Since 2020, our company has implemented the intra-corporate eco-initiative “METAMORPHOSIS”, with strong commitment. The current state of consumer society and the wide use of disposable products, in impoverished but also in wealthy countries from around the world, has converted useful plastic into a toxic substance.
Unsustainable practices such as poor handling of single-use plastic products and indiscriminate disposal of plastic packaging has had an adverse effect on the environment, as part of this waste ends up floating in the sea or pollutes nature at large. This nullifies the benefit of using plastic in personal hygiene products, food safety, drinking water transport, irrigation systems, telecommunications cable transport, electricity transport, various other household products, etc. In terms of hygiene, the usefulness of plastic has recently been proven through its use for the creation of protective medical equipment which protects our nurses and doctors against COVID-19.
Our company, a pioneer in the plastics industry which was founded in 1959 in Cyprus, began its transformation by inaugurating the new era of environmental protection with large capital investments in green growth. These concern:
1. Photovoltaic energy production facilities to meet our energy needs. We produce 650kWh per month covering 30% of our total energy needs, while we plan to reach 50% by the end of 2022.
2. A plastic waste recycling unit and regenerated raw material production. In 2020, we covered 10% of our production with recycled materials, while in 2021 this percentage is expected to double. Our goal for the coming years is to reach 0 carbon footprint in the environment by recycling as much as we use, where this is permitted under European legislation. For example, European law does not permit the use of recycled raw materials to produce water pressure hoses, any food contact materials, etc.
3. New plastic bag production technology with raw materials deriving from potato starch, cane, milk residue, etc. These types of raw materials decompose within a few weeks’ time. Unfortunately, however, they are not completely synchronised with the decomposition of organic waste and are also 3 times more expensive than other raw materials, which is why they are not widely used. We are, however, fully prepared to produce the new eco-friendly products when the market allows for it.
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