On Sunday, February 13, a group of green volunteers of Ternium made up of more than 140 people, led the first environmental seminar for planting native trees to the surrounding areas of TIC Palmar de Varela, Atlántico, planting 42 trees of native species to the surroundings of the industrial center.
“The challenge since the beginning of the project (TIC Palmar de Varela), was being able to build an industrial complex while conserving the natural area belonging to the zone. In this sense, we assume the commitment to recover and preserve that natural area that surrounds our plant, and this activity contributes to that end”, affirmed Juan Carlos Pineda, Maintenance Manager.
Ternium’s ‘I take care of my plant’ initiative
“This activity is part of an initiative which is known as ‘I take care of my plant’ and I feel proud of seeing the reception it has received. We want to contribute to oxygenating the planet starting in Palmar de Varela. This is an activity which demonstrates the commitment of the people with Ternium, with the environment, and with the community”, adds Rómulo Ramos, Operations Manager.
Eduardo Gutiérrez Elizondo, Operations and Engineering Director confirms that this activity is being performed for the first time in the facilities of the Palmar de Varela industrial center and the idea is to complete the reforestation of this area, as well as, the entrance of the plant and replicating this experience in other plants and Cedis of the company in Colombia.
This activity also seeks to promote the sense of being part of the plant, the community, and planet Earth, by contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact starting from the workplace.
Contributors and their families adopted a tree
The mission of the volunteers was to adopt a tree, become responsible for its care, and plant it.
Important benefits are created by adopting a tree:
- Having a positive impact on the flora and fauna of the area where the planting takes place.
- Improving the conservation of the planet.
- Reducing the pollution of CO2.
- Generating more oxygen.
- Conserving native species.
Preparation of the seminar #YoCuidoMiPlanta
Three weeks earlier, the Maintenance and Staff Personnel were in charge of adapting an unpopulated space in the surroundings of the plant to carry out the reforestation. The area was outlined, holes were made where the trees would be placed and an irrigation system was implemented for the care of these species, commented Yiseth Castro, Staff Supervisor.
The following trees are amongst the planted native species:
- Mango, scientific name: Mangifera indica
- Rain tree, scientific name: Samanea saman.
- Soursop, scientific name: Annona muricata.
- Neem, scientific name: Azadirachta indica
Not only was maintenance added to this mission, “It was a very important challenge for the safety team to guarantee the conditions to be able to bring our families to the plant while following all of the biosecurity protocols, which is why we had tasks focused on the safety of the visit before the seminar, we made enclosures and marked some risk zones, knowing that children and elderly adults were going to visit”, indicated Pablo Esteban Vélez, Safety, and Environment Engineer.
Ternium’s environmental pledge
“Ternium is committed to the environment and the preservation of the planet as well as its politics, which is why it supports these kinds of initiatives 100%. A reason was seeing the enthusiasm with which the volunteers participated in the activity. Now the mission is to keep track of the trees in the Environmental Time and pray for their care” affirms Alejandra Lanzziano, Environment Engineer.
Activities with a green significance: A project of reforestation and family awareness
At the end of the environmental seminar, the participating families went home with the joy of having planted a tree and knowing that this initiative helps to produce oxygen, purify the air, create fertile ground, prevent erosion, maintain rivers clean, create sanctuaries for the fauna, promote the establishment of other species and improves the ecosystem of the area.
Later on, these green volunteers will return to give an appointment in the industrial center to keep track of the adopted trees, watch their development and generate activities in benefit of their conservation.