BASF INDIA LIMITED Pune, India - September 6, 2014 - BASF and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are promoting smart management of organic waste through the use of certified compostable and biodegradable organic waste bags. At a seminar held today in Pune, India, entitled "Challenges and Solutions for Solid Waste Management", participants in an interactive dialogue session with municipal employees discussed the complexities of efficient waste management, and potential solutions for Pune.
Dr. Raman Ramachandran, Head South Asia & Chairman BASF Companies in India said, "According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board, waste going to landfill in India contains around 50% organic matter by mass, which then does not biodegrade aerobically and produces methane, a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide. Instead, when source-segregated, the organic waste can be treated in an industrial composting facility, and turned into high quality compost for agricultural use. Certified compostable bags made with BASF's ecovio® offer a more sustainable alternative for organic waste management, thereby contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, extending the lifetime of landfills, and helping to decrease the disposal costs for residual waste."
Certified compostable bags enable the hygienic collection of organic waste: they prevent liquid leaking from organic waste and keep out unpleasant odors. Additionally, as the bags are certified compostable, they can be processed immediately upon arrival at composting sites, to be quickly converted into high quality compost. This nutrient-rich compost in turn helps improve the soil quality, treat loss of arable land and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. BASF has already been involved in several projects worldwide to demonstrate the potential of composting as a feasible and effective waste management option for organic waste. In 2012, with the support of PMC, BASF launched a pilot composting project in Pune. The project was aimed at promoting composting of source-segregated organic waste in certified compostable and biodegradable organic waste bags.
Mr. Suresh Jagtap, Joint Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation said, "We have previously worked with BASF for an awareness project wherein we used ecovio® bags for organic wastes. At the end of 90 days, organic waste which was source- segregated and collected in BASF's ecovio® bags had completely biodegraded." He further elaborated, "It is our constant endeavor to reduce waste in the city as much as possible and these bags are the solution we have been seeking. Through this seminar, my colleagues have become more aware of the measures we can undertake to ensure maximum organic wastes are biodegraded. I would like to thank BASF for their efforts and hope to see a greener Pune soon."
ecovio® is made of the partially bio-based ecoflex® and PLA (polylactic acid). Like the biodegradable waste itself, the ecovio® waste bags can be completely broken down by microorganisms with the aid of enzymes. At the end of the composting process, the microorganisms can completely convert the bags into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. The bags can help reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in the regular garbage cans, contribute to protecting the environment, and also lower the disposal costs for residual waste.
About BASF India
BASF has successfully partnered India's progress for over a century, with 13 of BASF's 14 global businesses maintaining a local presence in India today. BASF in India maintains excellent performance in environment, health and safety, in line with BASF global and internationally accepted standards. On the social front, our community development activities focus on relief and rehabilitation, women's empowerment, education, and improving governance standards. BASF in India has 2,254 employees at eight production sites & sales offices and two R&D centers. In 2013, BASF registered sales of €1.02 billion to customers in India.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry - and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world's leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
For Media Contacts:
Ms. Kanchan Nabar
Phone: +91-22-66618240
E-Mail: kanchan.nabar@basf.com
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