Targeting traceability

Hazardous waste treated offsite from

routine operations and special
waste from dismantling of units
(metric ktons/year) in 2008.

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 2006, Total teamed up with Veolia Environment to develop a used motor oil recycling business. The Osilub joint venture involves the construction of a plant in France, to re-refine up to 120,000 metric tons of used motor oil a year (half of the total amount collected in France) into vacuum gas oil (VGO), starting in 2009.

Creating reliable waste treatment options in more countries

With operations in many non-OECD countries, Total wants to help introduce organized waste management processes where they are lacking. For instance, we have deployed a two-part pilot project in Gabon in partnership with waste treatment specialist Séché Environnement. The project focuses on waste reduction at source and oily waste recycling and recovery, as well as collecting hazardous waste that cannot be treated locally and exporting it to accredited centers in Europe. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure waste traceability, expand collection by pooling existing local resources, promote reliable, long-term channels and ensure their acceptability.