Waste Management

Syncrude’s waste management program is guided by the 3-R philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle. Our goals are to continually reduce the quantity of waste generated by our operation and to dispose of non-recyclable waste materials in a safe, environmentally sound manner, while ensuring compliance with all applicable legislation.

In addition to realizing environmental benefits, our adherence to the 3-R philosophy saves money through reduced costs for raw materials, as well as for containment, transportation and disposal of waste. Syncrude is committed to demonstrating continued leadership in this area.

Creating Value From Waste

Over the past few years, Syncrude has identified areas in which waste streams can be transformed into products that provide further economic benefit while decreasing impacts on the environment. This includes mineral recovery from waste tailings (as discussed in our 2003 Sustainability Report at www.syncrude.com). A third party is pursuing mineral recovery opportunities in agreement with Syncrude.

In 2006, a significant step will be taken to recover waste sulphur and ammonia streams and use these to manufacture fertilizer for agricultural markets. A third party has built an ammonium sulphate fertilizer plant on the Syncrude site that will commence operation in the second quarter of 2006. It will use as its feedstock waste sulphur and ammonia captured from our operations.

Cardboard Recycling

An accumulation of cardboard packaging left over from Syncrude’s Stage 3 upgrader expansion has found its way to recycling facilities thanks to the recent purchase of two cardboard compactors. The new compactors enabled an increase in the amount of paper sent for recycle from 10.4 tonnes in 2004 to 57.8 tonnes in 2005; these facilities position us for increased cardboard recycling in future years.

Waste Management