Best References: Concrete Batch Plants

Concrete batch plants are where sand, gravel, cement, water, and other materials are turned into concrete for the construction of buildings and roads. Traditionally, these plants could cause air quality concerns from dust, water quality concerns from wash water runoff, and waste concerns from piles of improperly mixed or leftover concrete. Today, plants are developing and implementing methods of recycling bad or leftover concrete, installing new systems to save and treat wash water for reuse, and working to control dust from the site. This sector covers all of these new techniques, as well as the recent practice of adding inert wastes such as coal fly ash and carpet fibers to concrete to reduce raw material usage and keep those materials out of landfills.
Date Last Updated: 6/23/2008

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Case Studies | Fact Sheets | Articles and Reports | Web sites |

Case Studies |

Section Title: Watauga Ready Mix Corporation
Full Title: Case Studies - A compilation of successful waste reduction projects implemented by NC businesses
URL: /01/0056533.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: August 1995
Full Work Author: NC Office of Waste Reduction
Full Title: Case Study - Concrete Manufacturer Reduces Water Use and Solid Waste
URL: /03/02334.pdf
Length: 3 pages
Date: August 1995
Full Work Author: MN Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)
Abstract: This case study examines the closed-loop water recycling system implemented by Fabcon, Inc. Also mentioned is the new air-cooled hydraulic heat exchanger (replacing a water-cooled heat exchanger) and recycling of concrete waste.
Full Title: International Cleaner Production Information Clearinghouse - Case Study #214
URL: /11/10827.htm
Full Work Author: United Nations Environment Programme - Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
Section Title: General Shale Products Corporation
Full Title: Pollution Prevention Success Stories
URL: /02/0112209.pdf
Length: 1 page
Date: 1998
Full Work Author: Tennessee Pollution Prevention Roundtable
Abstract: This concrete block and brick manufacturer uses waste products like bottom ash for ore than half of it's aggregate requirements. Off-spec bricks are ground and marketed for reuse in landscaping and sports fields.
Full Title: Technology Example 5.6 (A)
URL: /16/15403.pdf
Length: 1 page

Fact Sheets |

Full Title: Buy Recycled - Coal Fly Ash
URL: /03/02935.pdf
Length: 4 pages
Date: 1996
Full Work Author: National Recycling Coalition, US EPA Waste Wi$e
Abstract: This brochure describes the many advantages of coal fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion. One of the many advantages is that coal fly ash is used in concrete for construction all over the country, including construction of the 1996 Summer Games Olympic stadium in Atlanta, GA.
Full Title: Cement, Concrete, and the Environment
URL: /14/13598.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: 1997
Abstract: This document discusses the environmental benefits and attributes of concrete.
Full Title: Environmental Fact Sheet - EPA Guideline for Purchasing Cement and Concrete Containing Fly Ash
URL: /24/23799.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: January 1992
Full Work Author: US Environmental Protection Agency, Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Abstract: This fact sheet describes EPA's procurement guideline for purchasing cement and concrete containing fly ash.
Full Title: EPA Guideline for Purchasing Cement and Concrete Containing Fly Ash - Environmental Fact Sheet
URL: /01/00530.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: January 1992
Full Work Author: US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Abstract: This fact sheet presents guidelines for purchasing cement and concrete that contain fly ash.
Section Title: Precast Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
Full Title: First South Florida Sustainable Building Conference & Exhibition
URL: /19/18213.pdf
Length: 5 pages
Date: 4/97
Full Work Author: Dade County - Dade Green Coalition
Section Author: Abbate, William V.
Abstract: Precast autoclaved aerated concrete is a building material which consists of various sized elements that form a complete building system.
Full Title: Recycling Concrete Saves Resources, Eliminates Dumping
URL: /14/13602.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: 1997
Abstract: This document discusses environmental and other benefits from recycling concrete and generally addresses specifications for recycled concrete
Full Title: The Greening of Concrete
URL: /13/12934.htm
Full Work Author: Dixon, Christopher
Abstract: Cement, one of the main ingredients in concrete generates CO2. For each ton of cement manufactured, one ton of CO2 is put into the atmosphere. Each cubic yard of concrete poure, contributes 630 pounds of CO2. Addition of pozzolans (volcanic ash, etc.) to cement can greatly reduce the amount of CO2 when making concrete.

Articles and Reports |

Section Title: Environmentally Friendly Solutions for the Disposal of Concrete Wash Water from Ready Mixed Concrete Operations
Full Title: CIB W89 Beijing International Conference
URL: /06/05817.pdf
Length: 5 pages
Section Author: Chini, S. Abdol; Mbwambo, William J.
Abstract: Disposal of waste water from Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) operations is a great concern of the ready-mixed concrete producers. Most of the traditional disposal systems are no longer environmentally acceptable. Alternative solution is to recycle the waste water and use it as batch water to make fresh concrete. Research and the experience of the RMC industry indicate that the performance of concrete is not affected by the use of recycled water. Relatively new stabilizing admixtures also are being used to reduce wastes from batch plant operations.
Section Title: Cement and Concrete: Environmental Considerations
Full Title: Environmental Building News
URL: /10/09944.htm
Date: March/April 1993
Abstract: Concrete and other cementitious materials have both environmental advantages and disadvantages. This article takes a look at how these materials are made, then reviews a number of environmental considerations relating to their productions, use and eventual disposal. Includes information on air emissions, water pollution, solid waste, and health concerns related to cement and concrete.
Full Title: Knelson Concrete Recovery
URL: /19/18264.pdf
Full Work Author: Knelson Concentrators
Abstract: Government and environmental groups have had concerns over potential problems of high-ph toxic, alkaline run-off caused by waste cement/concrete and some concrete wastewaters. This article demonstrates a concrete production technology that offers ready-mix producers a zero-discharge option and makes it possible to recover as much as 100% of waste concrete.
Section Title: Fundamental Studies for the Utilization of Carpet Waste
Full Title: NTC Quarterly Report - Period Ending March 31, 1993
URL: /05/04039.pdf
Length: 1 page
Date: 1993
Section Author: Polk, M., Dr.; Kumar, S., Dr.;Wang, Y., Dr.
Abstract: The long term objectives are to develop and demonstrate new technologies for the conversion of carpet waste into useful materials and thereby prevent the unnecessary landfilling of potentially useful materials.

Web sites |

Section Title: Cement and Concrete: Environmental Considerations
Full Title: BuildingGreen.com
URL: http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?fileName=020201b.xml
Full Work Author: Environmental Building News
Abstract: This article examines the environmental impacts and concerns of cement and concrete. It addresses how cement and concrete are made, the raw materials used, energy consumption, CO2 and other emissions, water pollution, solid waste, human health concerns, and contains a checklist that provides practical suggestions for dealing with these impacts and concerns. Concrete has many environmental advantages, including durability, longevity, heat storage capability, and (in general) chemical inertness. But cement production is very energy intensive--cement is among the most energy-intensive materials used in the construction industry and a major contributor to CO2 in the atmosphere.

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Content provided by N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance and Waste Reduction Resource Center through a grant from the EPA.