An Environment Protector

Nelt avatar Nelt 29.03.2021.

Author: Nada Stamatović Corporate Communications Specialist, Nelt Group

Recently there have been evermore frequent discussions on the topic of air pollution in our region and the world. The first thing that comes to mind of the majority of people when contemplating air pollution is heavy smog enveloping cities and industry plants. This is the first and most evident form of air pollution, but it is not the only one. I will start this text by defining the term “air pollution” on a wider level. Air pollution in its basic definition is the release of harmful substances into the Earth’s atmosphere. It is very important to fully understand the causes, consequences and possible solutions of air pollution so that we, as individuals and as a company, can act in a responsible manner and protect our environment and the entire planet.

 

CAUSES
The causes of air pollution are numerous. When reading different literature, I tried to categorize them on the general level. I will list them all but shall focus special attention to those causes on which Nelt has an impact when performing its operations, which impact it is trying to reduce by implementing numerous initiatives.

Vehicle exhaust emissions – in the urban environment the number one pollutants are vehicle exhaust emissions producing large quantities of carbon-monoxide.

The fossil fuel power plants – during the combustion process chemicals like sulfur dioxide are released, which go directly into the atmosphere. These types of pollutants react with water molecules creating something known as acid rain. This is one of the reasons why alternative energy sources, like nuclear and solar power plants, and wind parks solutions are examined more closely. When producing the equivalent quantity of energy, they tend to release much less pollutants into the environment.

Exhaust gases from industrial plants and factories.

Construction and agricultural activities.
Natural causes – volcanoes, forest fires and dust storms are nature events which emit huge quantities of pollutants into the environment.

Household activities – it is often easier to perceive outdoor pollution as a primary hazard on a wider scale, but do not dismiss small everyday activities which also effects our health. Cleaning chemicals usually used in household, especially bleach, without adequate ventilation, are a primary source of air pollution in closed space. Smoking of tobacco in the form of cigarettes and cigars also releases toxic pollutants into the air.

 

CONSEQUENCES – ADVERSE EFFECTS
Now when we know the culprits of air pollution, we have to see what the adverse effects are. The disturbance of harmony of natural gasses which form our Earth’s atmosphere, destroys the ozone layer, which increases the rate of global warming. Can you see the problems which this could create? Primarily the factor of human health has to be taken into consideration. If the people are in danger, then other forms of wild animals and organisms are in danger too. There is also an impact on the planet and its atmosphere.

 

SOLUTIONS
Understanding of causes and effects is important in order for us to determine how to best fight pollution. We can classify solutions as follows:

– Minimizing of use of cars powered by fossil fuel
– Planning and optimization of energy consumption
– Advocating use of clean energy
– Recycling

 

NELT’S INITIATIVES FOR REDUCTION OF ADVERSE EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT

Minimizing the use of fossil fuel – Taking into account the nature of its core activities, Nelt’s greatest impact on the environment is the impact of transport – international and domestic. Optimization of routes, purchase of vehicles according to criteria of optimal load space utilization and power required to perform the job, reduces fuel consumption. In the year 2017 the project Eco Driving, in which drivers with the most economical driving stile are awarded, was implemented in Serbia, and in the year 2019 this project was implemented on other markets on which Nelt operates.

In the year 2015 in Serbia a project for implementation of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas – CNG was started, in order to test this alternative fuel in the objective of securing of cleaner, safer and more cost efficient transport. Although this is a fossil fuel, it presents the cleanest fuel of its kind. Currently in Nelt’s fleet there are 17 CNG powered vehicles – 15 for the needs of flied sales and 2 cargo carrying vehicles for delivery of goods to customers, which were introduced in the beginning of 2019. A further increase of number of these vehicles is planned, subject to securing of better infrastructure for the supply of this type of fuel.

Planning and optimization of energy consumption – Apart from transport, significant energy consumption originates from use of natural gas for heating, as well as electrical power consumption. Utilization of infrastructure, in which Nelt Group had invested € 15 million, commenced during 2018 and 2019. Namely, we are referring to “smart warehouses”, one located in the Central Distribution – Logistic Center (Serbia) and the other in Eastern Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The facilities on both locations are designed and constructed using cutting edge technology which enables optimization and reduction of energy consumption as well as monitoring of processes within the facilities.

The introduction of the SCADA system in 2015, contributed to the optimization of the use of gas, and hence the overall reduction of energy consumption. In order to additionally optimize and upgrade the processes, smart devices and sensors were over time added to the SCADA system, which contributed to the new reduction of the Company’s carbon footprint. Linking of system elements, which independently monitor interior and exterior temperature and decide when to activate certain systems, was implemented. This had an impact on energy reduction for heating, cooling and ventilation in warehouses. It has been upgraded to the level that exterior air is used, when needed, for securing of desired conditions in warehouse space. Sensors for temperature and moisture have been installed which are able to report recorded measures in the form of charts. Sending of SMS messages to responsible persons in Nelt Group in case of situations requiring urgent response is made possible. One of Nelt Group’s initiatives, applied in the aim of reduction of electric power consumption, is the introduction of LED technology lighting.

Recycling – packaging waste system management
The reduction of quantity of packaging waste which ends up in landfills and thus the reduction of quantity of CO2 emission was realized by the participation of our company in the system of operators managing packaging waste. In 2019 Nelt in partnership with the operator Sekopak secured the reuse of 2,272.714 tons of collected waste. This exceeded last year’s national recycling goals. The reduction of CO2 emission is at the level of 864,74 tons and is almost twice the amount of last year. Along with the packaging waste system management, all of us working in Nelt contribute to environment protection, from the colleagues in the warehouse, who collect and sort waste during preparation of goods for distribution to staff working in offices, who use separators placed in buildings and recycling islands positioned on certain locations in Nelt Distribution – Logistic Centers in Dobanovci, Nis, Novi Sad and Kraljevo. Waste classified in this manner, together with packaging waste generated in the warehouse work process, is collected and pressed in the eco-yard, located next to the Hall in Dobanovci.

 

CONCLUSION

I have specified the common causes, consequences and solutions for air pollution. Apart from initiatives undertaken by Nelt, we as individuals can choose to drive less toxic cars. We can choose our daily energy consumption. We can also decide to reuse old materials instead of throwing them into the environment. Air pollution can cause devastating consequences for our bodies and our planet. What is your opinion on this issue?