GPIC backs environmental initiatives

Manama : The Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) took part in a workshop on human rights and the environment, organised by the National Institution for Human Rights at the Isa Cultural Centre.

GPIC Technical Services Manager Khaled Al-Binali presented a working paper on the role of the private sector in the promotion and protection of the environment, and spoke of GPIC’s efforts in preserving the environment and its concern in providing a suitable atmosphere for its employees and the community around the plant.

Speaking on the occasion, GPIC President Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery said the Company is eager to take care of sustainability issues, especially those related to the environment. 

He said GPIC is implementing a large number of initiatives and volunteer activities in the field of environment and its maintenance and care. 

GPIC had recently updated the lighting system at its facilities and had started using standard LED lights to save energy and increase efficiency. Over the last three years, more 1,000 units had been replaced, resulting in a saving of 285,653 kilowatt hours annually, which translated to BD6,000.

The Company has also installed several solar water heaters as part of its renewable energy project. These heaters, Dr. Jawahery said, have been working satisfactorily and produce 1,000 litres of hot water daily. The process of the water heating raises the water temperature to 40C, which saves 14,181-kilowatt hours per year and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

In 2013, GPIC set up an effluent treatment pond that handles 1,000 cubic meters of effluent, in the process reducing incidents of soil and seawater contamination. 

The Company has also implemented a special programme for recycling solid waste in all its departments and sections. This aims to collect all paper, plastic and metal waste, which is delivered to private institutions for recycling.