IMG GROUP LAUNCHES RECYCLING PROGRAM IN MEXICO,
CONTRIBUTING TO ENDING PLASTICS WASTE
The IMG Group is aware of PET's important role in various industries that affect our everyday life. Amongst other functionalities, PET has unique and irreplaceable characteristics to protect and package food, directly contributing to reducing food waste and hence delivering a huge positive environmental impact on our environment. TheCOVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on PET's crucial role in hygiene and safety in the food and medical industries, proving this material is irreplaceable. Since the IMG Groups foundation, their main purpose has always been to focus on a circular economy for PET. Their vision focuses on providing innovative and sustainable products, that meet not only human needs but environmental needs as well.
The Portuguese-based group, is steadily advancing on the road to circular economy transition, deploying ambitious programs and investing on the improvement of their products. In order to guarantee their success, the group collaborates and partners with governments, industry associations and local communities, supporting each other in a common commitment of achieving circularity. They believe that through collaboration they will drive change at scale.
The group's aim is to reduce waste and foster PET recycling not onty at their industrial sites, but in all the communities where they operate. They believe in encouraging their local communities to care for the environmentby collecting, separating and recycling all materials possible, focusing on the most widely recycled material - PET. By sensitizing society on the benefits gained from recovering materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, the group motivates society to join them in their common goal.
ECO-BRICK PROJECT - COSTA ALEGRE, MEXICO
The IMG group has a partnership with the Sol Pacífico Foundation, with whom they have associated in several initiatives linked to recycling and education. In this case, they foster eco-brick construction as a sustainable project. Eco-bricks, made using PET bottles filled with non-recyclable materials, become the building blocks of ecological building structures with the following benefits:
Reduction in environmental pollution and emissions as waste is reused
Material for insulation purposes
High durability
Easy to store and transport
Simple and low-cost technique
They embarked on this project in the Costa Alegre area of the Mexican Pacific Coast. Although they target the involvemnent of the whole community, they focus on programs at the local schools, as they believe that the younger generations are the future for a greener planet. Through class-room presentations, the foundation highlights the positive impact that this ecological construction delivers and teaches students how to make their own eco-bricks —something that can then be replicated at home and throughout the community. With this knowledge, a fun and educational activity was created whereby students participated in the construction of benches and other elements for the improvement of their school facilities.
As an additional incentive eco-bricks can be cashed as vouchers to be used in local supermarkets (5 eco bricks = 20USD). The first collection of Eco-Bricks was a huge success, with the following results:
More than 14 communities and 128 families participated
1,725 eco-bricks were recollected
8,000 USD in vouchers for supermarkets were distributed to the families who participated - a huge relief in COVID times
110,350 m2 of waste was recycled
More than 110,350 m2 of constructions will be built
The first collection of eco-bricks will be used for the construction of bus stops. Two projects have already initiated, these will use the majority of the eco-bricks from this first pool, and more projects are on the way. The IMG group is aware that it will take a lot more to solve the plastic waste challenge, but they believe that they can have a positive impact by funding local start-up programs that can become global examples and be replicated elsewhere. They also unveiled that they plan to reproduce this program in other communities where they operate, as well as having part of their sustainability team dedicated to identifying future projects with the highest potential for a global positive impact.
IMG GROUP'S PLEDGE FOR THE PLANET
The IMG Group incorporates post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content in both lines of businesses: Selenis - supply of specialty polyester for diverse applications, and Evertis — PET-based films for food and non-food applications.
Evertis counts on a wealth of expertise and know-how in accelerating innovative techniques to incorporate recycled content into their products, as they were pioneers in film extrusion as well as incorporation of recycled materials. Currently their films target an average incorporation of 50% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content. In 2020, Selenis launched an innovative line of products, known as the ECO Series, pioneering the incorporation of up to 50% of recycled content in their resins. Additionally, through their investments in R&D they have developed fully recyclable solutions for the shrink sleeve and form-fill-seal packaging markets.
The IMG Group shares society's concerns regarding the impact of waste, and they are committed to improving social well being throughout the world and preserving the health of the planet. The group envisions a future with increased use of recycled content, greater recyclability of their products and lowest feasible carbon footprint where the group plays a leading role in sensitizing their communities to the benefits of recycling PET and advancing aclosed loop economy.
https://spnews.com/2020/09/recycling-program/
April 2020 - Costa de Jalisco, Mexico
Our parent company, IMG Group, has a partnership with the Sol Pacífico Foundation, with whom we have partnered in several initiatives linked to education. In this case in particular, we foster eco-brick construction as a sustainable project. Eco-bricks are made using PET bottles filled with non-recyclable materials.
These then become the building blocks of an ecological building structure with the following benefits:
Reduction in environmental pollution and emissions as waste is reused
Material for insulation purposes
High durability
Easy to store and transport
Simple and low-cost technique
We embarked on this project with local schools as we believe that the younger generations are the future for a greener planet. Through class-room presentations, we highlighted the positive impact that this ecological construction delivers and taught the students how to make their own eco-bricks. With this knowledge, a fun and educational activity was created whereby students participated in the construction of benches and other elements for the improvement of their school facilities.
As an additional incentive eco-bricks can be cashed as vouchers to be used in local supermarkets (5 eco bricks = 20 USD)
IMG president at the launch of the eco-brick for supermarket vouchers initiative
March & April 2020 - Global Iniciative
The world has never faced a crisis like this one before, as the pandemic impacts communities globally, at the IMG Group, our parent company, strives to do its part in supporting everyone’s efforts to prevent, detect and respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The IMG Group has helped fight the pandemic through the following donations distributed to the local communities where our industrial sites are located, namely in Portugal, Brazil, Italy and Mexico:
Protective Gear and Medical Equipment
7000 masks and 1750 face shields for local schools, city councils, police and nursing homes
160m of material to produce surgical gowns donated to Portalegre Health Center in partnership with local seamstresses
More than 200 liters of disinfection and cleaning products supplied to local authorities
Hand sanitizers supplied to local authorities
More than 600 pairs of gloves for local authorities
Contributions of Funds for Medical Equipment
2000€ towards the purchase of medical equipment – Alentejo Hospitals, Portugal
400 € for the purchase of surgical gowns -Portalegre Hospital, Portugal
500€ for the purchase of face shields – Police Offices of Lombardy, Italy
500€ donation to the Red Cross for the purchase of face shields - Lombardy, Italy
Product Donations
Given that the IMG Group’s portfolio includes products that serve the market for protective goods, we have contributed to the health and safety of our local communities through the following product donations to produce face shields:
800 kgs of Evertis PET film
20 kgs of Selenis PETG filaments for 3D printing
Contributions to Foundations and Found Raisers
1000 $ donation towards the CDC Foundation for the funding of medical support, increasing lab capacity, deploying emergency staffing to U.S public health agencies, providing support to vulnerable communities, addressing health communication and boosting clinical research to improve health outcomes.
1000 $ donation towards the No Kid Hungry organization. Many children rely on school meals. With school closures, those meals are no longer guaranteed. This initiative sends emergency grants to food banks and helps communicate with families to make sure they can find a hot meal until schools open again.
5500 € donation towards the Careyes Foundation to support over 4,000 people across six villages, on the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. This contribution will fund at least two rounds of grocery deliveries (around $15 each) to these families who are most in need, providing with food and other basic necessities to last them for one month.
500€ contribution to the “Soma de Todas as Partes” project in Portugal, an organization that provides food for isolated people and all those referred by institutions that at the moment are unable to guarantee all the necessary support.
More than 1000 kgs of meals and other essential goods donated to shelters and nursing homes in Curitiba, Brazil.
March & April 2020 – Portalegre, Portugal
Due to the unprecedent sanitary crisis caused by the Covid-19 virus, the IMG Group has donated 575 meals so far to all truck drivers who transport products from Evertis and Selenis industrial sites in Portugal.This initiative was born after hearing from truck drivers about the difficulties they were facing in buying food at petrol stations due to long lines now that all dine-in restaurants have been closed. Thus, the Group decided to provide a complete and healthy take-away meal to make their trips a little easier amidst the current crisis. Truck drivers are risking their own health and are working non-stop to keep supplying the essential businesses in the medical & healthcare, cleaning products, and food industries. Out of respect for their crucial role at this and at all times, for helping to keep these and other companies up and running and also through the strong sense of solidarity of the IMG Group, we will continue to provide these meals as long as this is necessary.
March & April 2020 - Global Iniciative
At the IMG Group we reinforce the important role that good occupational safety and health good practices play, as seen during the current sanitary crisis caused by the Covid-19 virus.We strive to support all efforts made to prevent, detect and react in a timely way. Contingency plans are implemented with the safety and health of our employees prioritized. Operational continuity plans are also in place to ensure the safety and stability of our activity, since Evertis products are considered essential goods.
At the IMG Group we have implemented the following measures:
Employees who perform work that is compatible with teleworking are working from home to cut risk of contracting virus
Employees whose responsibilities require them to be on site were provided protective gear, such as face shields and hand sanitizers
Screening point at the entrance of our industrial sites to measure body temperature of anyone entering premises
Training on current strict protocols, including measures related to social distancing and correct hand hygiene
Disinfection of our industrial sites according to sanitation measures provided by authorities
Set up of an isolation room and concrete procedures were defined to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus
Due to our rapid response and adherence to rigorous protocols, the IMG Group proudly reports on the effectiveness of ours measures and the commitment and responsibility of everyone involved within our activity as we have zero positives test results of covid-19 within all locations.
June 2020 – Mexico
Evertis planted close to 300 trees in Costa Alegre, an area highly affected by hurricanes, having suffered 3 in the last 10 years. This initiativeis in place in an effort to replace trees downed by the hurricanes, one of them being the strongest storm ever recorded, reaching a wind speed of 345 km/h.
March 2020 – Portugal
At Evertis we believe in nature-based solutions to solve climate change. In a win-win initiative, we planted 50 trees on farmland in Portugal, bringing benefits to farmers and the local community. Farms become more efficient, more climate friendly, as trees absorb CO2, release oxygen and return carbon to the soil, as well as store water.
March 2020 - Mexico
At Evertis Mexico we reject any kind of manifestation of violence. That is why we joined #ADayWithoutWomen movement that was called for on March 9th, 2020. We appreciate how important women are in our day to day lives and consider them essential members of our organization. Evertis reassured female employees that they mattered and, with the support of Evertis management, wouldn’t have their time off or remuneration negatively impacted. We also suggested employees who come to work that day, wore a purple garment as a symbol of support for this cause.
March 2020 - Brazil
We delivered a symbolic souvenir to all mothers who work at Evertis Brazil as a gesture of admiration for the strong working mothers who balance work responsibilities with their families’ needs.
December 2019 – Monterrey, Mexico
Evertis believes in the importance of teamwork and the creation of a unified group. An annual barbecue is held to promote a friendly work environment and motivate employees to appreciate one another and develop communication between them, as well as reinforcing the value of enjoying time at the workplace.
October 2019 - Lisbon, Portugal
Our parent company, IMG Group, participated with a stand at the Raw Materials University Day, hosted by the Material Science Department at FCT NOVA, (Faculty of Sciences and Technology of New University of Lisbon), Portugal, with the objective of providing insight on our raw materials and their connection to a circular economy. Raw Materials University Days are organized annually in Europe to educate high school and university students about opportunities in raw materials for modern life and the green energy transition.
September 2019 - Portalegre, Portugal
The IMG Group donated funds to replace the extension ladder of the Portalegre’s fire truck used when fires breakout in multistory buildings. The extension ladder of the Portalegre Firefighters had been inoperative for many months after being damaged in a fire intervention and, due to the lack of funds, this vital equipment couldn’t be repaired. The IMG Group became aware of the situation and took on the cost of a new replacement, making the fire truck fully functional and ready for service to the community.
August 2019 - Costa Jalisco, Mexico
Through our partnership with the Sol Pacífico Foundation we donated funds supporting a program focused on vocational training. The purpose of this program is to expand opportunities for adolescents and adults who were unable to complete their studies by offering them an accessible digital tool to study a technical career with individualized support in preparation for working life.
December 2018 - Portalegre, Portugal
Team Building divided in two sessions, one just for Leaders and a second one for
Leaders + Teams:
LEADERS: focused on an activity that showed the need to exercise leadership effectively, maximizing resources and relationships, highlighting the role of Attitude and Choices.
LEADERS & TEAMS: Activities that worked on concepts associated with cooperation, teamwork, time management, conflict resolution, communication, team management, flexibility, coordination, continuous improvement, and the importance of planning and observation.
Annual Event, Brazil
Internal Week for the Prevention of accidents at work, held once a year, with daily lectures. 7 hours / year.
- Oral health - Dental Uni
- Prophylaxis (Oral hygiene) - Dental Uni
- Workplace stretching - Local Academy
- First Aid - Vital Force
- Safety at Work – Team Leader
- Odontomovel (SIPAT)