Ternium Argentina received a distinction for being one of the 10 institutions that donated the most recyclable materials, during 2021. Last year, around 200 tons of paper and cardboard originating from the Canning and Haedo plants were delivered to the Reciclado y Medio Ambiente system of the Garrahan Foundation.
Garrahan Foundation’s truck removes the recyclable materials from the Canning Plant.
Belén Monardo Environment Engineer points this out about the project: “The work performed daily to separate, prepare, and organize the paper and cardboard so that the company which works with the foundation can take them on their trucks is very valuable”. The dynamic picked up the pace in the hands of the local government of the two southern plants. Néstor Céliz, Coordinating Supervisor of the local government in Haedo, comments: “We have placed various checkpoints with identifiable trash bins to collect paper, cardboard, and also caps and bottles”.
In addition, a warehouse was built in Canning to house the type of material which was consumed the most during production: the core of the coils. “It is a very hard and compact cardboard which approximately represents 98% of what we donate”. These “cardboard sleeves” (as they are known) are concentrated primarily in the Customizations sector, where corrugated sheets for ceilings and profiles are completed.
More recycled by 2022
This year, the donation scheme continues, and we estimate a volume greater than in 2021. “Twice a week we take out rafts which range from 4 to 7 tons of cardboard. We are surely going to surpass 200 tons”, claims Monardo. Lastly, he reflects on the positive impact which is generated within the manufacturing sector: “It creates awareness and helps people feel part of it and to see with their own eyes the benefits that are obtained from separating that which is no longer used”.
Additionally, he anticipates the possibility of this sustainable initiative extending to the other Plants: “Next, we will create the conditions so that the other plants can add their own contribution”, he concludes. And Céliz adds: “I believe that we have to be involved with the environment in the same way in which we are with security. Afterward, the pride felt by collaborating and the pleasure of knowing everything is going to be reused is enormous”.
The core of the coils, made with very hard and compact cardboard, represents 98% of the donated material.
The Garrahan Foundation program
This initiative promotes the collection of different types of materials for recycling, which favors the reduction of the consumption of natural resources. At the same time, the capital generated is set apart for the purchase and repairing of high complexity equipment for the Garrahan Hospital, the acquisition of consumables, the capacitation of the medical staff, the provision of oxygen, the travel expenses of patients, and the financing of other programs.