Baddi unit undertakes carbon footprint mapping
Adopts green ways to reduce green house emissions
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan,February 8
Baddi-based Elin Appliances has undertaken voluntary carbon footprint mapping in its manufacturing plant to reduce harmful emission from various industrial processes and make operations more environment friendly.
An in-depth mapping of direct emissions from controlled sources and indirect emissions from purchased energy sources was conducted which revealed that 2,30,596 kg of carbon dioxide was emitted annually. As a major step towards reducing such emissions, 28,020 saplings have been planted by the unit management in a span of nine years. This has helped positively offset the impact of emissions by 43 per cent. Carbon emissions have been offset by 99,759 kg on an annual level, which is much higher than the emissions.
Elaborating on their green endeavours, plant head JS Kang said, “Around 28,000 saplings have been planted in the last nine years as per our ‘Go Green Campaign’ and a target for developing 10 parks has been set with five parks nearing completion. A dedicated team ensures that planted saplings attain maximum survival rate and dead plants are replaced by new saplings and this helps in achieving the desired results.”
The major challenge was to offset the impact of air conditioners (ACs) which add to the chloro fluoro carbons (CFC) which contribute maximum to the depletion of the greenhouse gases. Plantation of air purifying plants was undertaken as per the list approved by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the company premises and this led to 95 per cent of the AC facility being CFC free.
”Other measures like use of recyclable PP corrugation box, plastic pallets in place of wooden pallets for storing finished goods, replacing desktop monitors with TFT Screens and use of LEDs to conserve power usage have also been adopted,” said Kang.
To minimise carbon emissions, revolutionary energy saving projects have been undertaken like shift from motorised conveyor belts to gravity-free rolling conveyors with electricity energy saving.
To further minimise carbon emission, the company has provided free bus facility to its employees and this will helps in reducing number of individual vehicles on road.
”In a bid to encourage employees, 933.50 man hours of classroom trainings have been imparted to the staff as well as the local community to share awareness on such activities. Adopting solar energy for lighting purpose is the next agenda,” said Kang.
Such voluntary reductions in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial belt, which accounts for 79 per cent of the state’s industry, will not only help offset the adverse environmental impact of industries but also fetch brownie points in availing various environment clearances for a unit.
