Inculcating an environmental consciousness at EBM

30 Jun, 2005

The new age corporation has devised a model of operations whereby it aims to maximize its productivity while nurturing a socially conscious environment within and outside it.
The need to raise an environmentally conscious team of managers and workers has come about as a result of the need to counter the strain of production in the internal environment of the company and the need to protect the Earth's environment in terms of pollution and waste disposal.
EBM is one of Pakistan's leading companies that have induced a socially conscious culture within its organisation. Be it a line worker or a top level executive, every individual makes his or her contribution to the development of a clean, green and healthy environment. This ethos of consciousness is systematically inclucated in each member of the thirteen hundred strong workforce EBM at its two plants in Karachi and in Hattar. The Company's values further demand that environmental consciousness spreads out from all employees to all those who come into contact with them, be it suppliers, vendors, retailers and other business partners. The significance of this can be appreciated from the Company's Mission Statement that resolves that the Company will strive to:
-- Provide High Quality Value-added food to contemporary and future generations.
-- Constantly endeavour for the acquisition of knowledge and excellence in developing human skills, product innovations and state-of-the-art technologies.
-- Be a good corporate citizen by giving back to the community and improving the lives of the underprivileged.
-- Dispense equitably, fairly and with compassion the fruits of success among the "partners in business".
-- Become a partner with the Government in sharing the responsibility of economic and social uplift & development of Pakistan.
This conscious effort has made EBM the country's leading manufacturers of biscuits and cookies, achieving an annual production of over 35, 000 metric tons. The Company is the only one in the industry to have both the ISO 9001 and HACCP certifications. Considerable effort was put into bringing all company operations up to the high environmental standards that these important international certifications require. The fact that till today no other biscuits manufacturer has equalled this achievement is in itself evidence of the effort needed to qualify for these certifications and it is also a testament of the unwavering commitment EBM has for achieving excellence.
The company has always put environment protection, safety and security on top priority in all its projects. The management is committed to deliver high quality products while recognizing that being a Responsible Corporate Citizen it must execute its business activities with respect and care for environment excellence through proactive environment management. Presently the EBM management is working for implementation of ISO 14001 and is in its final stages.
Apart from this the following projects are under implementation at the EBM premises:
A) WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT:
A Waste water treatment plant is being set up at a cost of Rs 1.5 million. The Company shall use treated water for gardening purposes and to irrigate the newly landscaped recreation area and park for children.
B) SEPARATE AREA FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT:
The Company intends to build a separate area for solid waste so that it does not harm the environment. Mostly waste shall be disposed off in a manner that is not harmful to anyone.
C) DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
With a huge budget of Rs 6 million, the Company is constructing a lush green recreational area for families and children. This will include children's play area, three water falls, landscaped gardens and two gazebos for shelter from the sun and rain.
The above steps towards a clean, greener environment clearly demonstrate the Company's commitment to protect and preserve the environment for the Company's partners in business, its employees, its customers and the community in which it does business.
Apart from these activities, the Company actively sponsors environment related workshops and seminars throughout the country and supports many such orgainzations that orgainze eco-awareness raising activities.
EBM also holds the distinction of being the only biscuit Company to receive the Environment Excellence Award 2004 in respect of its efforts of inducting a healthy environment within its premises as well as outside it.

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