QAPCO Holds Plastic Awareness Forum

Doha, March 01 (QNA) - Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) today held a 'Think Plastic Awareness Forum' focused on how the material contributes to routine life, its misconceptions and how to live responsibly with it. The Forum was held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada here. Plastic Awareness Campaign Executive Committee Chairman and QAPCO Vice Chairman and CEO Dr. Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla; HE Dr. Sada's speech to the gathering was delivered on his behalf by QAPCO Vice-Chairman Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi and Friends of Environment Centre Founder and Chairman Dr. Saif Al Hajari addressed the Forum. Speaking at the one-day Forum Al Mohannadi said, "I am happy that the aim of this campaign is to raise awareness about how plastics contribute to the quality of our life and clear some of the misconceptions about them. It is a compelling and ground-breaking initiative in line with our National Development Strategy." Highlighting the qualities of plastic, its affordability and its use in manufacturing various consumer durables, Dr Al Mulla said, "Plastic is a preferred material because it is lightweight, flexible, durable, versatile and mostly affordable. Over the years plastic has reached all part of our lives, but what do we do with something that doesn't go away when we discard it? QAPCO's month-long 'Think Plastic' campaign looks at this world wide struggle. It is our hope this campaign educates the public on how to live more responsibly with plastic." In his presentation at the Forum on the topic 'Functions and Environment-Friendliness of Plastics', Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Secretary General Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun said, "Originally, plastics were hailed for their potential to reduce humankind's heavy environmental footprint. Today, plastic is perceived as nature's nemesis. "A generic negative perception for plastics can muddy our thinking about the trade-offs involved when we replace plastic with other materials. Plastics are not necessarily bad for the environment. It is the way we tend to make and use them that is the problem." Dr Al Sadoun also delved on the industry's efforts on the 3Rs (Reuse, Recycle and Recover) to deepen mutual understanding with respective stakeholders, aiming for the creation of sustainable society. In his presentation 'What do we know exactly about plastics?' Chevron Phillips GS Low HDPE Technical Service Manager Philippe Montagne said, "Plastic will keep on being accepted only if people understand the positive contribution of this material to the society." QAPCO'S Chief Operations Executive Yousef Rabeah's presentation on 'Plastics: Solution Providers for Sustainable Packaging' covered the benefits of plastics packaging for various applications and their contributions to sustainability and environmental protection. He also spoke on food protection and the safety of plastics used in food packaging. (QNA)