South Africa - August 12, 2009
The Dow Advanced Materials plant in New Germany, South Africa constantly strives for excellence in every aspect of our business. The operation has a reputation for the care and of safety for our employees, the communities around us, the environment and the sustainable use of all resources,” says Martin Rogers, plant manager, The Dow Advanced Materials New Germany plant.
The Dow Advanced Materials plant in New Germany, South Africa recently helped ensure young students have a more reliable source of water by installing a grey water and rainwater flushing system at the Birches Pre-Primary School. The new system will help the school and minimise running costs.
“Dow’s assistance with our sustainability project to minimise water consumption has made an enormous difference at the school and we are so grateful for the company’s generosity,” says Scilla Edmonds, principal, The Birches Pre-Primary School. “It is a real struggle educating nearly 150 pupils with limited resources, so the school has had to become self-sustainable, which is an exciting challenge to us all.”
The school previously had two water tanks to water the garden, but needed another tank for the sole purpose of flushing toilets. Dow has also help install a simple means of channeling grey water (from hand washing basins) out of the bathroom, into a large basin. This simple system teaches children about the importance of re-using water. The water is used to wash the children’s garden tools before pouring it out onto the lawn.
The Birches children take pride in their water wise indigenous garden and herb beds,” Edmunds explained. “It provides a valuable learning environment highlighting the importance of sight, sound, touch and taste.”
The new system is the most recent example of how The Dow Advanced Materials plant in New Germany, plays an important role in improving the lives of the community in which it operates by contributing to commendable projects.
The New Germany facility supplies customers of the Dow Coating Materials business divisions with high quality coatings raw materials, as well as other industries, including adhesives and sealants, ion exchange resins, and consumer and industrial speciality products to diverse industries throughout Southern Africa.
Dow Coating Materials is the premier supplier of products and technologies to architectural and industrial coatings manufacturers worldwide. Combining the extensive resources of Dow and recently-acquired Rohm and Haas Company, the new business provides formulators a wide range of chemistries and support across many different product lines, including core binder technologies, additives and solvents. Additionally, Dow Coating Materials operates 13 dedicated R&D labs across all major geographies where Dow does business. For more information, visit us @ www.dow.com/coating
Additional information on The Birches Pre-Primary School
Recent achievements for The Birches include being awarded International Eco-School status (a WESSA initiative); working with Imagine Durban as a ‘demonstration green campus’ and winning numerous prizes in Collect-a-Can competitions.
The school appeared on SABC 1 on Human Rights Day featuring ‘It is the right of every child to have and education but the responsibility of the child to care for the environment in which they learn. On 27th May this programme was broadcast on KTV and another will be screened in August, challenging other schools to follow this fine example.
Last year The Birches was awarded the Ethekwini Schools Award for 'an outstanding contribution to the implementation of a cleaner environment' in recognition of the many environmental initiatives being demonstrated.
Scilla Edmonds was awarded honorary member of ‘The Keep Ethekwini Beautiful Association' this year.
About Dow
For Editorial Information:
Doritha Erwee
The Dow Chemical Company
27 11 575 1547
