Our Bond guides us to respect the communities where we operate. Our communities are our homes. In 2006/07, environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and water scarcity remained matters of public concern. BlueScope Steel responded with a number of programs and initiatives that represent industry leading environmental practice.
In May 2007, BlueScope Steel launched the Tank a Day Challenge. This program involves BlueScope Water donating 200 water tanks to Australian primary schools – one tank for each day of the primary school year.
BlueScope Steel will also share its expertise in rainwater harvesting and water management, helping schools to minimise storm water run-off, reduce their reliance on mains water systems, and cut school water bills.The project is designed to initiate water conservation programs in schools, and help imbue a generation of young Australians with a water saving philosophy.
During the 2007 year BlueScope Steel invested in major water saving projects at Port Kembla Steelworks and Western Port. Our water recycling initiative at Port Kembla Steelworks, in conjunction with Sydney Water, has celebrated the use of five and a half billion litres of recycled water. In the past 10 years, the Port Kembla operation has halved its fresh water consumption, signifi cantly reducing its reliance on local water supplies.
Ninety-eight per cent of the water BlueScope Steel use in steelmaking at Port Kembla is now either salt or recycled water.
Our Bond