An education center at Dow Corning’s manufacturing site in the UK has been awarded Eco-Center status because of the high level of sustainability practices it follows.
The Eco-Center classification recognizes that the education center is operated under an eco-code. It shows that Dow Corning is dedicated to bring environmental concerns to the forefront and demonstrates the importance of sustainable development to the local community.
The center itself must also ensure that waste is reduced, reused or recycled; that waste is monitored; that energy and water are conserved; fair-trade refreshments are used as much as possible and that visitors are informed about the status of the building and the eco-friendly cleaning materials which are used.
The education center at the Barry site, which is one of only a few centers to be given this prestigious award in Wales, is designed to be sustainable with solar panels (which use Dow Corning silicon), ground source heating and rainwater harvesting to supply the washrooms.
“It is often a misconception that chemical industries are harmful to the environment, but the new status of the center is ongoing proof that as a company we are committed to sustainable living and teaching best practices to the local community,” says Peter Cartwright, Executive Director of Environment, Health and Safety (PDF: 173 KB).
The activity of the center will be monitored throughout the year and an operating external committee will ensure that the center sustains progress towards sustainable goals.