The condition and ongoing health of our environment is highly dependent on how we all come together to support and invest in carbon emission reduction projects. A critical tool that is being utilized by various entities is carbon offsetting programs, where businesses donate a percentage of their revenue per shipment to projects such as renewable energy, effectively offsetting their CO2 emissions. Programs like these can help organizations finance clean energy initiatives or take other sustainable measures that can lower the volume of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, and in turn help to protect our environment. PURUS has been on the forefront of the quest to lower greenhouse emissions through a carbon offset program that has thus far been quite beneficial.
PURUS has partnered with Flexport.org, a renowned leader in sustainability solutions, to contribute to environmental programs which aim to accomplish their climate and sustainability goals. In total, the funds contributed by PURUS have offset a total of 77.87 TCO2 in Q1 of 2019. This volume of carbon has been offset in various projects around the globe, including efforts to avoid deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest and convert landfill gas into clean energy.
PURUS Carbon Offsetting Project Updates
Avoiding Amazonian Deforestation
In recent years, deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest has been a significant concern for many. As part of PURUS’ sustainability efforts, one project they contribute to helps protect the Amazon near the city of Cruzeiro do Sul in the State of Acre, Brazil. The project has managed to safeguard over 70,000 acres of pristine rainforest and biodiversity, while at the same time aiming to mitigate billions of pounds of CO2 emission.
Beyond helping to save the environment, the project also incorporates a series of activities aimed to improve the well-being of the neighboring communities. These include the establishments of new clinics featuring amenities such as bathrooms with sinks to improve health and water quality, distribution of mosquito nets to prevent diseases, and the refurbishment of several local schools to improve the learning environment for community members.
Converting Landfill Gas to Energy in New Bedford, Massachusetts
Decomposing materials in landfills produce large amounts of methane, which is 23 times more potent of a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. To help mitigate this, PURUS contributes to The New Bedford Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project, which is a gas-to-energy plant that prevents methane and carbon dioxide gases from escaping into the atmosphere by converting them into a sustainable energy source. Gases are collected from the landfill and used to fuel reciprocating internal combustion engine-generators, which create clean electricity. With support from Carbonfund.org, this project helps to supplement power energy to the regional electric grid and reduce the amount of methane released into the atmosphere.