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Synopsis of the Windward and Leeward Brewery Ltd
Winner of Bio-Business Award
for
Best Practices in Environmental Management
Covering - Energy Management; Waste Management; Water Management
This awardee recognizes that because of the volume of its manufacturing capability that
it can contribute greatly to polluting the environment. Producing its major good, results in several by-products which require responsible discharge into the environment. These by-products include :
Waste water
Spent grain
Spent yeast
Waste Paper (from cartons/office)
Waste plastic
Bottles
Used Oil
Water management
Water is the largest raw
material consumed. Over the past five years, this company has significantly reduced its water consumption per cubic metre of quantity of good produced. They have moved from 13.5 cubic metres of water for every cubic metre of
good produced in 1999 to 7.15 cubic metres of water for every cubic metre of good produced in 2004.
Waste Management
Waste water produced after the manufacturing process normally contains some yeast and cleaning chemicals, which untreated could
pollute the environment. There is a waste water treatment plant which uses naturally occurring bacteria and microorganisms to aerobically break down harmful components of waste water. This waste water is collected in ponds,
before treatment and save discharge into the environment as run off water.
The largest by-product after waste water is spent grain. The 3645 tonnes of spent grain
produced in 2004 was given to farmers as cattle, pig and goat feed. 1500 tonnes of spent yeast produced in 2004 were given to farmers in animal feed. This has been the practice since the commencement of operations in 1975.
Waste paper from cartons, office and cardboard materials are compressed into bails and
sold to the Windward Islands Packaging Co. Ltd which reuses this material in their manufacturing process. Since 2003, the company has also started recycling office waste paper.
In 2004, in partnership with Recycle-It, the company began recycling waste plastic (nylon
and damaged crates etc). That same year, it also began collecting used oil which is given to members of the public. By the above mentioned activities, the company ensures that all their waste is either recycled for use or
safely disposed of. The company is establishing contractual arrangements with their collaborating partners to ensure a common understanding of their obligations and responsibilities to maintaining a clean and safe environment.
Energy management
The company has recognized the need to drastically reduce its consumption of energy, fuel and electricit, especially because of
the effect of the gases released on the ozone layer when fossil fuels are burnt. Since 2003, fuel consumption has been reduced from 2414.0 MJ(megajoules)/cubic metre to 1600 MJ per cubic metre. This reduction in energy
consumption required large investments to replace old machinery with more energy efficient ones and upgrading existing systems.
Synopsis of Sandals Resorts International
Winner of Bio-Business Award
for
Private Sector Support to Environmental Management
Covering - Involvement in Environmental Management
Public Awareness/Sensitization
Financial Support to Environmental Management
This awardee runs an extensive public awareness programme to ensure maximum public awareness when it comes to environmental issues. Environmental training courses for schools are organized regularly including environmental exhibitions at
each of its properties to which schools are invited. Flyers and posters are produced on various aspects of the environment for
in-house use as well as for schools. Schools are also encouraged to visit the various environmental management aspects of the
company such as sewage plants, organic spa and the Green Houses. These activities occur especially during the celebration of major world environmentally related days such as World Environment Day celebrated on 5th June and Earth Day recognized
every 22nd April. Environmental projects such as beach clean ups are supported by involving their staff. The awardee recently
took on the planting of 1200 trees in the community of Forestierre. The company always involves the media to get its
environmental message across and to show how environmental issues should be correctly tackled. This awardee has supported the recycling company, Recycle It, since its creation.
Synopsis of Sandals Resorts International
Winner of Bio-Business Award
for
Access and Benefit Sharing from Biodiversity Management
This award seeks to recognize a business that shares with communities or the society the benefits derived from the use of
biological resources. This access and benefit sharing is one of the main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The company has an on-going relationship with farmers islandwide in the provision of agricultural produce for consumption of
its clients. Through this activity, farmers and fishers have a ready market for sale of their commodities. Local produce is
especially highlighted in the operations of the business, as once a week, the company features local Saint Lucian delicacies
based on traditional foods. The agency has given financial assistance to many schools and plays a major role in ensuring that
St. Lucia’s school population is environmentally conscious. Literature is shared with school children on important environmental
issues such as water, turtles and trees. School children are invited to environmental exhibitions at the school and to visit the
properties of the company to get a better handle on good environmental management practices. The company undertakes regular
hosting of environmental journalism awards to encourage media professionals to educate the public on conservation of the
environment. This agency also takes an active part in beautification of the local environment through clean up exercises and tree planting activities. The company plays an active part in community development.
Synopsis of Sandals Resorts International
Winner of Bio-Business Award
for
Excellence in Environmental Management
All the properties of this company have achieved Green Globe Award status for environmental stewardship. From recycling to
conservation, ecological responsiveness is a commitment of this business. The company believes that at resorts made for love, loving the environment should become their second nature and it has.
This awardee knows that the travel and tourism industry has the potential to contribute significantly to environmental
preservation, especially if there are specific efforts to monitor the impact of daily operations on the surrounding environment.
Consequently, the company is fully committed to managing all of the environmental aspects of the operations of their properties.
These include fresh water and energy use, solid waste and waste water disposal, hazardous substances, noise, greenhouse gas
emissions, land and ecosystem conservation and management and community development and cultural relations.
The entire management and staff of the company are taught to be environmentally aware and each of the properties on island
has its own environmental health and safety manager. Recognition of employees for their efforts towards preserving the
environment every month, results in the Green Member of the Month award that leads to the prestigious Green Team Member of
the Year award. A minimum of twenty four training hours is annually spent on Environment, Health and Safety topics per team
member. Special energy saving equipment – such as low-flow shower heads – is used at their properties. In addition, the
irrigation systems use treated, recycled water, saving almost two hundred (200) million litres of water every year.
Biodegradable chemicals are used wherever possible and there is a reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals by training and
controls. The awardee undertakes the composting of ninety (90) percent of its garden waste in order to reduce further the
amount of garbage created. Preservation of the beach ecosystem is one of the hallmarks of the operations of this agency and in
2004, 13 turtles nested on La Toc Beach. Clients are encouraged to preserve water, electricity and to keep St. Lucia clean by
participation in the Towel and Linen Reuse Program and environmental page in the In-house directory. The company is also
committed to ensuring that the fifty (50) farmers who supply agricultural produce, implement good agricultural practices (GAP).
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