APM Terminals Apapa said it had started the recycling of discarded tyres into flip-flops.
The terminal made this known in a statement on Monday.
Recall that APMT had recently celebrated Go Green, a global awareness campaign, which aims to draw light on sustainable business practices concerning the environment and how to minimise the impact of its operations on the environment.
The campaign has the theme “Nothing goes to waste”.
The APM Terminals Manager, Steen Knudsen said, “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.”
According to Knudsen, the terminal operator has over the years taken calculated steps to not only reduce the plastic footprint on the environment but also reduce other forms of waste like discarded boiler suits and lubricants.
“Recently, we have collaborated with one of our environmental partners on 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 7.5 kilogrammes of CO2 emissions per pair, helping to reduce waste and combat climate change,” he explained.
He added that 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 session, according to Knudsen, was held in collaboration with Kevron Consulting Limited, a provider of Health Safety and Environmental Services.
The HSE Manager of APMT Apapa, Felix Ugwuagbo, noted that it was important for the terminal to take its employees along on that journey, taking the message of sustainability and waste recycling to their homes and communities.
“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 alone; it can be extended to other forms of waste,” Ugwuagbo expounded.
The Head of Environmental Management System Consultancy & Services, Kevron Consulting, Dare Ayodele, described waste management as not just good for the environment but also for business and our communities.
“Going green is not just about protecting our environment, it is also about efficient resource usage. Traditional waste management strains resources and pollutes our oceans. Innovative waste management solutions ensure that nothing goes to waste,” he noted.