A positive impact on the environment
Impact Fertilisers was awarded a prestigious national environmental award at a fertilizer industry function in Canberra recently for its work to significantly reduce the risk of pollution entering the Derwent River.
The company has worked closely with State and Local Governments and local industry to establish a new system that reduces the risk of nutrient-rich storm water entering the river from its single superphosphate plant.
The new water recycling system captures rainwater and cooling water from the factory in a securely lined retention pond. This water is then reused in the manufacturing process.
The 2004 Fertilizer Industry ‘Eucalyptus’ Environmental Award was presented to David Ford, CEO of Impact Fertilisers by Ian Carruthers, First Assistant Secretary of the Australian Greenhouse Office with the Department of Environment and Heritage.
The Eucalyptus Award is one of four environmental awards presented annually by the Fertilizer Industry Federation of Australia (FIFA) to acknowledge and promote eco-efficiency excellence within the fertilizer industry. The awards were established under an Eco-efficiency Agreement with the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage.
Impact Fertilisers is also one of the first companies in Australia to achieve Fertcare accreditation.
Fertcare is a national training and accreditation program designed to ensure that farmers receive consistent and quality advice about fertilizer handling and use.
The program was developed by FIFA and the Australian Fertiliser Services Association (AFSA). It also has the support of the National Landcare Program and Natural Heritage Trust, including funding for the development and promotion of the project.
David Ford, CEO of Impact Fertilisers, was enthusiastic in his acceptance of the Eucalyptus Award, adding that the water recycling project had led to a greatly reduced risk of any discharge to the river and reduced water use at the site by 46%.
Nick Drew, Executive Manager for FIFA, congratulated Impact on the award win.
Mr Drew said the fertilizer industry as a whole could be proud of its proactive, positive approach to environmental excellence and eco-efficiency.
“The awards celebrate the efforts of companies like Impact Fertilisers, which spend a great deal of resources on improving environmental outcomes,” he said.
Three other Fertilizer Industry Environmental Awards were presented as part of the FIFA annual general meeting in Canberra.
The 2004 Fertilizer Industry Platypus Environmental Award went to CSBP Limited.
The Western Australian based fertilizer manufacturer, importer and distributor won the Platypus Award for ongoing research into best practice fertilizer use, as well as communication of best practice management strategies, particularly regarding product type and quantity, and the method and timing of application.
Mr Drew congratulated CSBP Limited for actively communicating the benefits of improved nutrient management to farmers in terms of potential increases in profits per hectare, describing the company’s work as “eco-efficiency in action”.
Fertspread took home the Fertilizer Industry Kookaburra Environmental Award for 2004 for its enthusiastic adoption and promotion of the fertilizer industry’s Fertcare and Accu-Spread programs.
Fertspread is one of the first companies in Australia to achieve Fertcare accreditation and has been heavily involved in its promotion within the industry.
The 2004 Fertilizer Industry Snapper Environmental Award went to Garry Kuhn from Incitec Pivot Limited.
The Snapper Award is an individual honour, awarded to Mr Kuhn for his unwavering commitment to best practice fertilizer use and considerable contributions to fertilizer industry eco-efficiency strategies, such as the Eco-efficiency Agreement and the National Cadmium Management Strategy. Mr Kuhn has also made a significant contribution to the implementation and reporting of the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
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Impact Fertilisers won the Fertilizer Industry Eucalyptus Environmental Award for 2004. Ian Carruthers, First Assistant Secretary of the Australian Greenhouse Office with the Department of the Environment and Heritage presented the award to David Ford, CEO of Impact Fertilisers.
CONTACTS:
David Ford
Impact Fertilisers
0409 382 583
Kathryn Loader
Jenny Gilbert Communications
03 9878 1255
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