Thank you for giving an insight into our business, Gerrit Gödecke! The correct handling of waste is essential to maintain our environment. 🌱 #reks
Global Business Executive | Strategisches Wachstum, M&A und Großprojekte | Managing Director K+S Salt Australia | K+S Botschafter | Zukunft im Blick
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁. 🛠️🔋 When you think of the potash and salt industry, vast tunnel systems deep underground might come to mind. These tunnels have a crucial role even after the minerals are gone - turning those stable voids into secure storage spaces for waste that can’t be avoided. The European Union Waste Framework Directive of 2008 lays out a five-tier waste hierarchy: 1. Prevention 🚫 2. Preparation for reuse ♻️ 3. Recycling ♻️ 4. Other recovery (e.g., energy recovery) ⚡ 5. Disposal 🚮 While aiming for a circular economy - where waste is avoided, if not feasible then minimized, and materials are reused as much as possible - is the ultimate goal, the reality is that some industries still produce hazardous waste that simply can’t be eliminated yet. This waste needs to be stored securely, and that’s where these underground spaces come in. Salt formations in these old or unused areas of mines act like nature’s vaults - extremely stable and perfectly suited to keep hazardous waste securely locked away from the environment. Instead of letting potentially harmful waste sit above ground or end up in landfills, where it could cause long-term issues, these deep underground areas are being used to ensure waste is managed responsibly for generations to come. At K+S Group, we’re all in on this approach. In 2021, K+S bundled its waste management activities together with REMEX Group in a new company to become even more efficient in the demanding waste management market: REKS GmbH & Co. KG. #Sustainability #WasteManagement #Potash #Salt #Mining