}
Super Recolhe: From Waste to Energy
Super Recolhe is a used cooking oil (UCO) recycling project that avoids discarding a harmful residue to the environment, particularly water, and converts it to clean energy. Super Recolhe uses this residue…
A sustainable waste disposal project has been put into practice at the Betim Unit, Brazil with environmental and social benefits for employees. The project was born from the search for new routes for the disposal of organic waste generated by the unit's restaurant and a search for an opportunity to establish a more sustainable and innovative waste disposal.
A innovative plan that was formed from a
partnership
The initiative was an example of an innovation partnership with an external waste and composting company.
Alberto Valenzuela, manager of the Betim Unit explains,“We formed a partnership with the company Minas Orgânica (Composting Plant), which collects this waste twice a week and composts it, transforming the organic waste into fertilizer, with part of it returning to the Unit. In addition to avoiding pollution, organic matter is used in a useful way and the harvest of vegetables is donated to employees. The next step is to have a vegetable garden in each of our five branches with the same purpose.”
Composting removes garabage issues with a positive outcomes
With
composting, several problems caused by the accumulation of garbage are avoided.
Among them are the reduction of the bad smell in the dumps, the amount of
garbage sent to the landfill and, the prevention of the proliferation of animal
vectors of diseases such as rats, cockroaches and flies.
Composting also allows for the production of nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for use in gardens and this initiative has raised the awareness of employees about the potential use of organic waste as part of sustainable thinking.
Cristiano
Pereira, Environmental Health and Safety Technician of the Betim Unit, adds
that, by disposing of organic fertilizer through the composting process, the
Company complies with environmental legislation in accordance with Brazilian
Law No. 12305/2010, promoting quality to the environment and generating wealth
in a sustainable way, “The project brings social, environmental and health
benefits to the unit. The initiative is a great opportunity to transform waste
into a benefit for employees. If it is developed with a local partner it is
possible to be applied in other Business Units of the Company”, comments
Cristiano.
A commitment to sustainability at the Betim unit
The initiative has been well received as part of the continued drive towards sustainability goals as stated by Fernanda Gomes, Sustainability Specialist and also Priscila Maziero, Head of Sustainability at Supergasbras, “The Betim unit's initiative reinforces our commitment to sustainability once again. Congratulations to everyone at the base for doing more, in different ways and in line with our purpose ‘Courage to care for generations to come.”
}