Waste

You are here:How we operate » Environment » Waste

Font size

Waste

Tarong Energy aims to effectively manage our wastes and commits to reducing, reusing and recycling wastes where possible.

Ash is our biggest waste product in our operations which is produced through burning coal.
Tarong and Tarong North Power Stations produce about 1.9 million tonnes of ash each year as a by-product.

Ash is primarily the non-combustible mineral component of coal and comprises largely aluminium and silica oxides, which are two common elements that exist naturally in significant quantities.

As a method of reuse, Tarong Energy sells a portion of the ash to manufacturers for use as an additive material in cement (refer to supporting data tables [Tarong] [Tarong North] for details on ash quantities sold) and Tarong Energy continues to seek potential new markets for any unsold volumes. The Corporation is a member of the Ash Development Association of Australia (ADAA), which comprises producers and marketers of coal combustion products including ash.

Any unsold ash has previously been stored in the ash dam. As the ash dam is nearing capacity, a Final Land Use and Rehabilitation Plan is being developed. A stable, final landform and surface drainage arrangement has been identified and already areas of the dam have been capped with soil and revegetated with native grasses, shrubs and trees. Parts of the ash dam are still operated as a contingency area for ash and for rainfall events. In 2008, Tarong Energy obtained approval to deposit ash into a disused mine void at Meandu Mine and during 2009, ash was diverted to the King 2 West void via a 4.5 km pipeline. This void has a storage capacity of up to five years. After this time and subject to further approval, ash can be redirected to a larger void with a capacity of up to 25 years.

Tarong Energy also produces other waste products such as paper, oil, steel and general domestic refuse. Large volumes of waste such as oil, metal and drums continue to be recycled. A expanding recycling program continues to be implemented at Tarong Power Station which allows for 100% of cardboard, paper and consumer recyclable products such as aluminium cans and plastic bottles to be recycled. Tarong Energy's corporate office is located in a 5 Star green Star Rated building which is aiming for less than 5% of all wastes to go to landfil.

Arrangements have also been made to ensure that our fluorescent and other light bulbs from Tarong Power Station and Wivenhoe Power Station are collected and recycled. This recycling initiative will prevent potentially damaging material (such as mercury) being disposed of in landfill.