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THE INDUSTRIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE EXAMPLE OF AN ENTERPRISE FROM THE WOOD CARPENTRY INDUSTRY

Dorota Palka

Abstract

Industrial waste is a very important environmental problem. It is the result of business activities carried out by man. Waste is practically manufactured at every stage of production and service activities. In many cases, waste includes very dangerous and toxic products that negatively affect the soil, air and water. In Poland about 90% of all waste is industrial waste, coming mainly from mining, metallurgy, power industry, chemical industry, processing industry, food industry and others. This waste causes a very important social and economic problem. Legal requirements and increasing social awareness in the field of environmental protection make it necessary to carry out activities to manage and dispose of this waste. In the present-day reality, rational waste management is a priority in the field of environmental protection of many countries, including Poland. The subject of this article is part of this area and concerns the management of industrial waste produced in the wood and carpentry industry. In recent years in Poland, this industry is developing really dynamically. This is supported both by domestic demand and by growing exports. The problem, however, is recycling of large quantities of waste generated during the process of wood processing. They are formed during the whole process, from the very beginning that is from the time of cutting a tree to the very end that is to the finished product. This article discusses the types of wood waste generated and their quantified analysis. The methods of their use are presented, taking into account the quantitative division of these methods. A practical example of the way of wood waste management is illustrated by the example of an enterprise operating in a strongly urbanized and economically active region of Silesia. The processed and used method of storing and recycling of wood waste in this company enables practically its full reuse. This process also brings additional economic benefits while preserving neutrality for the environment. This is a positive example of a sustainable eco-economy. The issues discussed and the example presented in the article should constitute an important voice in the discussion on environmental protection once the environmental awareness of society is raised. In particular, this applies to industrialized areas where production activity is dynamic, but where its negative impact on the environment may sometimes be forgotten.

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