BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 19
By Sadraddin Agjayev - Trend:
A cooperation agreement was signed between Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC and Tamiz Shahar OJSC (Clean City), Azerbaijan's waste treatment company, Togrul Sadikhli, an international cooperation and public relations specialist at Port of Baku, told Trend.
The Baku port, which has the status of the first “green port” of the Caspian region, always focuses on environmental protection and applies innovative solutions such as restoring the ecological balance, processing waste, controlling water and air quality on ships, as well as sustainable business experience.
“Port of Baku, together with experts from the EU, has been developing a Green Port strategy for 2 years to prevent global consequences such as climate change, reducing biodiversity and ecosystems, inefficient energy consumption,” said General Director of the Port of Baku Taleh Ziyadov.
“The signed agreement will also contribute to further intensification of work in the field of environment protection,” Ziyadov noted. “The cooperation between the Ecoport of Baku and Tamiz Shahar OJSC will be based on existing international standards and best practices in the field of waste reduction and recycling.”
In turn, Sadikhli said that according to the agreement, the sorted waste collected in the Baku port will be transferred to Tamiz Shahar OJSC.
“The sorted waste mainly means organic waste, that is, waste generated in the kitchen, and inorganic waste, including used motor and hydraulic oils, as well as used liquid oils, and other waste suitable for processing,” Sadikhli added.
“The signed agreement is a successful step taken by both structures to share experience and opportunities on environmental issues,” Etibar Abbasov, chairman of the board of Tamiz Shahar OJSC, said. “Tamiz Shahar OJSC, which is involved in the reception, placement and disposal of waste, is always ready to support all effective projects in the field of waste treatment.”
According to the agreement, training on the proper management of waste will be held. The sorted waste will be transported to the Balakhani solid waste sorting plant while recycled waste - to the Balakhani industrial park.
“This agreement does not bear any economic benefits between the parties,” Togrul Sadikhli said. “It was concluded for a period of one year upon the agreement of the parties. The main goal is to provide the environment with the standards that are established in our country and at the world level. Temiz Seher company will produce certain raw materials for the use of recycling services (not disposal).”
At the same time, such educational events as master classes and lectures on various topics are held, as well as the films, contributing to the formation of elementary habits of the proper management and sorting of waste, are demonstrated within the social corporate responsibility program, which is implemented on the basis of cooperation by Port of Baku for pupils of schools located in the Alat settlement.
The formation of proper handling with waste sorting bins is envisaged at schools of the settlement.
The Baku International Sea Trade Port was awarded with the certificate of the European Sea Ports Organisation EcoPorts at the awards ceremony as part of the GreenPort Cruise and Congress conference held on October 16, 2019 in the Norwegian city of Oslo. Thus, the Baku International Sea Trade Port became the first port in the Caspian region which received the PERS certificate - EcoPorts.
There are 34 EcoPorts in Europe, including busiest ports such as Port of Rotterdam and Port of Barcelona. The Baku International Sea Trade Port has been working closely with the EU in enhancing its operational efficiency, port management, environmental and risk management. It has ISO 9001: 2015, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 certificates. It uses UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its business processes and operations.