Haritha Angara
Haycarb PLC
“As a pioneer in the industry, through this initiative, Haycarb intends to ensure uninterrupted flow of coconut shell charcoal which is the key raw material for the activated carbon Industry. Haritha Angara attempts to minimize the carbon footprint (CFP) of Haycarb Group creating positive impact to the environment.”
INTRODUCTION
The project aims to promote closed pit charcoal manufacturing among the manufacturers, to eliminate the release of harmful gaseous emissions such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane and smoke to the environment, which are otherwise emitted during the charcoaling process due to burning of the shells in open pits. This also ensures sustainability of livelihood of hundreds of manufacturers and their dependents, since open pit charcoaling process is being prohibited by state institutions responsible for governance of charcoal manufacturing areas due to environmental concerns.Livelihood of these people were at a state of risk, thus Haritha Angara tries to provide a green and secure mode of living for such affected parties. As a pioneer in the industry, through this initiative, Haycarb intends to ensure uninterrupted flow of coconut shell charcoal which is the key raw material for the activated carbon Industry. Haritha Angara attempts to minimize the carbon footprint (CFP) of Haycarb Group creating positive impact to the environment.
FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY
Even though coconut shell based activated carbon is used for many environmental purification applications, the main raw material used for the product is not produced in an environmentally friendly manner. Therefore, Haycarb initiated a green charcoaling process through moving backward along the supply chain as this was the optimal point to start greening the entire process of manufacturing activated carbon.Initially one supplier was selected from the existing supplier base to implement the trial run and afterwards it expanded the reach. Presently 57 suppliers are operating 84 environmental friendly pits.
Haycarb provides technical awareness and assistance along with financial aid of LKR 150,000/-to 300,000/-per set of 2 pits and one chamber. Depending on capacity (3 to 5t) 25 suppliers were provided with financial assistance totaling LKR 9 million, during the phase I and the others were given technical assistance.Engineering design and regular supervision were provided to ensure the proper standards are met during the construction stage and training programs were carried-out in operating and maintenance of the system.
ACHIEVEMENT AND IMPACT
Haritha Angara was selected to assist charcoal manufacturers to sustain in the industry on which their livelihood is depended upon, by eliminating the release of harmful emissions and smoke to the environment. As a responsible corporate citizen Haycarb ensures it creates least negative impact to the environment through charcoaling process and helps to maintain an uninterrupted flow of main raw material to the activated carbon Industry.Construction of these pits immediately made major impact on the livelihood of suppliers, as the governing bodies, including Central Environment Authority (CEA) lifted the ban on the pits constructed as per the improved closed pit system designed under Haritha Angara initiative. These charcoaling systems now require an Environment Protection License (EPL) to verify its minimum impact to the environment.
With the operation of these closed pits, the harmful emissions to atmosphere were significantly reduced and notably there was a decline in the respiratory issues reported in these areas.
FUTURE DIRECTION
Haritha Angara aims to extend the initiative to provide further funding assistance to suppliers to secure their raw material sources and also to fund capital development such as construction of covered storage. As at present, these developments have reached a cumulative investment of LKR 70 million (value of zero interest loans provided to suppliers). While incorporating the annual budgetary commitment to Haycarb financials, the initiative will continue to assist suppliers and monitor operations of all existing closed pit systems through regular visits and inspection to ensure the quality of the system. In addition to systems already in operation, 10 more systems are under construction and a further 16 are planned to be implemented in the coming few months. Haritha Angara embarks on continuous improvement, thus R&D team is continuously working on improving and developing the perfected low cost closed pit charcoaling system.
Haycarb PLC is a world leading manufacturer of coconut shell based activated carbon, with global reputation for superior quality, innovation and sustainable methods of production. Haycarb is operating in the industry for over 44 years and has presence in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Europe and USA.
