Persistent
bioaccumulative
chemicals

Commentary

Background Sixty to seventy thousand synthetic chemicals are now in regular use worldwide. A report commissioned by the US State of New Jersey found that minimal or no toxicity data existed for 66% of pesticides and their supposedly inert ingredients, 84% of cosmetic ingredients, 64% of drugs, 81% of food additives and 88-90% of commercial chemicals.i

Context The bank has monitored chemicals in products and operations since 1998. CIS began to examine its chemicals use during 2002, and reports on refrigerant use this year.

'Toxics' screening Since 2000, designated bank supplier contracts have been screened against a range of toxic chemicals, based on the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action,ii together with Bisphenol A and PVC. From 2003, this list has been the basis for priority phase-out in CIS and across the Co-operative Group, with the exception of Farmcare and Retail, where screening against a more appropriate and extensive list of chemicals has occurred for some time. During 2003, attention was focused on the 'Green Branch'iii refurbishment programme. Green Branch approved products, including fixtures, decorating materials and furnishings, have now been introduced at twelve branches. PVC-free wallpaper has been introduced at seven premises, and ecologically-screened paint has been used at seven premises. PVC-free entrance matting and carpets were introduced at six premises. Follow this link for details of progress on the drive to pursue totally chlorine-free paper.

Plastic cards Virtually all credit and debit cards in the world are made of PVC. PVC is also used in the manufacture of a wide range of items, including food packaging, cabling, and electrical goods. If PVC is burned, it can release toxic chemicals, including dioxins. These chemicals can build up over time in the bodies of living things, and can contribute to problems in development, reproduction, growth and behaviour. In 2001, the bank sourced an alternative to PVC, based on the plastic PETG, which does not contain chlorine, or use it in its production. Chemicals, such as lead chromate and DEH Phthalate, have been removed from the inks of some cards. In 2001, it was agreed with the bank's card suppliers that no more orders of PVC would be placed. With the exception of 3,000 debit cards, printed in 2002 on PVC due to technical difficulties, this policy has been adhered to.

Air conditioning Prior to 2000, CFS' air conditioning systems were dominated by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These organohalogens are either potent ozone depletors or greenhouse gases, and in some cases, both. As air conditioning systems are replaced, it is preferred that systems based on water, ammonia, lithium bromide or hydrocarbons are introduced. In all cases, the global warming and ozone depletion potential of these chemicals is substantially less than that of organohalogens such as HFCs.
Air conditioning - Bank The global warming potential of the bank's air conditioning systems reduced by 9% in 2003, and has reduced by 69% since 1999. All HFCs and HCFCs removed are passed to third parties for recycling. During 2003, 25 hydrocarbon systems were installed across the bank's main offices, resulting in 89.6kg of the HCFC R22 being replaced with 44.5kg of hydrocarbons. In the branch network, air conditioning units were replaced at six branches, resulting in 21.3kg of the HCFC R22 and 4.8kg of the HFC R407 being replaced with 18.2kg of hydrocarbons. During 2003, 8.7kg of the HFC R407 were replaced with 4.5kg of hydrocarbons at Balloon Street, Manchester. Regrettably, for technical and budgetary reasons, an HFC system that breached CFS' preferred ecological options was installed in the IT communications room at Prescot Street, London.
Air conditioning - CIS  There are currently no hydrocarbon-based systems at CIS, and the global warming potential of organohalogens in use is equivalent to 3,657 tonnes of CO2. During 2003, 30.7kg of the HFC R407 was introduced to Miller Street, Manchester. As of 2004, CIS commits to introducing ecologically-sound air conditioning wherever feasible, during the refurbishment, replacement or installation of equipment.

Fire control Prior to 1998, the majority of the bank's fire control systems utilised halons, which are potent ozone depletors. A halon replacement programme began in December 1997 and took just over one year to complete. All halon systems were replaced with Inergen (a mixture of nitrogen, CO2 and argon, all of which naturally occur in the atmosphere). As a result, the combined global warming potential of the bank's air conditioning/fire control systems has reduced by 92% since 1998. Inergen was also introduced for all halon replacement activities at CIS, and removal was completed in 2001.

Water cooling equipment Discussions have taken place between CFS' Procurement and Supplier Management and chilled water equipment suppliers. It is intended that organohalogen-based coolers will be replaced with equipment utilising hydrocarbons (R600) at Balloon Street, Manchester.

Emissions 164kg of organohalogen emissions, with an equivalent global warming potential of 279 tonnes of CO2, were released during 2003. The bank's commitment to offset the climate change emissions from air conditioning has been extended across CFS' business accommodation. To this end, a payment has been made to Climate Care, an organisation that, via sequestration, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, offsets the equivalent global warming potential of CFS' HFC and HCFC emissions.

Sustainability value analysis

• Additional cost associated with the purchase of ecologically-sound air conditioning systems in 2003 is £17,000.
• Additional cost associated with the carbon offset of air conditioning greenhouse gas emissions in 2003 is £1,500.

Influence and action

Safer chemicals In April 2003, the bank launched its Safer Chemicals campaign.iv The bank and WWF-UK called for a more precautionary approach to chemicals legislation; one which phases out chemicals known to be persistent and bioaccumulative and replaces them with safer alternatives. The bank supported the UK's largest ever bio-monitoring survey v (this involved the participation of a dozen bank staff, including Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Sheila Macdonald). Subsequently, it funded a survey of 44 MEPs. All of the people tested were contaminated with at least nine chemicals of concern. In September, the bank endorsed a WWF-UK report,vi which challenged industry claims that proposed EU legislation (REACH) would result in significant job losses across Europe. The research provided compelling evidence that stricter chemical regulation would result in net social and economic benefits. This was debated by senior political, business and environmental figures at a Labour Party Conference event in October. Through 2003, the bank contributed to EU and UK public consultations. For an independent appraisal of the campaign, visit CFS' website.vii

i Institute of Occupational Medicine (2000).
ii www.ospar.org/eng/html/sap/Strategy_hazardous_substances.htm#Annex2
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iii www.cfs.co.uk/sustainability2003/greenbranch
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iv www.co-operativebank.co.uk/ethics/safer_chemicals_about.html
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v www.co-operativebank.co.uk/ethics/safer_chemicals_news_biomonitoring.html
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vi www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/socialcostofchemicals.pdf
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vii www.cfs.co.uk/sustainability2003/audit/saferchemicals.htm
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