The UN SDGs, or United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, are a set of 17 interconnected goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The SDGs provide a comprehensive framework and global blueprint for addressing the world's most pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges. The goals aim to guide global efforts towards sustainable development and achieving a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

The 17 SDGs are as follows:

1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms and dimensions.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition.
3. Good Health and Well-Being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

The SDGs are interconnected and address a broad range of challenges, including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean energy, sustainable cities, climate change, and more. They provide a shared agenda for governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to work together towards a sustainable and equitable future.

Introduction: At WearCheck, we believe in the power of collective action to protect our planet and create a better future. With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and long standing commitment to our ISO 14001 Environmental Management system, we have implemented various initiatives to reduce our ecological footprint and promote a greener world. Despite current challenges, we are dedicated to pursuing our vision of a cleaner and healthier environment.

We prioritise the well-being and safety of our employees by conducting surveys and assessments for lighting, ventilation, hazardous chemical management, ergonomics, and volatile organic compound exposure. Furthermore, we provide proper training to relevant staff on how to handle spill kits and hazardous chemicals.

Condition monitoring plays a vital role in environmental preservation. By continuously monitoring industrial equipment and infrastructure, potential faults and inefficiencies can be detected early, minimising energy waste and preventing costly breakdowns. Timely maintenance reduces emissions, conserves resources, and extends equipment lifespan, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

We are proud to play a part in the wind turbine industry, providing essential services to ensure the smooth operation and longevity of wind turbines. By monitoring and maintaining gearbox health, oil cleanliness, and heat transfer fluids in solar farms, we actively contribute to the development of clean, renewable energy sources

Within our organisation, we prioritise responsible waste management by recycling a wide range of materials, including oil, plastic, solvents, paper and cardboard, plastic courier bags, filters, metal waste, and e-waste. We also actively promote reusing solvents, plastic caps, and bottle cores, as well as sending transformer oils for mold release purposes, refining and reuse, or for fuel, thereby reducing waste generation and conserving resources.

To promote resource efficiency, we have implemented various measures such as LED lighting and natural lighting systems. This includes motion sensors in ablutions and staircases to ensure lights do not burn unnecessarily. Overall, we monitor and optimising electricity and water usage, connecting JoJo Tanks to toilets and emergency showers, and utilising oil traps to capture residue from lab washing processes. Additionally, we have embraced digital transformation through an e-learning platform for training, reducing the need for paper, toner, and travel.

While we acknowledge the need for more active social initiatives, we have a history of supporting educational institutions, such as the Edenvale School of Science, through sponsorships, lab tours, and practical experiences for learners. Additionally, we have been long-standing supporters of St Giles in Durban, aiding their support of the disabled community by the packing of our oil analysis kits.

As an approved laboratory for the Department of Environmental Affairs, we contribute to the protection of water resources by recycling plastic bottles used for oil and water samples and testing effluent water from mines, factories, ship bilges and certifying the quality of drinking water for human consumption Our involvement in court cases and environmental monitoring confirms our commitment to the Green Cause

To further minimise our impact on the environment, we have provided our waste oily tissue and waste oil to companies for refuse-derived fuel systems or for furnace fuel. This innovative approach not only reduces waste but also contributes to a more sustainable energy mix.

Beyond our internal operations, we actively contribute to energy conservation efforts in various industries. Through correct machine and bearing alignment and the use of thinner oils for example in Eskom’s fan bearings, and extended oil drains, companies ca

We continuously strive to reduce the consumption of chemicals through analytical method changes, whilst also eliminating or reducing toxic substances such as xylene, carbon tetrachloromethane, trichloroethane, acetic anhydride, and trichlorobenzene.. Moreover, we ensure the proper and safe disposal of hazardous waste through approved facilities, either by trench and ash disposal or encapsulation.

We assist many of our clients, particularly within the mining industry, to conform to internal environmental audits, ensuring they have minimal PCBs on site. Transformer oil analysis is an effective tool for monitoring the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in transformers. By analysing the oil, technicians can detect and quantify PCB levels, ensuring compliance with regulatory limits. Regular monitoring helps identify potential leaks or degradation of insulating materials, enabling timely maintenance or replacement to prevent environmental contamination and mitigate health risks.

At WearCheck, we strive to be at the forefront of environmental stewardship, driving positive change in our industry and beyond. Through our comprehensive green initiatives, we aim to inspire others to join us on the path toward a sustainable future.