MINISTER OF THE Environment and Drainage, Dr Denis Lowe, has hailed the corporate greening programme implemented by his Ministry at its Warrens Tower II site as a success.
In his address at the launch of the Enviro Waste Expo (formerly the 4 R’s Fair) at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre last Friday, Dr Lowe, said the project had been “whole heartedly embraced by all tenants”. He added that the greening initiatives being undertaken were not only about the financial bottom line, but a greater social motivation to “go green”.
“Greening an economy is not just about Gross Domestic Profit or deficits; it’s really about taking on board the kind of lifestyle choices that allow us to live, ….where at the same time we work to protect our environment. How well we treat our environment will be reflected in how you live in your society,” he maintained.
According to waste management coordinator at the Project Management Coordination Unit, Thora Lorde, the project was “going fantastically”.
“We are trying to get into other big buildings…to get them on board. We just wanted to lead by example and then tackle other businesses. I would love to see at least 50 per cent of all business and 100 per cent of all government agencies involved in recycling,” she stated.
Lorde pointed out that the benefits of recycling were substantial. “The more we take stuff out of the landfill the longer it lasts…and when you recycle you reuse the resource, you don’t destroy it; you get something new from something old.
“You can go to the various recyclers across the island, hand in your recycling and get money, and that is the encouragement for a lot of people,” she explained.
The initiative encourages staff members of offices in Warrens Tower II to bring recyclable items from home for weekly collection. So far, the Barbados Drug Service, Barbados Postal Service, Electoral Boundaries Commission and the Project Management Coordination Unit had signed on to the greening programme.(BGIS)
