Reducing Our Impact

Environmental stewardship is a core value embedded in our business, strategy and governance structure.  We bring together engineers, geologists, hydrologists and environmental specialists to develop the best methods to protect, restore and preserve land that countless people, ecosystems and wildlife depend on.

In 2018, we maintained a citation-free environmental inspection rate of over 98 percent from state and federal agencies. We are focused on protecting plant and animal habitats, water and air.

• Deploying systems to collect stormwater runoff for use in the production process.
• Capturing and recycling water throughout the production process.
• Using computerized plant control systems to manage and reduce water use.
• Partnering with government agencies to benefit local water levels and water quality.
• Enhancing dust suppression systems and plant designs to improve controls at transfer points.  
• Protecting endangered and threatened species through robust habitat conservation plans.
• Managing our land and production process at our wildlife habitat sites to protect the environment from invasive plant species.
• Upgrading our blue-water ships and preventing transfer of invasive marine species.
• Protecting and preserving cultural and historic resources.
• Promoting environmental stewardship through training and education.

Coupled with our holistic approach to land management and commitment to sustainable operations, our commitment to the environment will continue to lead the industry while reducing our impact on the environment.

We manage our land holistically because mining is an interim use of the land. We have a collective responsibility to the long-term health and sustainability of the environment and our communities. Good stewardship means thoughtful planning to accommodate today’s needs while setting a foundation for the future.

We’re working with governmental and non-governmental partners on innovative projects that will help communities improve access to recreation and wildlife, protect water quality, reduce flooding and ensure safe drinking water supplies for decades to come.

• Designing sites and mine plans to accommodate future land uses that benefit the community.
• Reclaiming mined land into water reservoirs, parks and commercial uses.
• Developing thousands of acres of land mitigation banks to protect listed plant and animal species in their natural habitats in perpetuity.
• Maintaining more than 40 Wildlife Habitat Council certified sites.
• Supporting wildlife and conservation organizations including raptor centers.
• Supplying specialty sand to help communities renourish beaches to benefit wildlife and local economies.
• Developing partnerships to generate renewable energy on-site.
• Harvesting honey at our Friendship and Norcross quarries in Georgia.

Our land management, environmental and operations teams are committed to fostering a safe and mutually beneficial coexistence with nature. Our newest certified wildlife habitat site at the Grandin Sand Plant in Florida, where 100 bird species have been observed at its on-site rookery, received the 2018 Avian Project Award from the Wildlife Habitat Council.

We will continue to re-think and re-imagine how we plan future sites, use them and prepare them with future community and environmental benefits in mind.

All of our operations are well below the Environmental Protection Agency thresholds for reporting and permitting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Our operations are focused on projects and activities that improve operational efficiency to reduce long-term fuel and energy needs. These actions both reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve our long-term profitability. These efforts combined with an ongoing focus on upgrading of older, less efficient mobile equipment have reduced our carbon emissions as a percent of revenue significantly since 2013.

• Submitting comprehensive GHG reduction information to the Carbon Disclosure Project (2018).
• Streamlining our production processes and extending the life cycles of plant equipment.
• Modernizing our mobile equipment fleet with new engines and technology to decrease emissions and increase efficiency.
• Installing Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motors and pumps to reduce energy consumption and wear on equipment.
• Using CarbonCure technology that provides capture and sequestration of CO2 within ready mix concrete.
• Expanding the specification of renewable energy with certain of our electricity suppliers.
• Recycling tires, motor oils, batteries, conveyor belts and other consumables to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
• Installing parts washing stations that use non-hazardous solvents.
• Producing recycled concrete and asphalt paving materials, which are carefully inspected, re-crushed and sized to meet customer specifications for re-use in new projects.
• Managing water in closed-loop systems to recycle upwards of 90 percent or more of a plant’s water use and minimize loss to discharge.

In 2006, our Western Division, headquartered in Greater Los Angeles, was the first aggregates producer to sign on to state legislation that set the stage for California’s planned transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future. We’ll continue to evaluate and employ new technologies to decrease our impact on the environment and increase efficiencies.

We recognize that sustainable operations reduce our climate footprint while serving as one of the most efficient ways to improve profitability through reduced energy costs. It’s a win-win approach, and we intend to continue being a leader in our industry.