Sep 7 2009
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has recognized Aggregate Industries with the 2009 Grand Prize Award for Environmental Excellence. The award offers concrete producers national recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sound management practices at their operations. The 2009 award recognizes the outstanding environmental achievements at the Company's Bladensburg Ready Mixed Plant, Bladensburg, Maryland (Mid-Atlantic Region).
Aggregate Industries' Bladensburg Ready Mixed Plant began operations in March of 2008. The plant was designed and launched with environmental excellence in mind. It is part of a complex of Aggregate Industries' facilities located in a heavy industrial zone including a hot mix asphalt plant and an existing aggregate rail terminal.
Colocating the plant and the rail terminal allows for a minimization of fuel consumption and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the need for truck transport of the raw stone required to produce concrete. The plant maintains rigorous written procedures addressing environmental compliance, performance, and inspection, and the Company ensures that employees are provided training and are involved in the environmental policies and programs in place at the facility.
The Bladensburg Ready Mixed Concrete Plant's Environmental Management System focuses on all elements of sound environmental practice and ensures that the facility maintains rigorous standards for environmental excellence. Procedures have been put in place to ensure significant water and waste management, which include recycling, reclaiming, and conserving water used on site. The environmental management plan also accounts for strict air quality management and includes a specific community engagement strategy to ensure that the company is a good corporate neighbor and is involved in the surrounding community.
Will Glusac, President and CEO of Aggregate Industries stated, "Our company is committed to not only being environmentally compliant in all aspects of our operations, but to be the industry leader in ensuring that environmental excellence is a stated and achieved goal for every site and every employee."
Joel Nickel, US Environmental and Land Service Manager of Aggregate Industries stated, "The Bladensburg Plant is a perfect example of how environmental stewardship and operational excellence work together seamlessly."
The Bladensburg Plant was the first plant to be Green Star Certified by the National Ready Mix Concrete Association in the State of Maryland and also maintains the prestigious ISO 14001 environmental management certification as well.
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is the leading industry advocate for the ready mix concrete industry. Their mission is to provide exceptional value for their members by responsibly representing and serving the entire ready mixed concrete industry through leadership, promotion, education and partnering to ensure ready mixed concrete is the building material of choice.
"Aggregate Industries is proud of the work and commitment shown by all of the employees who have made the Bladensburg Ready Mix Plant a model of environmental excellence and we are honored to have been selected as this year's recipient of the NRMCA Environmental Excellence Award," noted Glusac.