Efficient Water Supply | Recycling | Renewable Energy | Waste Reduction | Sustainability
Responsible Products | Future Energy Saving

"A consistent commitment to the environment is a significant part of everything we do at River Sands. From the continuous planting of trees and the use of renewable energy at our facilities to the design of new ‘green’ products, we aim to continually consider and be informed by the environment."  Peter James, Managing Director.

These are just some of our initiatives:

EFFICIENT WATER SUPPLY AND USAGE
Since its inception, River Sands has always relied on its own water supply to service the manufacturing facilities. Rain water and water run-off is collected via ponds, tank farms and a dam on our 300 hectare property at Carbrook. The water is then treated on-site and utilized within our offices and manufacturing plant.

One of the dams where water is collected
and utilised within the manufacturing plant
and offices.

RECYCLING
Utilising Scrap Materials
River Sands have participated in a responsible program of recycling for many years. Not only do we use recycled material in some of our packaging, and recycle timber pallets, but one of our main product lines, CCS Pigment Concentrates (used for colouring concrete and masonry) are manufactured from scrap steel.

Use of By-Products
Two major components of the cement we use in our products, Fly Ash and Silica Fume, are by-products from power generation and furnace operation facilities. Fly ash is generally captured from the chimneys of power plants and silica fume is the smoke that results from the production of silicon metal or ferrosilicon alloys.

Using both fly ash and silica fume to supplement Portland Cement improves the properties of concrete, and stops these by-products becoming landfill. The replacement of Portland cement with fly ash also reduces the greenhouse gas foot print of concrete.

RENEWABLE ENERGY
To ensure energy efficiency within our main manufacturing facility, only recycled waste oil from Fuel Recovery Tanks is used. The oil is used in our sand drying machines.


WASTE REDUCTION
Disintegrating Plastic Bags
CCS Pigment Concentrates come in bio-degradable bags which are simply added into a concrete mix without having to be opened or poured. The bags disintegrate when mixed into the concrete leaving no waste bags to dispose of into the environment.

Recovery of Slimes
Within our sand plant operations, we have also recently installed specialized pumps to fully recover our slimes (fine particles of sand) that are returned to our dredge ponds during the sand manufacturing process. The recovery of these fine sand particles reduces overburden as well as the impact on the pond environment.

LAND SUSTAINABILITY
Supporting Local Farmers
We believe that working together with our neighbouring farmers assists in sustaining not only the environment but the broader agricultural community. That is why, over the past twenty years River Sands has given local sugar cane farmers free access to farm and utilise various parcels of land surrounding our sand plant at Eagleby.

Planting and Preserving Trees
Over the past thirty years, almost 10,000 trees have been planted at our manufacturing site in Carbrook and Sand Plant at Eagleby, both south of Brisbane. Driven by Managing Director Peter James, a careful balance of native and non-native species have been sourced and planted to not only sustain but encourage the different wildlife from around the local area.

According to local bird watching clubs, many of these trees and the surrounding landscape are home to over 90 different species of birds.


Wild birds continue to make the
300 hectare facility home.


RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS
Low VOC Sealers
Our NATA certified laboratory and technical staff have recently developed a range of concrete and masonry sealers that meet the new Australian Building Code. These sealers contain low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and are less harmful to the environment.

Bio-Retention Sand
To assist Councils and Developers plan for water sensitive urban design, River Sands have developed special bio-retention sand blends which help to capture and filter rain and stormwater run-off for surrounding vegetation. Water is usually collected within perforated under-drains for discharge and is used for grass and landscaped areas located within private property, parklands, easements, carparks and along roadway corridors.
 
 

Heat Reflective Coatings
River Sands are distributors of the unique Acryloc Roofcote Supa Cool insulating and heat reflective roof membrane system. The RoofCote Supacool System uses advanced thermilate technology to effectively insulate the roof, together with special pigments that reflect radiant heat. The coating works to reduce the temperature within the building and significantly reduces air-conditioning costs.
 
 

Renders for Energy Efficient Material Systems
Our new division, Render Systems Australia have recently devoted extensive resources to the research and development of a new range of renders and coatings specifically designed for energy efficient materials, such as polystyrene light weight walls. The renders and coatings further increase the insulating properties of the wall and structure to thereby reduce greenhouse emissions.

FUTURE ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMS
Over the coming years, River Sands will continue with these initiatives and implement several more projects to improve our energy consumption and other effects on the environment. A large number of our staff are currently involved in a formal program of formulating smarter and more efficient control and operating procedures within all sites and offices. These models of efficiency will ultimately eliminate waste, improve energy consumption and assist with sustainable growth.