MPA publishes new Water Strategy
Latest strategy document outlines key measures to help members minimize waste consumption and protect the environment
THE Mineral Products Association (MPA) has published its new Water Strategy. Outlining the industry’s vision, the strategy document sets out three aims: to minimize water consumption, to prioritize use of the most sustainable water sources; and to protect the water environment by sustainably managing water being used and passing through its members’ sites.
Achieving these aims will help the mineral products industry to improve its understanding of the amount of water consumed and demonstrate where measures have been implemented to reduce consumption, use the most sustainable water sources and maintain water quality.
The Water Strategy applies to the entire product life cycle, from cradle to grave, to ensure the consumption of water is minimized at every stage possible. Members are increasingly committed to designing products and solutions that will contribute to sustainable development.
The Strategy will be reviewed in 2020 by which time the measures set out in the document will have provided baseline data and a greater understanding of the industry’s interaction with the water environment.
‘The MPA and its members recognize the importance of the UK’s water resources and the need for sustainable management to be adopted across every aspect of the mineral product sectors operations, from extraction, through to product manufacture and use,’ commented Nicola Owen, MPA’s environment and waste policy executive.
‘Our new Water Strategy, developed by the MPA’s Water Working Group, defines a framework that will help operators to minimize water consumption, prioritize the use of the most sustainable water sources and protect the water environment.
‘Collectively, the measures established by this Strategy will allow our members to demonstrate how their interaction with the water environment contributes to the mineral product sector’s wider sustainable development objectives and, in turn, our ability to maintain a steady and adequate supply of the essential minerals required to support economic growth.’
Nigel Jackson (pictured), chief executive of the MPA, added: ‘The development of the Water Strategy reflects the MPA members’ commitment to our new vision and Charter, including our seven strategic priorities of which resource use is one. We think few industries have managed to advance their collective thinking to such a strategic level.
‘Our members should be commended for taking the lead in enabling us to publish this important strategy which shows how seriously we continue to take environmental issues.’
You can download a copy of the strategy document below.
