Reduce, recycle, reuse

Across all our operations we strive to find ways to reduce, recycle and reuse. This covers waste found in our operations but also the waste that we produce as a large group of people coming together to work each day.

Reducing plastic waste
One of the flagship initiatives – spearheaded by FQM Trident – is the promotion of refillable water bottles over single-use plastic bottles. Recognizing the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on the environment, management made a decisive move to invest in internally produced water products in reusable 20L bottles and later on ban single-use plastic bottles on-site. The results have been remarkable, with a notable 97% reduction in associated waste from the 2020 benchmark. This significant decrease not only underscores the effectiveness of the initiative but also highlights the collective efforts towards a greener future.

Building on success
This program has been replicated at other sites, including at Guelb Moghrein where the following activities were used to reduce plastic bottle usage.

Installation of Water Dispenser across site

• Setting up three water distribution stations in strategic area (Cinder Palace, Mining Cabana and Maintenance area)
• Regular maintenance and quality checks to ensure clean and accessible drinking water for all employees

Distribution of reusable bottles

• Providing employees and contractors with stainless steel bottles
• Encouraging the use of these bottles instead of single-use plastic ones
• Educating employees on proper cleaning and maintenance of reusable bottles to ensure hygiene

Awareness Campaign

• Educational materials on environmental impact of plastic waste
• Communicated through on-site television monitors

Internal policies & monitoring

• Gradual banning of single-use plastic bottles on-site
• A tracking system to measure the number of bottles before and after implementing these initiatives
• Analysis of water quality

As was the case at Trident, the results have been impressive, seeing a 99% reduction of total bottles used on-site between 2018 and 2024.

Beyond plastic bottles
Additional programs to reduce on-site plastic waste include:

• Implementing a recycling program for industrial waste packaging materials. Various industrial plastics containing chemicals and bags used for fertilizers and other materials are cleaned, shredded, packaged, and sent to recyclers. These materials are then transformed into reusable products, such as plastic chairs and PVC ceiling boards, by recyclers on the Copperbelt and Lusaka
• Substituting non-biodegradable food packaging and cutlery in canteens with sustainable alternatives, such as biocane food packaging and corn starch cutlery. This has resulted in a significant reduction in nonbiodegradable waste sent to the landfill