International Environmental Protection 2009-2014

ChrisReal_TahitiEvent:

Environmental Outreach Summary 2009-2014
Billabong Pro –Teahupoo, Tahiti

Overview:

Tahiti Surfing Contest – Environmental Activity Summary

Each year Chris Real from DPS Technical in conjunction with the event management staff performs an environmentally responsible activity during the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Billlabong Pro & Von Zipper Trials in Teahupoo, Tahiti. This helps the community and we enjoy being the “good guys”.

Community Action Overview

In 2009 & 2010 we did a general area clean up and collected used oil / paint and recyclable materials at the various places to prevent hydrocarbon contamination of the lagoon. (Hydrocarbons are linked to cancer and sea life damage, additionally they are a fire safety concern.)

Tahiti_generator Tahiti_electronicsIn 2011 & 2012 with the help of Jimmy Mawrr and Paul Scott we completed redirecting and balancing the electrical power lines in the webcast and other buildings, thus minimizing fire risk and overall power consumption. (The attention to detail has prevented some power black outs and lowered the electrocution risk.)

In 2011 an extreme swell hit during the contest.

The “Code Red” conditions resulted in many of the waterfront areas being flooded.

We take pride in knowing that our proactive cleanup activities were directly responsible for minimizing pollution, as many of the environmentally hazardous materials had been removed.

In 2011 & 2012 the locals helped us do a lead battery cleanup.Tahiti_batteries1 Tahiti_batteries

We were able to take in excess of 2,000 pounds of lead and used batteries to the recycling point at the marina.

Our actions have kept a known toxin from contaminating the food chain. (Lead is linked to reproductive harm in humans and is damaging to the food chain.)

Tahiti_plastic Tahiti_recycleFor 2013 we placed aluminum and plastic “can crushers” and beverage container recycling points around Teahupoo. The container crushers minimized the physical bulk of the beverage containers and also made it easier for recycling collection. When the containers are crushed they take up less area in landfills and do not float, this is a benefit.

In 2014 we expanded our environmental support of the ASP Billabong Pro by providing more can crushers, coordinating expanded battery recycling and oversaw the implementation of secondary containment for a remote fueling location.

What is in the future?

Billabong_recycles1We are committed to being good citizens’ so stay tuned!

Respectfully,

Chris Real, CLS
President, DPS Technical, Inc.

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