Ensuring the future for tin - The tin sustainability project

Tin is a versatile substance which has an important role to play in many environmentally friendly technologies. The metal, and its inorganic compounds, are generally considered to be of low toxicity but work is necessary to clearly and scientifically demonstrate that fact in more detail than ever before. Consumers now demand not only a low cost, reliable product but one that they know has the minimum impact on the environment and health.

The concepts of sustainability are of ever increasing importance in modern society. Tin producers are committed to the environmental, economic and social developments necessary for sustainability, and aim to ensure the future of tin and those whose livelihoods depend upon it through the recently initiated ITRI-Tin Technology Sustainability Project.

The project encompasses a number of activities aimed at demonstrating the safe production, use, re-use and recycling of the metal and its inorganic compounds. It will generate information to increase the understanding of the tin industry and the many vital applications of the metal, and will improve the scientific understanding of the interaction of tin with man and the environment.