PAHAL, a plastic bag elimination program: An initiative by BALCO

Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO), a global leader in aluminium, has been endorsing sustainable development since its inception. This has been counted as one more unyielding step in this direction; BALCO has recently launched PAHAL, a plastic bag elimination program in its township amongst its employees and business partners.

The company stated: “BALCO is one of the first organizations in Chhattisgarh to introduce plastic elimination program, which was taken up in association with Chamber of Commerce, Balconagar.”

Environment-friendly bags were distributed among the residents as part of the drive and township residents are encouraged to use those in place of single-use plastic bags.

Speaking about the initiative, Abhijit Pati, CEO & Director – BALCO, said, “‘Pahal’ is a step towards apprising our communities of the ill-effects of plastic and making everyone a part of the solution. Our ethos of ‘Zero Harm, Zero Waste and Zero Discharge’ continues to guide our environmental and social performance. Effective management of resources, safety and environmental sustainability are pivotal to how we operate and produce aluminium – the green metal for a greener tomorrow.”

BALCO plant is operating with minimum workforce and limited resources, adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines issued by the central and state authorities.

The Aluminium company has deployed its resources to utilize preventive measures for its employees, business associates and communities at large in, around and far beyond its plant area. BALCO has also rolled out several technology-driven safety initiatives like the implementation of BALCO safety mobile application which is a great tool for real-time monitoring of safety performance and implementation of appropriate measures at the site, basis data-driven analytics.

BALCO has also been proactive in executing all the preventive measures to fight the pandemic and ensuring the safety of the workforce. It is the first organization in Chhattisgarh to have a pre-medical and periodic medical examination of all the employees as well as business partners in BALCO hospital as per the statutory requirements.

In its commitment towards zero harm, zero waste and zero discharge, BALCO controls ambient air quality using top-of-the-line technologies like Fume Treatment Plant (FTP). Fly ash disposal from its power plant to the ash dykes are disposed of through advanced High Concentration Slurry Disposal (HCSD) systems. The same fly ash is then utilized 100% to make bricks and for road construction.

The company has set up a scientific Solid & Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) centre in its township to convert organic waste into compost. As part of its commitment to increase green cover in and around the plant site, BALCO has planted more than 5.5 lakh trees. The organisation has also been successful in recycling 100% water in its smelter operations.