A significant factor in environmental protection is the application and control of compliance with the systems of management. The companies in the Unipetrol Group gradually implement and certify their environment management systems (EMS), quality management systems (QMS) and health and safety management systems, which guarantee a systematic approach to environmental protection. These activities are supplemented with their participation in the Safe Enterprise (Bezpečný podnik) national programme and in the Responsible Care international programme for chemical industry, which is implemented in the Czech Republic under the title “Responsible Undertaking in the Field of Chemistry” (Odpovědné podnikání v chemii).
In a number of production locations of Unipetrol RPA (polyethylene unit, urea unit, oxygen unit, mazut gasification unit), water-secure handling areas and intercepting and emergency traps were constructed or reconstructed, new oil storage was built, preparations continued for biofuel burning (first stage) and the substrate in the biological waste water treatment plant (BČOV) was replaced. In the heating plant T 700, the independent metering of flue gas desulphurization emissions was reconstructed.
Within the scope of equipment upgrade investments, a partial second-level reconstruction of the BČOV II was carried out, which involved replacement of the obsolete aeration system with a fine-bubble one, and the final settling tank was modified to increase the capacity and to gather new sludge. At the same time, a detailed study of the condition of the industrial sewerage system was completed, proposing a method of how to increase its efficiency and how to renovate it.
Detailed information about the status and development of the impacts of the Group’s activities on the environment are published on a regular basis in the Common Report on the Protection of Health, Occupational Safety and Environment (Společná zpráva o ochraně zdraví, bezpečnosti práce a životního prostředí) of the Unipetrol Group (since 2006, in the Common Environmental Report (Společná environmentální zpráva)) and on the website of the Group. Every two years, the companies in the Group publish their own partial reports. The reports on the implementation of the Responsible Care programme (Responsible Undertaking in the Field of Chemistry) are publicly discussed with the representatives of trade unions and of local and regional self-governments.
At the local board meetings of the neighbouring communities, the management representatives of the Unipetrol Group companies regularly inform the public about the impact of their individual plants on the surrounding environment. On a yearly basis, Open Door Days are organized and meetings with the mayors of the communities in the region are held, during which the participants can get acquainted with all the activities of the companies, including those in the field of environment protection.
Provided that any non-standard operating situation occurs, the mayors of the surrounding communities are immediately informed (for the sake of prevention) by means of text messages (SMS). For the purposes of immediate communication with the public and with their employees, the companies operate Green Lines; up-to-date information is published in the company periodicals.
Open and proactive dialogue in the field of environment protection is also facilitated by the Ecology Centre in Most (Ekologické centrum Most), which started its activities in the year 2000 owing to the support provided by Unipetrol RPA and Česká rafinérská.
