SEWAGE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

GRI 306-1, 306-2
 

Total water discharge by quality and destination in 2018−2019 (GRI 306-1)
Wastewater
2019
2018
PGNiG Group
PGNiG
PGNiG Group
PGNiG
Domestic [‘000 m3]
396.4
0.3
370.1
0.3
Municipal [‘000 m3]
97.2
83.9
116.9
89.2
Industrial [‘000 m3]
8,816.0
10.2
8,471.2
10.9
Other [‘000 m3]
135,765.6
18.5
151,760.1
17.6

Wastewater generated by the PGNiG Group companies is discharged into the sewage system, surface water or soil based on the water permits obtained. Domestic and industrial wastewater is discharged into the sewage system. Rainwater from plant premises and access roads is discharged into the municipal sewage system, as well as into surface water and soil. 

The PGNiG TERMIKA Group companies account for a large share in the volume of generated wastewater as they use water for cooling purposes. The policy of economical water management is followed during drilling work and, where possible, wastewater is reused to prepare drilling muds.

PGNiG GHPB reported higher volumes of domestic wastewater from sanitary facilities on drilling rigs as well as higher volumes of rainwater and meltwater removed from drilling rigs, which is due to the drilling of deeper wells and longer time of rig operation.

Water recycled and reused
PGNiG TERMIKA EP reuses some of the process wastewater (such as effluents from boiler system blowdowns) in systems with lower quality requirements. 

In 2019, Geofizyka Toruń rolled out internal reorganisation measures as part of maintenance of the company’s wastewater collectors infrastructure, raising employees’ awareness of the importance of saving water and reducing the volume of sewage.

In and around the Mogilno UGSF and Kosakowo UGSF operated by GSP, an environmental monitoring project was carried out in order to identify possible impacts related to the discharge of salt brine (classified as an effluent) into the Puck Bay in the case of the Kosakowo CUGSF and operation of the onshore part of the project in the case of the Kosakowo UGSF and Mogilno UGSF. The results of the environmental monitoring indicate that construction and operation of underground gas storage facilities has no adverse effect on individual components of the natural environment. 

Gospodarka odpadami
Extraction and processing of crude oil and natural gas inherently involves production of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. In 2019, all PGNiG Group companies worked to optimise the volumes of generated waste, mainly by implementing new technology and using eco-friendly materials and products. The PGNiG Group companies deploy new technologies, increase utilisation of green materials and products and run waste sorting awareness programmes. The other waste is recycled by specialised external operators.
In 2019, PGNiG GHPB appointed a technical team to develop the concept of a technology for reducing drilling waste volumes by recovering and reusing the waste. The Zielona Góra Branch carried out internal inspections to verify the delivery of the QHSE Policy in its technical facilities, focusing on the assessment of compliance with environmental protection regulations, including with regard to management and storage of hazardous substances, selective waste collection, and emergency planning. The inspections were an opportunity to explain and consult on issues raising employees’ knowledge and awareness of the above-mentioned environmental aspects. PGNiG TERMIKA EP reduces its waste output by using fuels of highest quality and maintaining optimum conditions in its processes. Employees are also trained on appropriate waste management methods and measures to minimise the volume of generated waste.

Waste management methods used at the PGNiG Group in 2018−2019 (GRI 306-2)
Other waste excluding municipal waste
Recovered
Disposed of [Mg]
Landfilled [Mg]
Recycled [Mg]
Other recovery processes [Mg]

2019
Hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
119.7
306.9
3726.1
-
PGNiG
44.5
112.2
708.2
-
Non-hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
1,600.7
675,732.1
3,834.5
171.9
PGNiG
123.8
383.6
3,002.2
171.9

2018
Hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
111.1
229.4
1,404.9
-
PGNiG
40.9
88.9
504.1
-
Non-hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
639.1
506,622.2
4,261.9
200.0
PGNiG
10.8
353.9
3,660.8
200.0

Method of drilling waste management in 2018–2019 (GRI 306-2)
Drilling waste
 
Stored in waste disposal facilities [Mg]
Recovered [Mg]
Disposed of [Mg]
Reused [Mg]
Stored [Mg]
Stored in rock mass [Mg]

2019
Hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
-
2,380.4
25.9
-
-
-
PGNiG
-
2,380.4
25.9
-
-
-
Non-hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
748.1
85,840.4
20,814.1
-
990.6
11,139.5
PGNiG
-
81,191.2
10,660.5
-
149.1
11,139.5

2018
Hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
-
1,189.2
1,134.2
-
-
-
PGNiG
-
1,189.2
499.3
-
-
-
Non-hazardous waste
PGNiG Group
1,884.6
66,833.6
7,902.9
-
120.9
6,092.4
PGNiG
 
54,622.3
7,871.7
-
120.9
6,092.4

Gospodarka obiegu zamkniętego
PGNiG Group treats environmental management in a responsible manner, promoting rational management of resources. For many years, the PGNiG Group has been following the rules of circular economy, a concept which is in opposition to linear economy and assumes that all products, materials and resources should be used for as long as possible to minimise waste volumes. The concept, which is gaining in popularity among sustainable businesses, takes account of all phases of the product life cycle, from the design phase, through production, consumption, up to waste collection and waste management. In view of the above, notwithstanding the amendments to legal regulations which, following the transposition into the Polish legal framework of Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, impose as of July 5th 2020 certain obligations on companies, including the obligation to adopt the concept of circular economy as well as prevent and reduce waste volumes, the PGNiG Group has taken action to meet the regulatory requirements by managing waste and treating it as recyclables. 
An excellent example here is an initiative undertaken by PGNiG Termika, which for many years has been paying particular attention to the way waste and by-products generated in the course of electricity and heat production are managed. PGNiG Termika generates 550,000-650,000 tonnes of ash, slag and gypsum per year. These substances are known as combustion by-products and are treated as valuable materials that may be reused in other industrial sectors. Extensive research and works proved beyond doubt that these substances are not harmful to human health or the natural environment, and as such may be reused in various material or product applications, mainly in the building materials industry, civil engineering, road construction, construction work in underground mining, as well as reclamation and restoration of former surface mines.
Reclamation of the Żerań CHP ash landfill site, initiated in 2006, was a flagship project fully in line with the concept of circular economy. The primary objective of the project was to restore the functional value of 50 hectares of land located at the 522nd kilometre along the Vistula river. From the perspective of circular economy, the employed method of site grading, including the use of slags as a sub-base of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska Bridge, was of particular importance. Similar amounts of earth coming from excavations in construction sites of the Czajka wastewater treatment plant and the second line of the Warsaw metro were used to fill excavations and provide a reclamation layer. In this way a substance considered to be waste in one sector of the economy was used as a valuable resource in another sector. This method allowed both to reduce costs of all projects involved and to save valuable mineral deposits. 2017 saw the launch of a process to close and reclaim the combustion waste landfill site of the Siekierki CHP plant. The project draws on the earlier experience of PGNiG Termika Group and is another example of the practical application of the circular economy concept.