The sustainable way is the only way to operate a successful business, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Sustainability of Hayleys PLC, Ms. Imara de Chickera told guests at the briefing conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) to launch its ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2017’ (BCCS 2017).
Hayley’s PLC, which won six awards at the ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2016’ along with the Grand Slam Award, has been a consistent participator of the competition, until it won the most coveted title last year.
“On winning the No. 1 corporate citizen of Sri Lanka award for the fifth time, we were conferred the Grand Slam Award, which definitely gave us the greatest source of joy,” de Chickera reminisced.
“Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals – they are both essential ingredients for long-term success. The Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award, which is being held for the 14th consecutive year has helped transform the sustainability agendas of the Sri Lankan corporate firms,” she said.
Hayleys PLC, which has a 32,000-employee base operates a multiple of business ventures, which are sustainable by nature, revealed De Chickera.
It operates several sustainably aligned projects such as renewable energy plants, which generates 50 MW of energy and purifies four million litres of water, 8.2 million litres of wastewater and 14.4 million litres of sewage every single day. The company also produces activated carbon out of coconut shell waste, which De Chikera said “Is a magical, sustainable product with myriad purposes - such as air and water purification and is also an effective poison antidote and detoxifier’.
She also advised the potential competitors of the BCCS 2017 to ensure that they account and report every small step taken towards creating a sustainable business environment, and points out that all matters in the final count.
“Telling your story is vital. And lastly finding the hidden gems that others may think are not significant enough, could be the biggest advantage that you have,” De Chickera said.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2017’.