This article refers to legislation updates in Queensland in 2023, specifically guidelines around the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Environmental Code of Practice
An Environmental Code of Practice for the concrete batching industry was issued 19th February 2023, designed to assist industry operators in meeting their general environmental duty.
| “The code also outlines the environmental best management practices of leaders in the industry. Under Section 319 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, all persons in Queensland must fulfil their ‘general environmental duty’. This is defined as follows: ‘A person must not carry out an activity that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental harm unless the person takes all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise the harm’.” (Section 1) |
The crux of this code of practice is summed up as follows:
| “The challenge for concrete batching plant operators is to manage the environmental and community risk whilst remaining close to the market.” (Section 7) |
Better environmental responsibility
These provisions are not unique to Queensland in their intent; they are part of the current movement for greater environmental responsibility. The concrete industry stands out as a rather public example for potential high impact, and not just for carbon emissions. The sheer volume of concrete production makes it a high risk of negative impacts on the environment and people around production sites. The Queensland Code referred to above demonstrates the broader impacts of concrete production, including dust, potential water contamination, noise, and high levels of waste.
The bottom line is that ENVIRONMENTAL DUTY will be an increasingly significant factor for the concrete industry, and this term is broad.
How can we help?
Here at MARKHAM, we’d like to offer whatever help we can. We’ve had a long history of environmentally safe products. We can offer you sustainably sourced and developed admixtures for waterproofing and rheology enhancement, as well as a range of post-placement treatments for curing, durability, and shrinkage-crack minimisation. Our products have been selected for projects in sensitive environments, such as over waterways, as they are nil-VOC and overspray does not pose a hazard to people, plants or animals.
EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) are available for selected AQURON and CONQOR products.
Sustainability is a big picture
The big sustainability picture is a very real thing to us. Companies need to be genuinely sustainable in the full sense of the word if they are to survive in the long term. This is more than just the product offering.
Get in touch!
If you’d like to talk to us about how we can help you with your environmental duty requirements, please reach out!
Try our on-demand webinar “Sustainability and Performance“.
