We make an Environmental choice

A steel mill is a big presence in any neighbourhood. For Pacific Steel, we combine our environmental practice with our commitment to community to create a neighbourhood we all like to live in.

The management of dust, noise and visual pollution has been a priority. A number of projects have been initiated in recent years to address these issues. A major project was the removal of our waste mountain. Over five million dollars were spent over eighteen months to sort the two hundred thousand tonnes of debris. This included the recovery of three million dollars of metal that was recycled back into the furnace. The cleared site is now used for the production of GRIPCHIP aggregate, and the sorting of other byproducts. To ensure that dust and noise are contained within the site, a protective bund was created from a remnant of the waste mountain. This shielded neighbours from the site. Extensive plantings of native titoki and pohutukawa trees were then developed on the bund, creating further noise and dust screens. The native plantings were extended throughout the site, with GRIPCHIP aggregate used to control weeds around the plantings. A gradual increase in birdlife has been noted around the mill and our water recycling wetland, with increased numbers of pukekos, swans, ducks and tuis taking up residence. Dust reduction across the site is also achieved through the use of water from our wetland. Water from the wetland is used to suppress dust from the stockpiles and from unsealed roads on-site, and is used in the crusher that produces the aggregate.

A gradual increase in birdlife has been noted around the mill and our water recycling wetland, with increased numbers of pukekos, swans, ducks and tuis taking up residence.

There have been a number of benefits from the steps taken to reduce the nuisance factors of dust, noise and visual pollution. The site is enhanced for neighbours around the mill, a richer environment has been created for people working on the site, and there is a greater sense of pride of place within the mill community. The investment in the site is matched by continuing investment in technology and processes within the mill operations to improve environmental performance. The bag house, for example, in which air sucked from the steel plant is treated, has been completely refurbished. Extensive work within the plant ensures all dusty air is contained, extracted and treated. Investments such as these ensure the mill is operating at European best practice standards and is able to consistently meet the conditions of its
air discharge consent.