By Anthony Nwachukwu
Nigeria’s giant seaport terminal, APM Terminals Apapa, says it is going green and has begun recycling its discarded tyres into flip-flops in order to reduce waste and preserve the environment.
In a statement, the terminal, which recently celebrated Go Green in line with the global APM Terminals, said the terminal saves a minimum of 7.5kg of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) emissions per pair with the production of the flip-flops, thereby helping to reduce waste and combat climate change.
The Go Green campaign, with the theme, “Nothing Goes to Waste,” aims to draw attention to sustainable business practices with regards to the environment and how to minimise the impact of business operations on the environment.
The Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, said the terminal was partnering various environmental organisations licensed by the government in producing the flip flops, noting: “We are all about continuous improvement and always on the lookout for ways we can sustainably repurpose our waste into other useful materials.
“We are in partnership with various environmental organisations licensed by the government. Over the years, we have taken calculated steps to not only reduce our plastic footprint on the environment but also reduce other forms of waste such as discarded boilersuits and lubricants.
“Recently, we have, in collaboration with one of our environmental partners, begun the production of flip flops from discarded tyres. Each eco-friendly pair of flip-flops is crafted from 70 per cent recycled tyres sourced from our truck and crane equipment used to handle cargo operations at our terminal.
“With the production of these flip-flops, the terminal saves a minimum of 7.5kg of CO₂ emissions per pair, helping to reduce waste and combat climate change.”
As part of the campaign, the terminal also held an awareness session for its employees on the importance of incorporating sustainable business practices in the terminal’s operations. The HSE Manager, APM Terminals Apapa, Felix Chinwe Ugwuagbo, explained that “there are so many things the terminal is already doing to reduce waste.
“However, we want to encourage our employees to not only come up with ideas on what we can do to reduce waste but to also think of what they can do as individuals to reduce waste. This requires a collaborative effort from society. Recycling waste is not limited to plastic waste, it can be extended to other forms of waste.”
For the Head of Environmental Management System (EMS) Consultancy & Services, Kevron Consulting, Dare Ayodele, waste management is good for the environment as it is for business and our communities. Likewise, “going green isn’t just about protecting our environment, it’s also about efficient resource usage.
“Traditional waste management strains resources and pollutes our oceans. Innovative waste management solutions ensure that nothing goes to waste. They not only save costs but also showcase our commitment to environmental responsibility, attracting environmentally-conscious consumers and investors.”
