Petrotin goes green

In addressing the gathering Petrotrin’s president Kenneth Allum emphasised that the programme was about change in behaviour which when fully implemented would impact all Petrotrin’s fields and neighbouring communities. The launch was held at Petrotrin Learning Centre in Point-a-Pierre.

Saying that the State-owned company could never over emphasise the importance of teaching the right habits especially to the young, Allum added that this was so because individuals will grow up to be the decision makers.

“This recycling project will focus on the effective management of all recyclable waste generated throughout the company’s operations. It will also include an education initiative in all schools in our fence-line communities,” Allum said, adding that such an initiative was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme in effect. Mankind, he added, has recognised that one cannot continue to dispose of billions of tonnes of packaging and used consumer products without poisoning the ever-shrinking earth on which persons live. “Recycling is therefore one of the most rapidly evolving methods of environmental conservation. It reduces the need for land filling and incineration. It prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials,” Allum said as he listed several other benefits of the project. Senior manager of Petrotrin’s Refinery, Asgar Hosien, in delivering remarks said the environmental initiative was a significant step for Petrotrin, the first step to become responsible. “A greener workplace could mean a healthier work place and that means a more productive workplace not only to the employees but also the employers,” Hosein said.

Sharing information on about similar projects which he researched, he gave some ideas as to how a person can preserve the environment. “ Send e-mail rather than letters. Convert to PDF for paperless documents. Print on both sides of a page. Some people struggle to get to work, consider car-pooling. In addition to saving costs, it will also save gasoline and save our environment,” Hosein added.

Manager of corporate communication Gillian Friday also addressed the gathering and, like her colleagues, she too sought to explain the importance of having a clean environment.

“We voluntarily take responsibility for the impact of our activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and the general public. Indeed we seek to conduct our affairs as governed by higher ethical imperatives rather than by mere compliance to law,” she told the gathering

The Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust which is located nearby, she added, was ample testimony to Petrotrin’s commitment to the environment.

Several booths with environmental exhibits were on display, some of the companies included InterChem, Technical Systems Limited, Piranah International and Foot Prints Eco Resort and Spa.