ART and the Environment

At ART we endeavour to attain a deeper understanding of our impact on the environment.  Addressing sustainability issues and incorporating solutions through all the levels of our business is a critical component of our work ethic.  ART adheres to very high standards of environmental management in all of its operations via both prudent and certified management systems as well as extensive recycling operations which have become an important part of the business.

• At the core of Mutare Board and Paper Mills’ newsprint operation is the reforestation programme.  This division owns 5,000 hectares of forests, whose tree growing programme is carefully planned to ensure sustainable supply of raw material for the board and paper production processes as well as preservation of the environment.  For every tree cut, another is grown.  The operation takes pride in ensuring this by planning the fast growing exotic pine tree.  Verification of MBPM being an eco-conscious board and paper producer comes in that all ground-wood sections in its newsprint production are fully mechanical and completely chemical free.

The ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Africert certification awards achieved by Mutare Board & Paper Mills to date are a demonstration that the company maintains consistently high quality standards in its systems and processes.

 

• The plant at Kadoma Paper Mills produces board and tissue paper through the same environmentally friendly production processes.  Downstream from the paper mills, Fleximail and Softex convert the raw paper products into consumer-size finished goods.  The production processes’ off-cuts are then forwarded to National Waste Collections (NWC) for recycling back into the board and paper production systems.  This is consistent with ART’s recycling policy.

Equipped with ISO 9001 and 14001 certification Kadoma Paper Mills values a safe and clean environment, while maintaining high quality standards. Kadoma Paper Mills products have proved to be competitive on both the local and export market.

• Through National Waste Collections, we ensure not only reclamation of paper waste, but we also take steps to clean up the environment.

• Eversharp, which provides complementary products in writing instruments collects for recycling, used plastic pen barrels through promotional activities in schools.  Eversharp is ISO 9001: 2000 certified and ISO 14001:2004. This certification is a mark of confidence that assures our customers that all requirements will be met and that product performance will always exceed expectations.

• Fleximail products are manufactured through environmentally friendly processes.  The organisation has a sound Environmental Management System that is ISO 14001 certified since 2006.  Efforts are underway to achieving OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) certification.

• Chloride and Battery Express add a measure of diversity to the business through the production and distribution of automotive batteries.  Once these products have exhausted their usefulness, they are collected and the contents, consisting of the environmentally toxic lead plates, concentrated acid and the outer plastic cases are recycled in the production of new batteries.

All operations subscribe to the Group’s SHEQ Policy Document.  The Group operates a Safety Audit Programme conducted by professional independent third parties.