Sustainability

A PRACTICAL Approach for Concrete Producers

Doug Ruhlin
g
Resource Management Associates
www.RMAgreen.com

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 1 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 Sustainable 
p
Development

Vs.
Vs

Sustainable 
bl
Practices

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 2 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 Why be
Why be
sustainable
t i bl ?

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 Objectives
j
• Minimize Energy Use
A Very Long Use 
A Very Long Use
• R d
Reduce Emissions
E i i Phase

• Conserve Water Recycling
Phase
• Minimize Waste
Minimize Waste
• Increase Recycled  Material Acquisition,
Production, and
Content Construction Phases

Life Cycle Perspective
y p

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 4 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 5 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 D fi
Define
sus•tain
t i •abil
bil•i•ty
t

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 6 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 7 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 8 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 9 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 Don’t wait for 
sustainability
to be 
delivered to 
you on a
you on a 
silver platter

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 10 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 What Does Sustainability Mean to the Concrete Industry?

• Product

• Process

• Plant

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2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 11 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 How can I get there?
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 Consider the obvious
Consider the obvious

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 SCMs

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 Concrete Materials
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle

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 Water

• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Stormwater 
Harvesting

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 Energy Use

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 Supply Chain
pp y

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 Environmental Compliance
Does Environmental Compliance = Sustainability?

Consider NRMCA Green‐Star Certification!

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 19 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 NRMCA Sustainable Plant Certification

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 20 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 Targets Per Unit of Concrete Produced* 

• Embodied energy: • Waste:
– 20% reduction by 2020
20% reduction by 2020 – 30% reduction by 2020
30% reduction by 2020
– 30% reduction by 2030 – 50% reduction by 2030
• Carbon footprint: • Recycled content:
– 20% reduction by 2020
% d b – 200% increase by 2020
200% increase by 2020
– 30% reduction by 2030 – 400% increase by 2030
• Potable water:
– 10% reduction by 2020
– 20% reduction by 2030
*from 2007 Levels
*from 2007 Levels

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2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 21 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
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 So What To Do?

1 Define sustainability (& 
1. Define sustainability (&
communicate it)
2 Don
2. Don’tt wait for others to provide 
wait for others to provide
YOU with sustainability 
3 Seek available opportunities
3. Seek available opportunities
4. GET STARTED!!!

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 23 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
 Doug Ruhlin
doug@RMAgreen.com
www RMAgreen com
www.RMAgreen.com

2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference 24 ©National Ready Mixed Concrete Association