At EUROPEAN FOOD INTERNATIONAL we are committed to building a greener and more sustainable future.
Protecting the environment is an important and priority component of our activity, which we treat with the utmost seriousness, focusing in this respect on several key areas.
Reducing our carbon footprint
Through significant efforts and investments, in recent years we have managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 68%, an important step in our policy of protecting the environment. This reduction is due to abandoning the burning of fossil fuel in thermal power plants in favour of fuels from renewable sources (including biomass) and natural gas.
And our effort does not stop here; through everything we do, we have set out to improve on this objective.
We have acquired state-of-the-art production equipment that uses modern technologies designed to make the production process and energy consumption more efficient, as well as electric machinery for handling and transport.
Green energy
Understanding the importance of using renewable energy sources, we decided to install a photovoltaic panel system with a capacity of 1.45 MWh, aimed at maximising the use of green energy in production processes.
Packaging management and disposal of hazardous waste
Another important aspect of our environmental policy to which we pay particular attention is the management of packaging placed on the market as well as the disposal of hazardous waste.
To facilitate this process, we also enter into collaborations with specialised units, in accordance with the environmental regulations in force.
At the same time, we promote and carry out the selective collection of waste for recycling.
Preventing and combating accidental pollution
We are committed to preventing and combating accidental pollution by implementing a robust and effective Plan that helps us protect the environment.
We pursue rigorous control of all activities carried out, including manufacturing processes, services, installations and machinery, raw and auxiliary materials, as well as the working environment, integrating our environmental concerns into each element and stage.
Within the company, plans and instructions are established for identifying possible emergency situations, ensuring an appropriate and prompt response.
When using hazardous chemicals, we ensure that they are packaged, labelled and classified in accordance with the national legislation in force and the relevant European regulations. At the same time, we ensure that all hazardous waste is collected, transported and disposed of responsibly, in order to eliminate risks to human health and to the environment.
Thanks to continuous prevention activities, combined with the training and awareness of staff, no major accidents caused by hazardous chemical substances have been recorded.
Sustainable management of water resources. Wastewater pre-treatment
We have also adopted sustainable practices in managing water resources and have invested in building a high-performance pre-treatment plant.
Pre-treatment of wastewater is an essential step in ensuring a clean environment. Through the appropriate treatment of water before it is released into the ecosystem, the reduction of contamination and pollution becomes a reality.
Thus, technological wastewater from production activity and domestic wastewater are collected through the separate sewage system and directed to the Wastewater pre-treatment plant, where they are treated through a mechanical-chemical process in order to meet the requirements of the NTPA 002 Standard regarding the quality indicators of the discharged wastewater.
The technological treatment process involves a series of stages, from homogenisation, filtration, flocculation and neutralisation. All these operations are carried out in an automated system, optimised to the highest standards. The metering system for the discharged wastewater is a state-of-the-art one (ultrasonic meters) in order to monitor the volume of discharged water as precisely as possible.
Another aspect that we take into account and to which we pay increased attention is keeping the consumption of technological and domestic water as low as possible, in order to have the smallest possible volume of wastewater, because we are aware that water resources are limited.
Environmental management
We manage a Permit management programme, part of the Environmental Management System.
Good practices in the workplace
We adopt sustainable practices in the field of investment, facilitating the integration of best practices in the workplace, in accordance with European standards.
These practices allow funds to be allocated for essential investments in the safety of installations and the resolution of environmental issues in accordance with the regulations in force.
Within the company, plans and instructions are established for identifying possible emergency situations, ensuring an appropriate and prompt response. The company keeps the maintenance records needed to track the schedule of overhauls and repairs of machinery and installations.
The employed staff are trained to comply with environmental obligations, especially with regard to the selective collection of waste and the prevention of its generation.
