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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

PDO to replace plastic cups with ceramic mugs

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MUSCAT: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) on Sunday announced that it will ban single-use plastics across its business as part of a wide-ranging campaign on environmental sustainability. In a phased move, the company will start by replacing plastic cups at its Mina Al Fahal (MAF) headquarters with 3,000 ceramic mugs from June, followed by bans on plastic bags, bottles, cutlery and straws.


The initiative falls under its Estidama (Sustainability) campaign which was launched in January to build a positive environmental culture across Oman by focusing on main pillars: renewable energy, efficiency, environment, energy saving and economy.


PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci made the announcement in his keynote speech at the Company’s annual PDO Day event, marking the fifth anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ official visit to PDO in 2013.


Restucci said: “Evidence of the devastating damage caused by plastic to our natural environment is growing every day. It is polluting land, waterways and oceans and having a lethal impact on wildlife and marine species as well as contaminated human water supplies.


“As one of the largest companies in Oman, PDO is responding to the challenge by rolling out a ban on single-use plastics across our organisation, a move which we hope will encourage others to follow suit and raise awareness more generally of this pressing issue.


“We are committed to protecting our environment and highlighting the need to reduce waste which harms biodiversity and threatens the beauty of this wonderful country.”


Plastic waste at PDO amounts to an average of 1.2 tonnes a month and a recent survey found that PDO staff and contractors used around 20,000 plastic cups per week, with around 30 per cent using 10 plastic bags per week and 28 per cent availing themselves of single-use plastic bottles.


The event held under the auspices of Salim bin Nassir al Oufi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, had a strong “green” theme.


A booklet titled Pathways to Sustainability was launched, showcasing the diverse environmental friendly initiatives launched by PDO, including its efforts to reduce flaring and greenhouse gas emissions, and its flagship Miraah solar plant and Nimr waterland project. — ONA


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