What A Waste: Boron – An Ancient Element with Modern Challenges
Did you know that boron compounds, like borax, have been used for over 4,000 years?
Ancient Egyptians used borax in mummification and as a flux for soldering gold. Fast forward to today, and boron is still a vital element in industries ranging from glass production to semiconductors.
Boron’s unique properties make it indispensable to our modern world. Its thermal and electrical conductivity allow it to be used as a doping agent in semiconductor production, creating p-type semiconductors. These are fundamental building blocks in modern electronics, used in devices like diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits to enable controlled electrical conduction and switching
However, the same versatility that makes boron useful also makes it a challenging waste to dispose of. In Western Australia, boron compounds are classified as controlled waste by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
At Tellus, we are licensed to accept boron compounds for permanent disposal at our Sandy Ridge geological repository.
In our modern world, we can’t live without semi-conductors. But, with disposal at Sandy Ridge, we can live without their waste.