APM Terminals Apapa promotes sustainable practices with recycling of tyres

APM Terminals Apapa has begun recycling its discarded tyres into flip flops to promote sustainable practices.

Recently, the terminal celebrated ‘Go Green,’ a global APM Terminals awareness campaign, with the theme ‘Nothing Goes to Waste’ to draw light on sustainable business practices to protect the environment and minimise the impact of its operations on the environment.

“We will continue to improve and always be on the lookout for ways to sustainably repurpose our waste into useful materials. We are in partnership with various environmental organisations licensed by the government,” said Steen Knudsen, terminal manager of APM Terminals.

He said the terminal has taken steps to reduce its plastic footprint on the environment and reduce other forms of waste such as discarded boilersuits and lubricants.

He said each of the eco-friendly pair of flip-flops is crafted from 70 percent recycled tyres sourced from trucks and cranes used for cargo handling operations at the terminal.

Read also: APM Terminals Apapa paves school with recycled tyres

“With the production of these flipflops, the terminal saves a minimum of 7.5KG of CO2 emissions per pair, helping to reduce waste and combat climate change,” he said.

Also, the terminal, in collaboration with Kevron Consulting Limited, a provider of Health Safety and Environmental services, held an awareness session for its employees on the importance of incorporating sustainable business practices in the terminal’s operations.

Felix Chinwe Ugwuagbo, HSE manager at APM Terminals Apapa, said it was important for the terminal to take its employees along on the journey of taking the message of sustainability and waste recycling to 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,” he added.

Dare Ayodele, head of Environmental Management System Consultancy & Services at Kevron Consulting, said waste management is good for the environment, business, and communities.

“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. It is essential that everyone develops a tailored approach, developing service-specific solutions that maximise waste reduction and ensure responsible management,” he said.