The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association honored the winners of the 2015 Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards at its ConcreteWorks Conference & Expo held in San Antonio in late September. Cosponsored by Concrete Products, the awards program offers producers national recognition for protecting the environment and maintaining sound environmental management practices.
“These plants have demonstrated that they are the ‘best of the best’ when it comes to being good stewards of the environment,” says Gary Mullings, NRMCA senior vice president of operations and compliance.
NRMCA President Robert Garbini adds that “This is another example of the ready mixed concrete industry’s goal of continuous environmental excellence. These winning entries clearly demonstrate the incorporation of environmental management systems into their plants’ operations.”
The NRMCA Operations, Environmental and Safety Committee and its Environmental Task Group underscore how award candidates have not only met, but surpassed governmental compliance requirements and demonstrated commitments through plant and staff investment. Eligible plants include those sites under NRMCA producer members located in the U.S., its territories or Canada. Environmental Excellence Award entries are divided into categories based on 2013 production volumes: A for plants producing less than 25,000 yd.; B, 25,000 to 50,000 yd.; C, 50,000 yd. to 100,000 yd.; D, 100,001 to 200,000 yd.; and, E, 200,000-plus yd.
Entries consist of an electronic narrative and images covering 11 evaluation criteria, including site aesthetics, documented plant procedures, training and employee involvement, air- and water-pollution control methods, noise-abatement measures, community relations, operating challenges, and overall management commitment. A panel of regulatory officials, industry and environmental consultants judge the entries.
Any NRMCA member company in good standing, producing ready mixed concrete from a fixed plant location in the U.S., its territories or Canada that has operated in full compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations for a minimum of two years is eligible to enter the Environmental Excellence Awards program. Since contestants’ participation is vital to sustaining the competition, producers are encouraged to enter their plants for the 2016 program. Entry forms will be posted after the first of the year at www.nrmca.org.