Monday, 24 February 2014 00:00
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An ever-growing issue
Since the days we remember, waste has always been a part of our lives which we have always neglected or didn’t take any notice of. But years passed by and the effects of waste and its impact has now begun to haunt entire mankind. Our livelihoods have been disturbed and directly posing a serious threat to lives. Of course it is only recently understood that waste is an ever-growing issue, a key contributor to CO2 emission which causes modern day issues such as global warming the ultimate cause of universal changes. It affects air, water and soil quality and needs environmentally sound solutions. Environmental destruction is already happening ahead of schedule. Leading scientists and governments tell us that we have a rapidly diminishing window of opportunity to reverse the damage caused since we think that environment is someone else’s problem and governments must take care of waste.
In a country like Sri Lanka where lack of enforcement and lack of technology prevails, industrial wastes piles generated during the processes of industries are getting added directly or indirectly to the municipal solid wastes. Since most of industrial wastes are hazardous, amount of health and safety and environmental issues created are enormous.
Geocycle Sri Lanka with a sustainable solution
In this context, Geocycle the waste management arm of Holcim (Lanka) Limited, commenced its operations in year 2003, providing a peace of mind status to industrial community in Sri Lanka. These solutions are sustainable and leave no future environmental liabilities. More importantly, Geocycle is the one and only entity in Sri Lanka that has capacity and capability to offer environmental responsible waste management solutions to dispose hazardous waste, through a technology called ‘Co-processing’.
Waste go high-tech
Co-processing is a technology used for thermal destruction of hazardous wastes. It is a combination of two processes undertaken simultaneously without compromising the efficiency of either process. Co-processing meets all regulatory technical standards and is globally adopted for management of wastes that is difficult to destroy. It also is superior to land filling and incineration, as it offers a complete solution with no residue.
Co-processing has been practiced with positive results by the USA, Japan and the EU countries for the past 30 years. It is also recognised by several international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the GTZ, Basel Convention, Stockholm Convention, etc. Locally it has been approved and is encouraged by the Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and the Provincial Environmental Authority of the NW province.
Go-ahead with governance
Geocycle works closely with all government authorities to ensure that all waste handled and its complete disposal is fully covered under the provisions of the current National Environmental Protection Act. Geocycle also has contributed to the development of co-processing guidelines for Sri Lanka. We have all the required permits to handle procedures from collection to transport, storage, pre-processing and co-processing of scheduled wastes. Geocycle certifies for integrated management standards that comprises of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. Also the analytical laboratory of Geocycle is accredited for ISO 17025 by Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for analytical testing.
Modern contribution
Geocycle manages waste streams in a sustainable way, enabling industries to grow without environmental liabilities, evading pressure from authorities, pressure groups and communities. Collection, transportation, pre-processing and final disposal are the services offered by Geocycle. Also analytical laboratory of Geocycle offers accurate and reliable analytical testing for waste and waste derived fuels. Waste audits and waste consultation are some other value additions a customer could get from Geocycle.
Despite the fact that industries are different, it is sure that certain amount waste generated thus, responsible waste management can make the difference.
The shift
Eleven years of evolution and active existence of Geocycle has brought an oasis of freshness for our environment which once was on a highway for rapid and unprecedented disaster. Not only that, Geocycle has launched a loud yet peaceful propaganda in order to be truly responsible for waste. Recent changes in both governmental and nongovernmental approach on waste management prove that waste is here to stay and is a major socio-environmental crisis. In turn waste and its management has become focal point in many local and international addresses and no longer a matter of the backyard.
With the intervention of Geocycle, it has not only become a main stream subject but it has a proven to be a sustainable business model by creating employment, being part of the economic wellbeing of the country. Waste once ended up in the virgin environment now goes through a perfected disposal process while adding up value and making a paradigm shift.
