EcoOnline Case Studies Porsgrunn Local Authority: A Case Study on Reducing Chemical Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Edit This Case Study Record

	Porsgrunn Local Authority: A Case Study on Reducing Chemical Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions EcoOnline

Porsgrunn Local Authority: A Case Study on Reducing Chemical Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

EcoOnline

Technology Category	Sensors - Chemical Sensors Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors
Applicable Industries	Chemicals Education
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems Onsite Human Safety Management
Services	Training
Challenge	Porsgrunn Municipality, a local authority in Southern Norway, was faced with the challenge of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and the use of chemicals. The municipality had 4,000 registered chemicals distributed among 44 businesses and 119 departments within healthcare, environment and urban development, education, and administration. The municipality's action program aimed to reduce 10% of chemicals by 2023. The challenge was not only to meet this target but also to ensure the safe use and handling of chemicals. Recent figures from the Norwegian Occupational Safety and Health Administration showed that over 200 Norwegians receive a cancer diagnosis each year from exposure to dangerous chemicals in the workplace. Furthermore, research highlighted that 20% of all lung cancer cases and 10-15% of all asthma cases in adulthood are due to work-related exposure to hazardous substances. Read More
About Customer	Porsgrunn Municipality is a local authority located in one of Norway’s largest industrial regions. It has around 2,700 employees and serves 37,000 residents. The municipality is responsible for a wide range of services, including healthcare, environment and urban development, education, and administration. It is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and the use of chemicals. In support of this commitment, the municipality presented its first climate budget in early 2022, which included the reduction of chemicals as a concrete measure. Read More
Solution	To address this challenge, Porsgrunn Municipality presented its first climate budget in early 2022, which included the reduction of chemicals as a concrete measure. The municipality collaborated with EcoOnline to monitor, report, and assess the risks of chemicals. Many of the region’s employees were directly involved in the project through training and practical implementation. Greater awareness of the risks associated with chemical use led to EHS improvements throughout the region. It promoted safer alternatives and methods, such as replacing chemical products with microfibre cloths and water. A considerable number of workplaces were guilty of carrying unused chemical products due to inadequate purchasing procedures. The project also benefited firefighters in the region, who have an increased workplace risk of hazardous chemical exposures linked to toxic smoke. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Sensors - Chemical Sensors

Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors

Applicable Industries

Chemicals

Education

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems

Onsite Human Safety Management

Services

Training

Challenge

Porsgrunn Municipality, a local authority in Southern Norway, was faced with the challenge of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and the use of chemicals. The municipality had 4,000 registered chemicals distributed among 44 businesses and 119 departments within healthcare, environment and urban development, education, and administration. The municipality's action program aimed to reduce 10% of chemicals by 2023. The challenge was not only to meet this target but also to ensure the safe use and handling of chemicals. Recent figures from the Norwegian Occupational Safety and Health Administration showed that over 200 Norwegians receive a cancer diagnosis each year from exposure to dangerous chemicals in the workplace. Furthermore, research highlighted that 20% of all lung cancer cases and 10-15% of all asthma cases in adulthood are due to work-related exposure to hazardous substances.

About Customer

Porsgrunn Municipality is a local authority located in one of Norway’s largest industrial regions. It has around 2,700 employees and serves 37,000 residents. The municipality is responsible for a wide range of services, including healthcare, environment and urban development, education, and administration. It is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and the use of chemicals. In support of this commitment, the municipality presented its first climate budget in early 2022, which included the reduction of chemicals as a concrete measure.

Solution

To address this challenge, Porsgrunn Municipality presented its first climate budget in early 2022, which included the reduction of chemicals as a concrete measure. The municipality collaborated with EcoOnline to monitor, report, and assess the risks of chemicals. Many of the region’s employees were directly involved in the project through training and practical implementation. Greater awareness of the risks associated with chemical use led to EHS improvements throughout the region. It promoted safer alternatives and methods, such as replacing chemical products with microfibre cloths and water. A considerable number of workplaces were guilty of carrying unused chemical products due to inadequate purchasing procedures. The project also benefited firefighters in the region, who have an increased workplace risk of hazardous chemical exposures linked to toxic smoke.

Impact #1	The project led to significant operational results. It not only exceeded the target of reducing 10% of chemicals by 2023, reaching 16% in just six months, but also promoted safer alternatives and methods. The project created a safer environment for the employees and residents of the municipality. It also led to EHS improvements throughout the region, with greater awareness of the risks associated with chemical use. The project also benefited firefighters in the region, who have an increased workplace risk of hazardous chemical exposures linked to toxic smoke. The municipality is now looking to explore further possibilities to generate more significant results and wants to share its experiences so that other local authorities across the globe can achieve effective results quickly and without incurring high costs to implement.

Impact #1

The project led to significant operational results. It not only exceeded the target of reducing 10% of chemicals by 2023, reaching 16% in just six months, but also promoted safer alternatives and methods. The project created a safer environment for the employees and residents of the municipality. It also led to EHS improvements throughout the region, with greater awareness of the risks associated with chemical use. The project also benefited firefighters in the region, who have an increased workplace risk of hazardous chemical exposures linked to toxic smoke. The municipality is now looking to explore further possibilities to generate more significant results and wants to share its experiences so that other local authorities across the globe can achieve effective results quickly and without incurring high costs to implement.

Benefit #1	Reduced the use of over 1,000 chemical products in six months
Benefit #2	Saved NOK 500,000 (around £41,000) in six months
Benefit #3	Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 tons in six months

Benefit #1

Reduced the use of over 1,000 chemical products in six months

Benefit #2

Saved NOK 500,000 (around £41,000) in six months

Benefit #3

Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 tons in six months

Download PDF Version

Overview

Porsgrunn Local Authority: A Case Study on Reducing Chemical Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit