Training of Customs Officers on Montreal Protocol

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some World Ozone Day 2023 Info

 

2023 World Ozone Day Activities

 

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:

(Note that : Rewards offered only to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Technicians presenting a valid RAC Professional Certification Card

Discounts and offers varies at different vendors

Vendors reserve the right to amend or discontinue any discount offered )

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

 

******

 A special thank you to all participating merchants!

Highlights of the Work of the National Ozone Unit- World Ozone Day 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 1^st country in the Caribbean and 21^st 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!