The National Ozone Unit continued its efforts to ensure sound border protection in compliance with the Montreal through training of customs officers at the Customs Training School.
Friday 29 September 2023
Saturday 23 September 2023
Interactive School Awareness Session
The National Ozone Unit was pleased to be invited to share information on ozone layer protection and take part in an interactive and innovative games sessions developed by El Dorado Secondary School students on refrigerant and the Montreal Protocol. Kudos to the developers of the games as well as the instructors.
Friday 22 September 2023
School Outreach for World Ozone Day 2023
Communication and sensitization through art. This was the medium used to share information on the Montreal Protocol and ozone layer awareness for World Ozone Day through a Mural at schools. The first was at Dinsley Government School in Trincity Trinidad. A talk preceded
the wall painting activity.
Tuesday 19 September 2023
Good Refrigeration Practices Training
As the refrigeration and air conditioning sector continues to evolve, the NOU continued its training and sensitization session for technicians in good refrigeration practices and alternative refrigerant.
Saturday 16 September 2023
COMMENCEMENT OF THE REWARDS PROGRAMME FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (RAC) INDUSTRY ON WORLD OZONE DAY 2023
The purpose of this rewards programme is to promote and build loyalty toward the Professional Certification Scheme for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Technicians thereby promoting the Programme and by extension Good Refrigeration Practices within Trinidad and Tobago.
Professionally Certified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians can now enjoy the following:
Education
Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA) Technical Institute
Limited (ATIL)
(230-4123 E-mail: ariatechltd@gmail.com Address: Fifth Street, San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago)
RAC professionally
certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10% discount on tuition on all courses
School
of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SORAC)
(753-0510 or 657- 4567
Email aircon@live.com Address: 818 Quail Valley, Block 5, Palmiste, La Romaine,
Trinidad and Tobago Website: SORAC – School of
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (soractt.com)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10%
discount on all Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Level 1 and 2 Courses
in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning offered at SORAC
Electronics and Appliances
Onyx 7 Technologies Limited (Trading
as MuseiGen)
(746-4870
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MuseiGenTT/)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a maximum
of 10% discount on computers and electronics and a 5% discount on software
purchases and ICT Services
Luxsam Industries Limited
(665-3396/0001/8788 Email: luxsam.industries@gmail.com To request
quotations email: specialprojects@luxsamltd@gmail.com Website: https://luxsamltd.com Address: No
4 Gaston Street Lange Park)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 2.5% discount on cooling assisted items or
equipment
Events and Event Planning
Memory
Makers
(351-1312
Email: memorymakers.tt20@gmail.com FB:
https://www.facebook.com/memorymakers.tt/)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for
a 10% discount on any service booked
Food And Beverage
CaterPro.TT
(375-4628 Website: www.caterpro.tt Address: Warehouse 1 Ali Drive Johnny King Road Aranquez)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 5% discount
on all products on the CaterPro.TT website
Fika
(3781380 Website:
www.fikatrinidad.com)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10% discount on purchases
Jardin
(637 2493 Website: www.jardincakes.com)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10% discount on purchases
Papadums Indian
Joint
(336-4646
Website: gopapadums.com Address: 35A
Saddle Road, Maraval Plaza POS)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 5%
discount on any spend over $100.00
Pascal’s Bakery
(219-3541 Website: www.pascalsbakery.com Email: sales@pascalsbakery.com Address : 19
Eastern Main Road POS)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 15%
discount from the artisan bread line once ordered from www.pascalsbakery.com
SpecialTease
(712-7645
Email: specialtease.tt@gmail.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/specialtease_tt/100068195870495/) A vegan food brand providing
delicious cakes, cupcakes, brownies and muffins.
RAC professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 5% discount after a purchase of $200 and over, on any of the baked items offered at SpecialTease
Gift and Stationery
Ideas by Aces
(Call or Whatsapp: 460-4048 , 348-
2237, 381-2237, 322-6313, or 280-7978 Address: 53 Gopie Tr Penal) Email:
info@ttaces.com / sales@ttaces.com / sales2@ttaces.com)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10% discount
Personally
Yours
(777-9459 Email
: personallyyourstt@gmail.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/personallyyourstt1)
RAC professionally certified technicians
will automatically qualify for a 5% discount on purchases
THE
UP SHOP
(Website: www.theupshop.com Email:
customerservice@theupshop.com)
The Up Shop is an online store in T&T that offers and delivers a wide range of classy gift and stationery items.
RAC professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for 6% discount at checkout. Use Coupon Code: rac-rewards
Hardware
K. Mohammed Hardware Ltd
(637-6595 Address: 1 Bain Street, Western Main Rd, Diego Martin)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10%
discount on cooling and additional selected items
Home and Garden
Genie Control Home
Automation
(747-0146 Email: geniecontroltt@gmail.com FB - https://www.facebook.com/geniecontrol)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10%
discount on device purchases and 15% on installation
Pharmacy
Don
Miguel Pharmacy Limited
(218-7455 Email: donmiguelpharmacy@gmail.com
Address: 53 Don Miguel Road, San Juan)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will qualify for a 3% discount on prescription and over the
counter (OTC) medications
Printing and Design
Aces Ltd.
(Call or Whatsapp: 460-4048 , 348-
2237, 381-2237, 322-6313, or 280-7978 Address: 53 Gopie Tr Penal) Email:
info@ttaces.com / sales@ttaces.com / sales2@ttaces.com
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10% discount
All Creations
(Contact: 731-1531. Email alaban2000@yahoo.com)
Providing all your printing and embroidery needs including polos, t-shirts,
caps, banners, promotional items and many more. Artwork and design services
included.
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 5% discount
Refrigeration And Air Conditioning
Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA)
(230-4123 E-mail: ariatechltd@gmail.com Address: Fifth Street, San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10% discount on workshops and
seminars
Atlantic Air Company Ltd
(657-COOL (2665) Website:www.atlanticairltd.com Address: 35A Union Road,
Marabella)
- RAC professionally certified technicians
will automatically qualify for dealer prices on ALL items at our 3
locations.
- A further discount will be given on all
technician’s tools i.e. each technician will be allowed a further discount
of 10% on any technician tools purchase
per annum
Maraj
Air Conditioning Ltd.
(674-6348 Website : https://marajacltd.com/ Address: LP
#42 Aranguez Main Road, San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for our
technicians’ prices on applicable items
Peakes
Technologies Limited
(638-5832 Website: www.peaketec.com Address (Trinidad): Lot 18BB Aranguez Ext. Road, San Juan Address (Tobago): Milford Rd, Crown Point
Tobago
·
RAC professionally certified technicians will
automatically qualify for a maximum of 25%
discount on applicable items
Wholesalers and Distributors
Trinikar
Distributors
(620-6355 Email: Trinkardistributors@gmail.com FB:https://www.facebook.com/TrinkarDistributors/)
RAC
professionally certified technicians will automatically qualify for a 10%
discount
Friday 15 September 2023
World Ozone Day 2023 Message
Scientists discovered evidence of a serious threat to the ozone layer in the 1980s, which provided the impetus for the development of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. The Protocol is an international agreement under which countries worldwide are committed to phasing-out Ozone Depleting Substances and Products, and to replacing these damaging chemicals with ozone-friendly substances and products. Some of the ozone depleting chemicals which are targeted by the Montreal Protocol includes: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are refrigerant, halons which are fire suppressants, and methyl bromide which is a fumigant, as well as products using them or any blends of these chemicals. The refrigerant HCFCs in particular supports cooling services which underpins many important sectors which contribute to sustainable development within the national economy namely the food, fishing, health, tourism and industrial sectors.
The ‘ozone hole’, which forms during the Antarctic winter in September, was created by the destruction of ozone molecules by these ozone depleting substances and can severely affect, not only humans, but also other ecosystems. Research has shown that excessive exposure to ultra-violet radiation is harmful to all life forms, from microscopic plants found in the ocean to farm animals and human beings. Humans are affected through increasing incidences of eye-cataracts, non-melanoma skin cancers, damage to genetic DNA and suppression of the efficiency of the immune system. In this sense there is a true connection between the survival of people and the natural ozone shield.
Trinidad and Tobago signed the Montreal Protocol in 1989 which addressed
the depletion of the ozone layer and set obligations for countries under the
protocol. Since the signing, the National Ozone Unit of the Environmental
Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) developed frameworks and partnerships to
aid Trinidad and Tobago in meeting its obligations.
·
In 1989 all ozone depleting substances such as
refrigerant, and related equipment were placed on the import negative list
and required a license for import.
·
In December 2007 the import of the refrigerant
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and its blends, as well as halon were no longer
allowed.
·
In January 2015 the import of methyl bromide for
use in non-quarantine and reshipment applications was no longer allowed
·
The process of phasing out the refrigerant
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) began in 2013, and in 2015, Trinidad and
Tobago no longer allows the import of all assembled air condition (AC) and
refrigeration units that use HCFCs or its blends.
·
Labelling standards for refrigerants cylinders,
and refrigeration and air conditioning equipment have been developed; all
refrigerant imports are inspected against these standards by the Trinidad and
Tobago Bureau of Standards
·
The Professional Certification Scheme for the
Refrigeration and Air conditioning Industry has been developed. This
certification equips technicians with the knowledge required to deal with rapid
changes within their industry.
·
National Guidelines for the Refrigeration and
Air conditioning Industry have also been developed as well as a National
Cooling Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago.
The Montreal Protocol has had a tremendous
effect on aiding the world in arresting the deterioration of the ozone layer,
and made a landmark decision in October 2016 known as the Kigali Amendment, to
include under its mandate chemicals which were used as ozone depleting
alternatives but which have a negative effect on the climate, such as
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Trinidad and Tobago was the 1st country
in the Caribbean and 21st country globally to sign onto the Kigali
Amendment showcasing our commitment not only to protection of the ozone layer
but also addressing the issue of climate change.
In keeping
with our national commitments under the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal
Protocol, a phase down for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will commence from January
1, 2024 which will consist of a freeze at a national baseline based on
historical HFC imports and a quota system for new HFC imports.
As we reflect on our achievements under the
Montreal Protocol, we should note that there is still much to be done to
restore the ozone layer, and all citizens should pledge to do their part to
help.
We must therefore strive to be ozone friendly, which means taking individual action to reduce and eliminate impacts on the stratospheric ozone layer caused by the products that you buy, the appliances and equipment that your household or business use, or the manufacturing process used by your company. Products made with, or containing, ozone depleting substances (ODS) can contribute to ozone layer depletion. Alternatives to these products, which are also not harmful to the climate, should be used.
We must also take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from the harmful ultra violet (UV) rays emitted by the sun especially in a tropical island such as ours. Using umbrellas, long sleeved clothing, caps with brims, sunglasses and sun block with UV protection when going into the sun protects us from skin cancer, eye cataracts, wrinkling of the skin and weakening of the immune system by shield ourselves from UV rays.
I challenge each
of you to become part of our effort to save the ozone layer. We owe it to this and future generations to
protect and preserve this precious natural shield. Remember Environmental pride is national
pride!
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