FFS REFINERS CAPE TOWN WINS ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AWARD FOR 2003

The bulk of used lubricating oil recovery in South Africa is overseen by the ROSE Foundation, a non profit organisation set up in 1994 by the main suppliers of lubricating oils in South Africa. Most of this oil is sold to waste oil recyclers, the largest of which is FFS Refiners. The ROSE Foundation, on an annual basis audits FFS Refiners Durban, Chloorkop, Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg with the purpose of ascertaining environmental compliance, responsible management as well as continuous improvement within each plant.

The ROSE Foundation decided in conjunction with FFS Refiners' top management to sponsor an award to the branch which has achieved the best audit results and which has shown significant continuous improvement. In order to identify which branch should receive the annual environmental compliance award the following aspects were looked at:

1) Previous audit NCRs
2) Number of completed NCRs from previous year's audit
3) Number of NCRs in progress from previous year's audit
4) New NCRs from current year's audit
5) Overall management and improvement of the branch

Based on the results of aspects 1-4 above, it was a close contest between Cape Town and Chloorkop and as such the last category of continuous improvement was the deciding factor along with responsible management of each branch. Continuous improvement reports of each branch were used to decide the ultimate winner between Chlookop and Cape Town.

Chloorkop had made 5 improvements on their plant, whilst Cape Town made 8. Cape Town made a number of substantial environmental improvements namely: Modifications to Flare (Defuser and other modifications to make more efficient); modifications to the HT Still regarding sludge dropout to neutralize odours; operational procedures for Effluent Plant, Power failure, Waste Oil treatment, Malfunctions, Flare and HT Still have been developed; fitted condensers on W Tanks, Tank C & D to reduce emissions. Due consideration was also given to each site’s general housekeeping and enthusiasm to be environmentally compliant.

Cape Town was given the honour of the “Environmental Compliance Award 2003”. Well done to Cape Town keep up the good work!