Our operations impact the environment both directly and indirectly, and we are dedicated to positioning ourselves as an environmentally responsible organization. Our objective is to reduce our ecological footprint across all business activities as much as possible.
We acknowledge that our business activities carry environmental risks and that our operations depend on vital resources such as energy, water, and construction materials. To lessen this impact, we aim to uphold stringent environmental standards now and in the future.
Environmental considerations are integral to our Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) management system. Our HSSE policy requires the careful use of energy and raw materials, the prevention of environmental pollution, and the promotion of ecological awareness among our employees to minimize negative effects. For many years, we have been monitoring the frequency and volume of product releases, energy and water consumption, and waste production across our operations. This data has enabled us to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to better evaluate and improve our environmental performance. Additionally, our parent company, Marquard & Bahls, conducts assessments of our overall carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to understand our contribution to climate change.
To further safeguard the environment as part of our HSSE management approach, we regularly monitor groundwater quality at our tank terminals. The results are analyzed by our team of environmental specialists to ensure compliance and to enhance our practices.
Precautions in Case of Spills in Water
Alongside our commitment to minimizing environmental impact, we prioritize prompt and effective responses to emergency situations. To ensure expert assistance during major oil spill incidents, we collaborate with Oil Spill Response Limited, a leading global authority in oil spill management. As part of our training program, we have developed customized contingency plans for various sites, including the Pelican Island Storage Terminal. These plans are complemented by hands-on training and simulated drills to ensure preparedness for potential emergencies.
Energy Consumption & Savings
Our organization relies on both direct and indirect energy sources to operate our offices, facilities, sites, and vehicles. Direct energy includes resources such as natural gas, heating oil, and fuel used for pumps, boilers, and operational vehicles. Indirect energy mainly involves electricity used for product pumping, lighting at our tank terminals, and powering computers in our global offices. Additionally, we utilize indirect energy sources like district heating and, to a lesser extent, imported steam.
The largest energy consumption occurs during pumping operations at our tank terminals. To identify opportunities for energy savings and improve efficiency, we align our local activities with our comprehensive Energy Saving Guidelines. This approach helps us find additional savings tailored to specific work environments and allows us to develop broader recommendations for energy efficiency across our operations.
Water
Water is a vital and limited resource on our planet. Although about two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered with water, only approximately 0.3 percent is suitable for human consumption, and its distribution varies across regions. Climate change and resulting droughts are intensifying the global water crisis. In many areas, especially where we operate, competition for water is fierce, making it essential for us to actively conserve natural water resources, use water efficiently, and maintain water quality.
In our organization, water is mainly used in office restrooms and at our tank terminals for cleaning tanks, conducting hydrostatic tests, and heating products. To address water consumption, we have incorporated water management strategies into the Pelican Island Storage Terminal's Energy Saving Program, recognizing water use as a critical area for improvement. We are also exploring options like rainwater harvesting for industrial purposes and implementing recycling systems for cleaning and cooling water.
Waste & Wastewater Management
We handle both industrial waste, such as metals and packaging materials, and hazardous waste, including product remnants and separator residues that require special handling and disposal. A significant portion of our hazardous waste includes contaminated water from oil-water separators and residues from tank cleaning. This waste is either processed internally or delivered to licensed contractors for proper disposal.
We classify our waste into "industrial wastewater" and "wastewater requiring monitoring." The latter contains residual materials even after treatment. To manage this, we use vacuum trucks to collect the wastewater, which is then sent to external specialized facilities for further treatment, with an emphasis on recycling whenever possible.
Our tank terminals are equipped with oil-water separators and advanced wastewater treatment systems designed to efficiently handle wastewater. Regular sampling is performed to monitor the performance of these systems and to ensure compliance with safety standards.