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Actions
2021 Results
Actions
2021 Results
Feb 10, 2023
Wastes generation and Management
The integral wastes management is part of actions realized from the operational excellence to leverage the Environmental strategy and the Circular Economy model for Ecopetrol’s group. All of these actions are developed according with national normative restrictions and internal process achieved in Ecopetrol S.A.
In 2021 was stablished the integral wastes management roadmap in Ecopetrol S.A. which described an ambition plan called “Zero wastes disposal in 2040”, which represents all the implemented actions from the operative excellence for integral generated wastes management focused on Zero Global waste management system adoption. This promotes the wastes reuse and treatment avoiding a final disposal in landfills. All the above ideas are inputs for the ambition Ecopetrol’s circular plan.
 Solid Wastes generation (tons) |
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Wastes generated
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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| Hazardous wastes | 111,737.39 | 203,833.42 | 140,434.13 | 137,375.67 | ||||
| Non-hazardous wastes | 178,294.27 | 211,506.16 | 157,700.91 | 199,716.89 | ||||
| Total wastes generated | 290,031.66 | 415,339.58 | 298,135.04 | 337,092.56 | ||||
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Source: Data was obtained from SAP-Waste Management (SAP-WA) for the period of time presented.
Note: The hazardous wastes data for 2019 was adjusted after a quality information analysis. The 2019 data reported was 319,442.65 tons but after the analysis and revision of the date, it changed to 203,833.42 tons
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In 2021 the wastes generation was 337,093 tons where 137,376 was related with hazardous wastes and 199,717 tons represents non-hazardous wastes. These results represent a 13% increase compared with 2020 mainly due to non-hazardous wastes like rubbish, metal scrap, water-base drilling cuts and water clarification sludges. All of them due to returning to normal activities from covid-19 pandemic.
The hazardous wastes generation I 2021 was reduced by 2% compared with 2020 data. This result was obtained due to decreasing soil contamination with hydrocarbons leaked in environmental contingencies. The next wastes list is presented according with quantity generation: oil sludges, elements impregnated with HC, hydrocarbons presented in soils, used cracking catalysts, Soda treatment clays, polyethylene additives waste, used filters and asphalt wastes.
According with the total quantity of non-hazardous wastes generated the most relevant of them are: metal scrap, rubbish, organic wastes, vegetable wastes, wood, water base drilling cuts, and water clarification treatment sludges.
It's also important to recognize the data adjustment for hazardous wastes reported for 2019 as result of the information analysis and revision, where an error in the measurement unit was detected during the data upload. The reported data in 2019 was 319,442.65 tons, and this data changed to 203,833.42 tons after the analysis and revision.
 Solid wastes management with no final disposal – reuse (tons) |
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Wastes with no final disposal
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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| Hazardous wastes | 134.67 | 92.29 | 3,883.72 | 6,105.84 | ||||
| Non-Hazardous wastes | 135,118.45 | 201,320.21 | 31,863.13 | 47,565.51 | ||||
| Total wastes with no final disposal | 135,253.12 | 201,412.5 | 35,746.85 | 53,671.35 | ||||
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Source: Data was obtained from SAP-Waste Management (SAP-WA) for the period of time presente
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In 2021 the total wastes with no final disposal increased by 50% compared with 2020 due mainly to metal scrap (circular index 50%) storage between march and august 2020 caused by covid-19 pandemic. The increment also was caused by the wáter-base drilling cuts reuse in 2021 obtained by the gradual restart of drilling activities in that year.
In 2021 the hazardous wastes quantities with no final disposal were increased due to 57% oil sludges generated in Barancabermeja Refinery were reused as fuel in cement ovens.
Additionally, in 2021 3.020 wastes tons were reused for new inner activities such as organic composting from cooking activities and vegetable wastes which come from prune or agricultural activities where they are used as fertilizer and other coproducts for inner consumption or different group purposes. Composting facilities were created inside the industry. The circular index for this is 69%.
It is important to say that plastic, glass, paper and cardboard wastes were separated adequately in the source, so they could be sent to recyclers and foundations for reuse.
Also, in 2021 the sustainable catering practices were updates including environmental criteria for suppliers and green clauses.
 Solid wastes management cita final disposal (tons) |
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Wastes with final disposal
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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| Hazardous wastes | 111,602.72 | 203,741.13 | 136,550.41 | 131,269.83 | ||||
| Non-Hazardous wastes | 43,175.82 | 10,185.95 | 125,837.78 | 152,153.12 | ||||
| Total wastes with final disposal | 154,778.54 | 213,927.08 | 262,388.2 | 283,422.95 | ||||
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Source: Data was obtained from SAP-Waste Management (SAP-WA) for the period of time presented.
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According with the Integral wastes management guide, part of the management stages is the wastes verification of wastes. If the wastes physicochemical composition is not adequate or there is no available reuse in the market for these compounds, all the wastes are sent to final disposal processes.
In 2021 the main wastes sent for final disposal or elimination were:
- Rubbish
- Elements impregnated with HC
- Catalysts
- Used Filters
- Oil sludges
Data includes wastes that were sent to coprocessing stages and were treated through bioremediation including oil sludges and soils contaminated with hydrocarbons which represent 90% of hazardous wastes in Ecopetrol for 2021.
It is also important to say that nowadays the bioremediation process is carried out by third parties’ facilities with a property environmental license which authorized them to do this kind of activities.
In 2021 the coprocessing additional contracts started for impregnated elements which represents an increment un this disposal activity compared with data reported in 2020.
Hazardous wastes with final disposal were sent to landfills like impregnated elements with hydrocarbon and sludges with high asphaltenes quantities.
It is also important to highlight that in 2020 the wastes elimination increased due to an emergency caused by Covid-19 pandemic, and because some operations and treatments with third parties were suspended, therefore, the only option was the landfill elimination. This situation was normalized in 2021 with the activation of additional coprocessing contracts mentioned before.
