Sustainable Waste Management in the Paint and Coatings Industry: A Case Study of a Paint and Coatings Manufacturing Company in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The case study was based on a paint and coatings manufacturing company in Sri Lanka in order to analyse its current waste management practices and provide recommendations for implementation based on global sustainable waste management practices in the paint and coatings industry which minimize environmental impact, optimize resource utilization, ensure regulatory compliance, and support a circular economy. The waste quantities and end of life of wastes generated were identified with a comprehensive waste audit. The carbon emissions from the waste disposal were calculated according to the UK government conversion factors for greenhouse gas reporting. The waste management practices implemented by the company were analysed in comparison with the existing best practices in the industry. In the year 2023/24, 3.58 tonnes of sludge was incinerated, 103.09 tonnes of all other hazardous waste was recycled, 0.40 tonnes of food and drink waste was sent to landfills, and 30.00 tonnes of all other non-hazardous waste was recycled. The carbon emissions from the disposal of sludge, e-waste, metal waste, plastic waste and food and drink wastes was 2.326 tCO2e. All the existing waste management practices implemented in the manufacturing facility are in accordance with Sri Lankan environmental regulations. Global best practices such as reducing, reusing, recycling, and incinerating of wastes are followed. The company can broaden its paint recycling, implement internal weighing of wastes and solar drying of sludge. The company can be more sustainable by continuously analysing the global trends in waste management and implementing those best practices within the company.