Sustainability: What is it?
Sustainability, by definition, is the ability to meet current needs without compromising resources for future generations. It involves balancing economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.
Sustainability is based on three pillars: environmental, social and economic. This can be translated into the use of practices that respect the environment, promote social responsibility and are economically viable.
The birth of sustainability came from the excessive depletion of natural resources, the impacts that human activity has on ecosystems, the levels of social and economic inequality and the lack of ethics and corporate management.
In 1987, the “Brundtland Commission”, which had been working in this area since 1983, developed the report “Our Common Future”, which highlighted and warned about the negative environmental consequences of economic development and globalisation and offered solutions and practices for the problems arising from industrialisation and population growth. It was from this document that the adoption and implementation of sustainable practices began to have a greater impact.
In the case of ProTin, our sustainable practices involve several actions:
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Fish: At ProTin, all fish purchased from the supplier or at the auction must have official documentation proving that:
- The fish was caught in sustainable fishing areas (e.g. MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification);
- Only sustainable fishing methods were used, that is, types of fishing that do not affect the health of marine ecosystems.
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100% recyclable material: recycling is also a sustainable practice and allows you to give a new life to materials that can no longer be used again, such as:
- Pâté cans (yellow recycling bin) and the use of recyclable cardboard boxes only (blue recycling bin).
- Waste separation is also a sustainable practice, as, in addition to facilitating the work of waste management companies, it reduces environmental pollution and the burning of waste that can be recyclable (burning waste is an expensive and polluting practice).
- Renewable Energy: The use of solar energy for our facilities reduces the implications of access to natural resources, as well as their disposal. Solar energy (and wind energy from power plants) has a great positive impact on sustainability.
- Social Responsibility: We guarantee ethical and fair working conditions for our employees and suppliers, in addition to having partnerships with local fishermen and farmers, which guarantee the use of sustainable practices in all products.
In conclusion, sustainability is an entire process that starts with the initial supplier (origin of raw materials) and ends with the packaging and manufacturing process. And if we want future generations to have access to the same resources as us, then we must ensure and work today to make this happen: Sustainability today, a secure future tomorrow!
Elsa Dias