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ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY |
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Packages is committed to the environment. We
realize that we live
in a world where resources are finite and the
eco-system has a limited capacity to absorb the
load mankind is placing on it. That is why we
make every effort to make sustainable
development a reality.
The numerous
projects and plants implemented in and around
our site bear ample testimony to our dedication.
Some of our objectives are to increase recycling
rates, improve effluent and waste management,
and reduce water loss. These and other
environmental concerns are exemplified in our
environmental policy, which every employee is
expected to uphold and implement.
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Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S)
Policy |
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Recycling Paper
Packages has the capability of producing
100% recycled paper. Various grades of paper and
board (shipping, cartons, newsprint, magazines,
imported waste paper) are collected and then
shredded. This is fed to a huge mixer where a
controlled percentage of virgin pulp and used
paper are mixed together to produce material for
recycled paper.
Effluent and Waste Management
Discharged water from the paper and board
mill goes to a septic tank where heavy,
insoluble material settles down and is
constantly scooped out. Specialized cleaning
equipment removes the residual sludge and
suspended particles. The suspended solids are
separated and treated on sludge de-watering
equipment and thickened for disposal.
The introduction of the new method of using
wheat straw as a raw material was a bold step
partly aimed at reducing the chemical load of
the effluent. An even bolder step was taken with
the import of Chemical Recovery Plant in 1997.
Black liquor, which poses severe difficulties in
the effluent treatment system in any pulp mill,
is concentrated in this plant to 58% solids and
then incinerated in a waste heat boiler, where
organic impurities are destroyed and the steam
generated is utilized for evaporating the
incoming liquor. The ash, containing inorganic
compounds, is dissolved in water to recover any
available chemicals.
Water Management
This is a recent part of the green
policy adopted by Packages. It includes
reduction of the usage of water in all stages of
its processes. Better water management has led
to better utilization of water and other raw
inputs.
At 300 tonnes per tonne of pulp produced, the
quantity of water itself poses serious problems
of extraction and disposal. To reduce it, a
dissolved air flocculation system and special
filters have been added to different streams of
reusable water and wherever possible, fresh
water in various processes has gradually been
replaced with this water.
Independent Energy House
Packages is self-sufficient in its power
generation capabilities with an installed
capacity of 26MW. A local boiler meets the
company's steam demands.
Results
These efforts were streamlined in 1997
through the formation of a committee of internal
experts to look regularly into issues concerning
environment, health and safety. The committee is
currently involved in the management of fresh
water use, effluent management, control on air
emissions, energy conservation and maintenance
of health and safety standards in the company.
It uses guidelines provided by the National
Environment
Quality Standards (NEQS) as a benchmark, even
modifying processes to conform to its
objectives.
As a result of combined efforts, the quantity of
water used, as well as its BOD and COD has been
reduced significantly. Steam consumption and
heat energy consumption in 2003 have both shown
a reduction of over 16% each compared to 1999.
The electricity use in the same period has gone
down by an impressive 25%.
These activities have acquired such importance
for the company that out of US$ 100 million
spent on new processes and technology in the
last few years, 20% were spent on environmental
issues alone.
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