Supporting and buying natural rubber from farmers in Sri Lanka is just part of the way Global Rubber Industries (Pvt) Ltd. (GRI) is focusing on sustainability in its business.
With its recently launched Green X Circle, which is a sustainable circle of collaboration and connectivity, GRI says its commitment to the environment spans from the way it develops new products, generates power, builds tires, recycles waste, and manages its water systems.
“The use of a biomass boiler instead of traditional furnace oil boilers ensures that we do not create a hazardous environment around our factory,” says Ananda Caldera, executive director of GRI. “As our production is an environmentally-friendly ‘dry’ process, there is no emission of gases or liquid disposal – this is a firm company mandate. There is also low material wastage in our production process.”
“One of our tenets of sustainability is that we take care of the water, soil and air around us. This is the ethos that guides all aspects of our operations,” says Shanaka Gunaratne, senior general manager at GRI.
The company invests in new, energy-efficient machinery for its facilities, which includes following noise and dust level compliance regulations. The GRI production plant also possesses one of the largest rooftop solar systems in Sri Lanka, with a capacity of 1,200kW and helps reduce over 1,100 Metric Tons of Carbon Emissions each year.
GRI harvests rainwater and has an efficient wastewater management system. Customers who visit GRI’s plant are encouraged to plant a tree in the premises. Tree planting efforts are also encouraged in the greater community.
Employees are regularly trained on energy management and sustainability.
“Environmentally sustainable growth is our strategic goal, both now and for generations to come,” says Mahesha Ranasoma, CEO of GRI.