An organisation involved in environment protection in general and disposal of refrigerants in particular, has expanded its scope to include synthetic Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.
Following the move, ‘Ozone Protection Company’ has been renamed ‘Refrigerant Recovery NZ Limited’ but the overall responsibility for the Disposal Programme remains with the Auckland based Patton Limited.
According to experts, HFC refrigerants are greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and hence their disposal is vital for protection of the environment.
Patton Chief Executive Sameer Handa said the industry should be encouraged to dispose off these gases with responsibility.
“We are proud to be involved in this programme since the Trust was established in 1993. Patton’s offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch function as collection depots. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and HFC refrigerants will harm the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere,” he said.
He said refrigerants from all over the country are decanted from cylinders at the depots into drums of one-ton capacity.
“These are stored in Auckland and shipped in containers carrying up to 12 drums to Melbourne, where the gases are destroyed by plasma-arc incineration. By-products of this process are non-toxic,” Mr Handa said.
It is understood that Patton has sent about 250,000 kilograms of refrigerants for destruction over the years.
Mr Handa, who is a director of the Trust, said that the vision was to expand the Disposal Programme to include smaller regions and contractors who do not dispose off waste refrigerants in accordance with legislation and responsible practices, as set out in the Code of Practice for industries.
“This Programme received the Environment Ministry approval (under its Product Stewardship Scheme), last year. This is a part of our commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable practices,” he said.
Patton Limited is the Sponsor of the ‘Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards since its inception three years ago. The picture shows Mr Sameer Handa speaking at the Awards Night held at the Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland on November 14, 2011.