Environmental Responsibility

PROTECTING OUR GENERATIONS

The technologies used by El Safwa Plastic for plastic raw materials are represented by team members who are focused on keeping the environment safe. We are committed to meeting the needs of the present in a way that does not jeopardize the needs of the future, with environmentally sustainable practices that provide a better future for generations to come.

Therefore, El Safwa Plastic is committed to achieving sustainable business model by eliminating waste and promoting alternative energy sources all along the supply chain, while building a safe and secure future for our associates and our community — locally and globally.

Recycling is an important growing field in Egypt. And we always coincide it as a positive solution to our plastic problem, the impact of recycling is moving far beyond the trash bin. Plastic is a big source of energy waste on the environment, and recycling contributes to that impact in a very important way.

Plastic is made from petroleum, and every piece of plastic removes from the petroleum reserves. About 8-10% of the world’s total oil supply is used to make plastic. And of that, it is estimated that 56 million barrels of oil are used for making plastic bags worldwide.

The total annual weight of plastic waste is about 30 million tons with only 8% being recycled. In most cases, once recycling is trucked to the collection facilities it is then prepared to be reprocessed. And yes recycling does turn used plastic into new, the energy used in that process will add to our carbon footprint.

The Recycling Challenge

Plastic items have to be recycled with like plastic numbers. A tray labelled No. 1 (polymer: PET) can’t be recycled in the same group as a bottle labelled No. 1 because they melt at different temperatures. This increases the price to collect and sort the plastic. For this reason, many cities limit the amount of plastics they take in.
Prices for recycled materials have plummeted due to lower oil prices. Due to the cost/benefit analysis on the production of plastic, it is often less expensive to make new plastics vs recycle. This has lead many facilities to dump plastic in landfills vs properly recycling.

Every single piece of plastic ever created is still somewhere on our planet. Becoming a mindful consumer and buying less plastic is a great first step. Purchasing reusable items such as glass water bottles, stainless steel containers, and reusable cotton shopping bags keep single-use plastics out of landfills and the recycling centre.

Stop wasting energy the plastic way. To get involved in going plastic free this July, head over to this site and sign the pledge. To learn more check out our resources page full of book, films, and articles.

El Safwa Plastic Environmental Policy

El Safwa Plastic Environmental Policy, established a goal of zero waste for all our departments. Our goal is the elimination, rather than reduction, of all solid waste, hazardous wastes, and emissions. This policy guides environmental decision-making and calls for preferring all other means of disposal before using the landfill. To date, the company diverts 99% of all of the company’s waste away from landfills and to places where it could be re-used or recycled. In addition, we actively seek and use alternative energy to power our manufacturing plants, such as methane gas produced by local landfills.

Our environmental policy is reviewed with associates and posted in all locations Cross-functional teams at each location are empowered to implement ways to reduce consumption and increase reuse and recycling of resources.

Associates are educated and trained in courses ranging from 4 hours to 4 days in length. A computerized system collects and tracks our environmental data. This data is analyzed and reviewed quarterly by management.

Carbon Negative Footprint

El Safwa Trade Company has been working with the global carbon negative status by following Leonardo Academy guidelines through their Cleaner and Greener® Program.

This “carbon negative” effort means we capture and offset more carbon dioxide than our global operations. In fact, We have achieved this through a combination of deliberate and rigorous business practice.

SOURCING POLYMERS IS AN ENVIRONMENT
CHALLENGE.