Our three main challenges in terms of waste management are improving traceability, reducing the amount of waste we produce, and developing new solutions for treating and recycling waste.

Targeting traceability

Traceability is a priority throughout the entire process of collecting and treating the waste produced by our activities, whether this is done internally or outsourced. It contributes to the continuous improvement of waste reporting procedures, particularly in terms of classifying waste and identifying the type of treatment used.

Treating and recycling waste

Applying our policy of taking the entire life cycle into account, our teams are constantly striving to develop products and processes that have the smallest environmental footprint and/or generate the least possible waste.

In September 2006, Total teamed up with Veolia Environnement to develop a used motor oil recycling business. The new Osilub joint venture involves the construction of a plant in Grand-Quevilly, near Rouen in northwestern France. Scheduled for commissioning in 2009, the unit will be capable of recycling up to 120,000 metric tons of used oil a year. The distillate produced will be re-refined to produce new lubricants and fuels.

The practice of experience sharing has enabled us to learn from various pilot projects and to identify avenues for improvement. These include developing the reuse of waste products—such as plastics, organic waste, and decarbonator sludge—for agricultural or energy applications and reducing the toxicity of drilling fluids. New biodegradable products are also being devised,
particularly lubricants, such as Total Biolubs. Designed for applications in activities that could potentially harm the environment, they biodegrade quickly and are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

In countries where waste treatment infrastructure is inadequate, solutions include pooling operators' resources to create waste treatment solutions or implementing appropriate measures, such as incorporating waste collection centers at production facilities and setting up dedicated systems for waste collection, treatment, recycling and disposal.

In Cameroon, for example, we have developed a used oil recovery and recycling concept called Ecolub. In 2006, nearly 2,000 metric tons of oil were blended with heavy fuel oil to make fuel that is sold to local customers. After having been extended to Madagascar, Burkina Faso and Niger, the Ecolub concept is expected to be rolled out in other African countries, including Gabon and Senegal.

Hazardous waste treated offsite*
thousands of metric tons per year
(Total 2006 : 261 kt)

These figures do not include special hazardous
waste from dismantling units or treating land
contaminated inadvertently.