Rio Tinto devises sustainable aluminum label

Global mining and metals producing firm Rio Tinto says it is “setting a new standard in transparency and traceability for the aluminum industry with the launch of START,” which it calls a “nutrition label for responsible aluminum.”

Rio Tinto says START has been designed to help its customers meet the demand for transparency on where and how the products they purchase are made. “It aims to empower end-users to make informed choices about the products they buy, enabling them to contribute to a sustainable future and to differentiate between end products based on their environmental, social and governance credentials,” states the company.

The metals and minerals company lists 10 criteria detailed on the label, including recycled content. The scrap percentage information joins “carbon footprint, water use, energy sources, community investment, safety performance, diversity in leadership, business integrity, regulatory compliance and transparency” as the criteria.

In late 2020, Rio Tinto announced it will be installing a scrap-fed aluminum remelt furnace in Quebec to “focus on enhancing the recycling solutions it offers to customers,” according to a company vice president.

“START is a significant step forward for the aluminum industry as the first offering of this kind, setting a new standard on transparency, traceability and responsible production from mine to market,” comments Rio Tinto Aluminium Chief Executive Alf Barrios. “Our vision is that our customers can showcase the sustainability of the aluminum they purchase from Rio Tinto to their consumers, delivering full value from our responsible production.”