Rio Tinto Borax : Practices : Environmental Stewardship

	Mining & Refining

	Health & Safety

	Human Potential

	Environmental Stewardship
	Accountability
	Water Use
	Air Emissions
	Land Rehabilitation
	Waste & Recycling
	Regulatory Compliance
	Efficiency
	Energy Use
	Boric Acid Plant Expansion
	Petite Synthe Borogypsum Tailings Site
	Trout in Waters Naturally High in Boron

	Economic Contribution

	Product Sustainability

Environmental Stewardship

Waste & Recycling
Over the past decade, the solid waste generated at our primary mining and refining facility has been reduced to the point where our existing landfill is expected to last for the life of the mine, projected at 75 years. In 2003 our hazardous waste reduction efforts were recognized by the California Integrated Waste Management Board's Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP), as they have been for nine of the last ten years. Borax's waste reduction efforts include:

Borax's waste reduction efforts include:

Substituting hazardous chemicals with non-hazardous materials
Recycling off-spec product back through our refineries
Recycling haul truck tires as well as beams and rails from old underground workings
Rewarding employees for environmental and recycling suggestions
Remediating contaminated soil

This chart shows the amount of non-mineral waste - including hazardous waste - managed on and off-site. Borax does not ship any waste across international borders. All categories of waste have decreased since 2001.

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