When it comes to safety in phosphate production, the United States doesn’t mess around. The phosphate industry operates under stringent and comprehensive laws and standards at the federal and state level.
When phosphate production is complete, a byproduct is created known as Phosphogyspum (PG), which federal regulation requires be stored in structures called gypstacks. Gypstack systems are a heavily regulated federal requirement by the EPA and have been for over 30 years.
PG doesn’t have to just sit in gypstacks – it can be recycled. Today, more than twenty countries recycle their phosphogypsum.. Recycling phosphogypsum is good for the economy, good for the environment and good for infrastructure, too. It’s a win-win-win.
1.7 billion tons of PG is stored in gypstacks today. PG use has been extensively studied and over 55 benefits have been discovered. Recycling PG would mean less waste, a more sustainable economy, and more land for conservation. It’s time to stop stacking it, and start recycling it.