | 30,403.435 |
Polypropylene tape | 1,458.000 | 2,535.400 | 1,290.000 |
Polyester tape | 945.600 | 1,019.700 | 804.600 |
Wood pallet* | 55,584.000 | 57,600.000 | 49,800.000 |
Blister packs(PVC) | 454.775 | 747.175 | 460.250 |
Capsules (acrylic) | 3,558.400 | 3,566.860 | 992.360 |
Coin wallets (paper)* | 987.900 | 2,637.580 | 497.640 |
Plastic envelope | 148.980 | 188.922 | 44.450 |
Wood cases (Olympic medals)* | 0.000 | 0.000 | 1,915.920 |
Paper cases (Olympic licenses/participation medals)* | 0.000 | 0.000 | 6,192.100 |
Cases (miscellaneous materials)* | 4,430.300 | 4,237.590 | 2,305.170 |
Olympic medal ribbon* | 0.000 | 0.000 | 53.290 |
Envelopes (paper)* | 15.430 | 347.500 | 169.390 |
* Materials from renewable sources.
Source: ERP System (inventory and cost modules).
The disclosures on these pages also indicate whether the materials are from renewable sources
Materials used in production (including final products)* (KG) | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Stainless steel round and rectangular bar stock | 3,974.070 | 5,458.920 | 4,335.250 |
Polycarbonate sheet | 652.000 | 744.000 | 544.000 |
Stainless steel discs (R$ 0.50 coin and R$ 1.00 core) | 942,700.000 | 1,221,797.000 | 1,501,623.000 |
Carbon steel discs (R$ 0.05, R$ 0.10, R$ 0.25 coins and R$ 1.00 ring) | 3,119,130.370 | 3,154,887.698 | 2,107,352.630 |
Gold (gold medal/commemorative coin) | 30.632 | 62.845 | 11.232 |
Silver (silver medal/commemorative coin) | 1,724.721 | 2,992.976 | 3,034.542 |
Bronze/tomback (bronze medal/tomback) | 474.980 | 335.879 | 12,228.520 |
Packaging materials | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
Cardboard cartons, coins* | 12,008.720 | 12,281.760 | 10,503.600 |
Self-adhesive labels* | 1,006.000 | 1,546.000 | 1,212.000 |
Polyethylene film | 32,367.000 | 37,010.500 | 30,403.435 |
Polypropylene tape | 1,458.000 | 2,535.400 | 1,290.000 |
Polyester tape | 945.600 | 1,019.700 | 804.600 |
Wood pallet* | 55,584.000 | 57,600.000 | 49,800.000 |
Blister packs(PVC) | 454.775 | 747.175 | 460.250 |
Capsules (acrylic) | 3,558.400 | 3,566.860 | 992.360 |
Coin wallets (paper)* | 987.900 | 2,637.580 | 497.640 |
Plastic envelope | 148.980 | 188.922 | 44.450 |
Wood cases (Olympic medals)* | 0.000 | 0.000 | 1,915.920 |
Paper cases (Olympic licenses/participation medals) | 0.000 | 0.000 | 6,192.100 |
Cases (miscellaneous materials)* | 4,430.300 | 4,237.590 | 2,305.170 |
Olympic medal ribbon* | 0.000 | 0.000 | 53.290 |
Envelopes (paper)* | 15.430 | 347.500 | 169.390 |
* Materials from renewable sources.
Source: ERP System (inventory and cost modules).
Waste management [G4-EN2], G4-DMA Effluents and waste
Waste management practices at the Mint conformed to Brazil’s National Waste Management Policy under Act 12.305/2010. A third-party company works with the Mint’s technical team to provide integrated waste management services, from waste sorting at the Santa Cruz plant to final disposal. Industrial and recyclable waste materials are sorted, segregated, weighed and stored temporarily at a 5,200 square-meter waste depot with modern infrastructure.
Since 2015, banknote waste materials have no longer been landfilled and are now co-processed as a more environmentally friendly disposal method. In addition to extending the useful life of landfills, the new disposal method allows energy to be produced from waste. 173 metric tons of waste were co-processed in 2015. Waste volumes decreased significantly in 2016 due to the reduced production rates.
202.8 metric tons
of empty drums recycled, generating revenues of more than R$ 200,000
The Mint works continuously to reduce waste volumes and develop lower-impact, environmentally friendly disposal methods. While our environmental management department has not yet established a target minimum percentage of recycled raw materials in our production processes, significant progress has been made in this direction: [G4-EN2]
• Development of an environmentally viable solution for recycling ink residues from banknote printing (ink ‘cakes’) as a raw material for recycled aggregate for use in construction;
• Feasibility tests on the use of copper scraps in the manufacture of medals. The use of recyclable materials from plant waste will reduce the requirement for externally sourced copper for medal production while creating value from waste materials;
• Use of recycled silver from mirrors and plates disposed of by the Mint;
• Embroidered ribbons for Olympic and Paralympic awards made from recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fibers;
The tables on page 72 show the amount of waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) disposed of from 2014 to 2016, broken down by disposal method and treatment technology.
Nonhazardous waste (in metric tons, by disposal method) [G4-EN23] | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Composting | 162.5 t | 399.7 t | 478.4t |
Recycling | 408.8 t | 805.0 t | 374.8t |
Incineration (mass burn) | 6.2 t | 6.1 t | 0.1t |
Sanitary landfill | 436.8 t | 258.4 t | 192.9t |
Industrial landfill - Class IIA | 1,795.2 t | 817.2 t | 813.8t |
Blending and Co-processing | 223.1 t | 359.0t | 277.4t |
Total | 2,809.4 t | 2,286.5 t | 1,009.0 t |
Hazardous waste (in metric tons, by disposal method) [G4-EN23] | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Recycling | 4.2 t | 9.7 t | 9.5t |
Incineration (mass burn) | 48.6 t | 12.3 t | 12.9t |
Blending and co-processing | 86.7 t | 53.3 t | 71.3t |
Industrial landfill - Class I | 276.7 t | 59.5 t | 18.1t |
Total | 416.2 t | 134.9 t | 111.8 t |
Source: Waste Manifest
173 metric tons
of cotton fiber paper sent for co-processing
320.7 metric tons
of scrap recycled in the steel making industry, generating revenues of R$ 187,300
The graph below shows the Mint’s recent waste recycling and reuse figures. Recycling and reuse methods include composting into organic fertilizers, co-processing in cement kilns, reprocessing, metals recovery and re-refining of oil.
Waste recycled or reused (%)*
*Not including construction waste.
Source: Waste Manifest
The disposal of environmental liabilities (disk storage drums) in 2015 increased the percentage of recycled waste. Without the environmental liabilities, the percentage of waste recycled decreased in 2016.
Waste segregation
The Mint has a waste segregation system in place conforming to Decree 5940 of October 25, 2006, including color-coded bins for the different types of waste. In accordance with Conema Resolution 55/2013, blue bins are for recyclable materials and gray bins are for non-recyclable materials. Employees have attended lectures to raise awareness about the importance of segregating waste materials. Organic waste from the canteen is now sent for composting; each month, 30 metric tons of kitchen waste are composted into fertilizer.
Energy consumption [G4-EN3, EN5], G4-DMA Energy
Energy intensity is calculated based on generation information contained in the Annual Inventory published by the State Environment Institute (INEA) and electricity consumption data measured at each manufacturing department by the Utilities Management Department.
Energy intensity* | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Banknote production (kWh/thousand units) | 6.92 | 9.37 | 8.60 |
Coin and medal production (kWh/thousand units) | 6.07 | 15.34 | 6.53 |
*Energy intensity measures the electricity consumed within the organization. Calculation - Banknotes: kWh/thousand banknotes. Coins, medals and insignia: kWh/thousand units produced.
Source: utility invoices and ERP system (inventory and costs module)
Fuel consumption – nonrenewable (in GJ*) | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Piped gas, Rio de Janeiro | 4,923.2 | 5,114.9 | 4,857.9 |
Diesel oil | 881.6 | 424.9 | 528.5 |
Automotive gasoline | 94.7 | 86.4 | 160.0 |
Liquefied Petroleum Gas | 49,527.9 | 35,815.6 | 34,178.3 |
Total fuel consumed (GJ) | 55,427.4 | 41,441.8 | 39,724.7 |
* GJ= Gigajoules= 1 billion Joules (unit of measure for energy). 4.2 Joules = 1 calorie.
Source: utility invoices and ERP system (inventory and costs module)
Total energy – purchased | Unit of measure | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Purchase electricity (Manufacturing Plant) | KWh | 38,564,266.00 | 39,957,891.00 | 38,902,960.00 |
Purchased electricity (Flamengo Offices) | KWh | 122,080.00 | 146,160.00 | 153,040.00 |
Purchased electricity (Brasilia Head Office) | KWh | 15,223.00 | 18,056.00 | 14,636.00 |
Purchased electricity (Praça da República Museum) | KWh | 91,000.00 | 134,200.00 | 97,200.00 |
Total purchased electricity | KWh | 38,792,569.00 | 40,256,247.00 | 39,167,836.00 |
* Offices acquired in 2013; electricity consumption monitored from September 2013.
Source: utility invoices and ERP system (inventory and costs module)
Electricity and piped gas are measured on the basis of monthly emissions indicated in monthly utilities invoices. Diesel oil is used by stationary generators at the Mint; information on fuel consumption is compiled from materials handling reports generated by an automated management system. Gasoline, diesel oil and liquefied petroleum gas are used by the Mint’s vehicle fleet and information has been compiled from the relevant departments to develop the Mint’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
A number of initiatives have been implemented since 2014 to reduce energy consumption. These included a series of lectures delivered to employees to raise awareness and a communication campaign on energy efficiency. The Mint’s Ombudsman’s Office has also encouraged employees to raise concerns related to energy saving. In another initiative, the lighting system at our office building was retrofitted with modern, energy-saving luminaries, lamps and ballasts.
The Mint’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory is developed in accordance with the GHG Protocol, the method most widely used by companies and governments globally to prepare greenhouse gas inventories. Inventory information is independently verified and since 2013 has received a Gold Mark for reporting complexity. For greater transparency, since 2013 the Mint has published its GHG emissions reports on the Public Emissions Register of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program (https://registropublicodeemissoes.com.br/index.php/participante/1830).
NOx, SOx and other significant air emissions are measured twice per year in accordance with the requirements set out in the Mint’s Operation and Recovery License. Emissions information is obtained from instantaneous data collected over a maximum period of 18 hours per year. G4-DMA Emissions
Water management [G4-EN8, EN10], G4-DMA Water
Since June 2013, the Mint has recorded the volumes of chemicals and wastewater produced in the recycling of cleaning solutions used in printing and manufacturing operations. A Water Recycling System (Aquasave) operating since April 2013 has reduced chemical and water consumption in our printing and manufacturing processes by 90%. From its entry into service to year-end 2016, the Aquasave system has reduced the consumption of cleaning solutions by 34 million liters, generating savings of R$ 3.7 million from 2014 to 2016.
GHG emissions* | Total emissions by scope (in metric tons of CO2 equivalent) | ||
---|---|---|---|
scope 1 | scope 2 | scope 3 | |
2014 | 722.8 | 5,220.8 | 3,614.8 |
2015 | 1,084.0 | 4,990.5 | 4,011.8 |
*For emissions in 2016, see the relevant note in the GRI content summary, page 84. Source: greenhouse gas inventories for 2014 and 2015.
Water consumption1 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|
Utility water usage (m³) | 234,030 | 207,380 | 173,000 |
Water recycled and reused1 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
Total volume of water recycled or reused (m³) | 5,574 | 4,436 | 6,386 |
Recycling rate (%) | 2.38 | 2.14 | 3.69 |
1 Water consumption metrics include only the Manufacturing Plant, where water consumption has the highest impact compared with other buildings (Office, Headquarters and Museum). Water consumption was measured based on the consumption indicated by the utility company.
Our efforts to reduce our usage of materials and natural resources have included lectures, information campaigns and retrofits with more efficient appliances.