BlueScope encourages employees to make a difference to the environment in which they work, and to the wider community.
A master plan brings benefit to the community
New Zealand Steel has recently completed a Master Landscape Plan for the 240 hectare greenbelt which surrounds its Glenbrook integrated steel mill. New Zealand Steel recognised the importance of this land early on - a portion of the land was allocated when the mill was developed, and it has increased in size over time. Most of the area is farmland, and there are also two non-hazardous landfills which are progressively rehabilitated and returned to pasture.
The Landscape Plan incorporates extensive plantings, primarily to provide protection for the streams and coast line. Most of the plants are indigenous and eco-sourced, which contributes to the biodiversity of the local ecosystem. Other plantings screen the landfills and the industrial site, and provide shelter for livestock. An extensive pest and weed control program is an integral part of the biodiversity protection and maintenance of the new plantings.
The local community is engaged in this environmental program through the Te Whangai Trust, established to provide training and short term employment for people considered at risk due to long term unemployment or other social issues. The Trust grows the plants from locally sourced material and carries out the planting.
The engagement of the Te Whangai Trust demonstrates New Zealand Steel’s support for the environment and the local community. The program now includes the establishment of a small plant nursery where seedlings to be planted in the greenbelt are grown.
The success of the Master Landscape Plan is also being seen in the health of the trees, more naturally generating seedlings and increased native bird populations.
Clean up days
Each year BlueScope is an active supporter of Clean Up Australia Day. In 2012, Clean Up activities extended beyond site boundaries as Port Kembla Steelworks and Western Sydney Service Centre employees targeted local beaches, neighbourhood parks, train stations and bus stops.
Teams of employees nominated areas within their working environment or local community where rubbish and litter are visible. The teams were also given the challenge to find innovative solutions to manage the waste collected.
Just over 350 bags of rubbish and waste materials were collected, including vegetation, canteen scraps, plastic bottles and wrappers, aluminium cans, scrap steel, timber pallets, fishing equipment and a mattress. Although some was sent to landfill, most of the waste was segregated and recycled. BlueScope will continue to support Clean Up Australia Day in 2013, and encourages all employees to work together to find ways to improve their environment.
Tree planting
Across the Company, BlueScope regularly engages employees in planting trees to improve operating sites, help reduce carbon dioxide and create a fresher, healthier and cleaner environment.
BlueScope Steel Indonesia’s Cilegon site marked World Environment Day 2012 by joining with the local government to plant trees at a local high school to support its environment program. The fruit trees will not only help to educate the students of the importance of environment conservation, but will also provide a valuable food source.
