– 90,000 plastic bottles to be saved every month in UB –
A photograph of Oyu Tolgoi Ulaanbaatar employees, Mandakh-Orgil Ganbold and Orgilbayar Zorigt with one of the new water dispensers is attached
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Everyday more than 100 million plastic water bottles are used worldwide and most aren’t recycled. Plastic takes up to one thousand years to fully decompose and the amount of water used to make one plastic bottle can be more than ten times the amount of fluid it contains.
Companies and individuals are increasingly looking at ways to reduce their environmental impact by cutting down their use of plastic. This week, Oyu Tolgoi is taking a big step to reduce the environmental impact of its Ulaanbaatar offices by replacing individual bottled water with dispensers with reusable water containers.
The company provides bottled water to promote good health and hydration amongst its workforce, with more than 90,000 bottles used each month. As well as protecting the environment, the new water dispensers will save the company money. This is increasingly important as Oyu Tolgoi transitions from a construction project to a profitable and successful business.
R.Bumdari, Compliance Superintendent at Oyu Tolgoi explains: “The most environmentally friendly waste management thing we can do is not to produce any waste at all. In particular plastic takes a very long time to decompose and even if recycled, they pollute the environment.
“Scientists have estimated that around four per cent of world oil and gas production, a non-renewable resource, is used as feedstock for plastics leading to emissions of greenhouse gas, nitric oxide, methane and sulfur dioxide. It has been estimated that 1.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas is emitted when recycling one tonne of plastic bottle.”
Oyu Tolgoi employee Orgilbayar Zorigt said: “It was exciting to come in this morning and find the new water dispenser in my office. I think it’s really important that we all do our best to protect the environment and I’m glad we are going to save so much plastic at work from now on.”
Oyu Tolgoi began replacing bottled water with dispensers at the mine site last year.
About Oyu Tolgoi LLC (http://ot.mn/en)
Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Mongolia's largest copper and gold mining company, is a strategic partnership between the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill Resources and Rio Tinto. Located in the Umnugobi, Oyu Tolgoi has commissioned Concentrator plant in December, 2012 and commenced shipments of copper concentrate in July of 2013. As the biggest single investment in Mongolian history, Oyu Tolgoi already is a major driver of the country’s economy.
Oyu Tolgoi is managed by Rio Tinto, which is investing global expertise and cutting-edge technology to help develop Mongolia’s mining industry and ensure Oyu Tolgoi is one of the world’s most advanced mines. Oyu Tolgoi is developing a nationwide vocational training programme, regional infrastructure, and is committed to ensuring more than 90 per cent Mongolian national employment and a strong Mongolian supplier base. These programmes will help drive economic growth for generations to come.
Oyu Tolgoi’s core commitment is to a safe work place and setting a new standard in environmental care.
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