Our environment
In the business of extensive dry bulk supply, HBTR is alert to the potential environmental impact of her activities. That’s exactly why HBTR implements special measures to reduce dust, noise and other potential environmental impacts. A dust suppression system covers the whole storage area. Water for the system is supplied through HBTR’s own comprehensive water reclamation, storage and recycling system. If necessary, stockpiles and open areas are covered with a protective layer as a precautionary measure. To prevent spontaneous combustion, HBTR can compact the stored coal. Compacting means storage of layer by layer, where each layer will be rolled to prevent space for oxygen as much as possible.
Because we care
By caring for nature, her employees and customers’ requirements, HBTR is dedicated to maintaining her certificates on environment, safety, health, quality and security. HBTR is constantly alert to new ways of ensuring sustainability.
HBTR’s footprint is below the average in the port of Rotterdam because HBTR is not a consumer of the products she tranships. HBTR has no large factories and makes every possible effort to keep her footprint as low as possible. More information on this subject appears under the heading sustainability.
As a partner in the logistic chain, HBTR is an associated member of Better Coal. Being associated member of Better coal is a logic step. Why? Because HBTR cares! HBTR cares about the different partners along the coal supply chain. HBTR recognizes the important role coal plays worldwide within infrastructure through steel and cement manufacturing, as well as an important source of electricity for our welfare.
HBTR understands the current debate and criticism, and realize the challenges that people working in this sector face. Bettercoal’s ambition is to increase transparency and improve ethical, environmental and social performance along this chain. As a terminal, HBTR is a part of this, and therefor HBTR supports Bettercoal’s ambition.
Have a look at www.bettercoal.org for more information.
Sustainability
For HBTR, sustainability is far more than just playing an active role in biomass and in reducing her terminal’s energy usage and level of CO2 emissions. A healthy company in healthy surroundings is something HBTR takes for granted. That is why HBTR focus on sustainability, no matter the size of the project.
HBTR does this by establishing sustainable relationships with customers, suppliers, governments and local residents. HBTR’s devotion to sustainability is backed by her deep respect for relations, people, material and the environment. According to HBTR, sustainability is the best way to offer a better service. HBTR translates her support of sustainability in a variety of levels in many areas. For example, HBTR is actively developing new techniques in dust reduction. After HBTR successfully developed solutions to the dust problem, HBTR introduced dust suppression measures in her terminal. Dust released during the loading and unloading of the products can form a nuisance, but is not harmful. Unlike fine particulate matter, the dust particles at HBTR represent only a nuisance, and no threat to public health. For that reason, staff are not required to wear facemasks.
HBTR’s use of resources is another explicit example of HBTR’s forward-thinking approach to sustainability. HBTR deliberately chooses sustainable, state-of-the-art machinery and components with a long lifespan, manufactured using environmentally responsible production methods, thereby reducing the amount of resources needed, such as steel and oil, water during the production phase as well as fuel for transport. By deliberately opting to use sustainable, high-quality machines and components with a long service life, manufactured according to responsible production methods, HBTR keep’s the impact of her activities as low as possible.
A number of examples:
· Use of high-efficiency motors
· Speed-regulated transport conveyors
· Use of energy chains for the unloaders
· Introduction of LED spotlights/lighting
· Energy-efficient rubber conveyors
· Earthmoving machinery compliant with the latest emission standards
Recycling waste is another concrete example of HBTR’s efforts. Every home and every company, small or large, always produces waste. The negative impact on the environment can be limited by actively cutting down on waste. HBTR does this by recycling as much waste as possible. Using resources better means HBTR can reduce environmental pollution. HBTR has made several adjustments, resulting in more efficient use of resources, including fossil fuels and water. HBTR has achieved energy savings by actively investing in highly efficient power-driven equipment, by installing motion detectors for lighting and using sustainable lighting when building or renovating.
HBTR uses lots of water to reduce the nuisance of dust on the surroundings as much as possible. Sprinkler installations keep the area wet and all vehicles must go through the car wash before leaving the site. You need lots of water to do this. HBTR’s own comprehensive water reclamation, storage and recycling system supplies all the water HBTR needs. Rainwater at the terminal is stored separately using an own drainage system. After going through the recycling system the water gets stored in a basin so HBTR always has water available without having to use expensive drinking water. HBTR’s wastewater does not enter the public sewerage system or come in touch with ground water.
The further reduction of dust and noise levels are important elements in HBTR’s (new building) projects. One excellent example is the replacement of a large proportion of the transport conveyor system, concluded in September 2017. This led to a large reduction in the number of drive motors and other components. The new drums and rollers have had a positive effect on noise emission levels. With these new conveyors, HBTR is able to monitor the noise herself and to intervene where necessary. As well as reducing noise emissions, other improvements include energy saving, reduced dust emissions and the more sustainable use of materials. HBTR is also in a position to cut back the speed of its conveyors, depending on the volume in transit. This will have a positive effect on overall performance.
Minding the environment and at the same time running a healthy commercial organization is a challenge, but one the company gladly accepts.