SUSTAINABILITY
WE ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR CONCRETE EFFICIENCY GAINS NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE
As a concrete material producer and supplier, R.W. Sidley continually investigates and implements sustainability initiatives that lower our carbon footprint while finding innovative ways to produce the concrete products our customers need to build safer, greener, more durable buildings and infrastructure.
When evaluating the performance of any material, consider how its raw materials and construction will impact your project and the community in which it is built.
R.W. Sidley offers a range of sustainable concrete products, including with recycled crushed concrete. Our concrete and masonry products are engineered with sustained performance and thermal properties in mind. Building with concrete extends the life of a structure and reduces a building’s heating and cooling loads, helping to lower HVAC-related energy consumption and emissions.
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We are proud to play a key role in our customers’ green building design initiatives.
NRMCA Green-Star™ Recognized Plant
R.W. Sidley’s North Canton plant was the first National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) Green-Star™ certified plant in Ohio. The program is a plant-specific certification that recognizes companies that demonstrate rigorous and sustainable actions in reducing environmental impacts and improved plant efficiencies. It uses an Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as a tool for benchmarking and continual improvement and as a means to recognize those who adhere to essential principles of the industry’s environmental and sustainability movement.
NRMCA EPD Program Certified
To help our customers meet the latest requirements in green building rating systems such Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED), R.W. Sidley participated in the NRMCA certified Industry-Wide EPD Program. An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a communication document that quantifies environmental impact data from manufacturing a product. It is a summarized report extracted from an in-depth Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that complies with the ISO 14040 series. Although environmental disclosure can be found in various reports, they are most often cited as an Industry-Average EPD, or preferably, a Product-Specific EPD.
EPDs are being specified in green building standards and codes (LEED, IGCC) v4, advocacy initiatives (Architecture 2030 Challenge for Products), and even referenced in state and local legislation. These market-based and regulatory initiatives are driving an increase of EPDs in many industries and product categories.
R.W. Sidley has the training and experience necessary to help you with your LEED concrete project submittals. We can provide accurate documentation of regional raw materials and recycled content used throughout your construction processes.
Why build with concrete?
Concrete is one of the strongest and most sustainable building materials, proven to provide structural support with lifespans up to three times longer than other materials. Concrete offers substantial construction advantages:
Low maintenance – Today’s concrete masonry units (CMUs) offer lasting beauty and structural integrity. They resist moisture and pest infiltration better than wood, requiring significantly less upkeep. And unlike steel, concrete cannot rust.
LEED friendly – It is widely known that concrete and CMUs are energy efficient, contributing to reductions in heating and cooling energy waste. Their high thermal mass slows the heat transfer rate, keeping interiors warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Being made from an abundant source of locally sourced natural materials, and sometimes recycled content, many of these products are engineered to fulfill LEED requirements.
Acoustically sound – Walls built with concrete benefit from a natural soundproofing layer ideal for urban environments or buildings requiring quiet environments.
More fire-resistant – Compared to wood and other building materials, concrete and CMUs resist flames for longer. Specifying their use can give people more time to escape a building on fire and reduce structural damage.
Weatherproof – Structures built with concrete and CMUs can withstand high-wind events like tornadoes, especially if the buildings have been well maintained over time.