The concept of sustainable building incorporates and integrates a variety of strategies during the design, construction, and operation of building projects. The use of green building materials and products represents one important strategy in the design of a building.

Green building materials are composed of renewable, rather than nonrenewable resources. Green materials are environmentally responsible because impacts are considered over the life of the product. Depending upon project-specific goals, an assessment of green materials may involve an evaluation of one or more of the criteria listed below:

·      Resource efficiency

·      Indoor air quality

·      Energy efficiency

·      Water conservation

·      Affordability

The World Is Changing

And so are we. As the largest western regional concrete products production and distribution company in North America, Basalite Concrete Products is committed to reducing our environmental footprint. The company is a proud supporter of the United States Green Building Council and is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of our business by 15% by 2020, as compared to our 2009 baseline. To reduce our emissions, we have accelerated the replacement/retrofit of our off-road diesel & gasoline-powered material handling fleet to comply with California’s AB 32/Global Warming Solutions Act; and are installing new, state-of-the-art concrete curing systems in our plants. We are also reducing the energy we use in our facilities, exploring the use of renewable energy, and installing process-water recycling systems in facilities that have been using settling/holding ponds.

In addition to our climate commitment, we’ve committed to recovering at least 90% of our packaging (namely, wood shipping pallets), and have reduced by 30% the fiber content of the paper bags used for dry concrete mixes.

Finally, with the addition of Epic Plastics to our company, Basalite is able to offer a broad array of landscape products comprised of 100% recycled content.

Sustainable Products

Support sustainable site development. We offer a growing selection of permeable, interlocking concrete paver systems

Support energy use reduction and atmospheric protection. Concrete masonry products create durable, efficient, and long-lasting structures. Additionally, concrete masonry products are typically VOC-free

Support material and resource conservation. Manufactured concrete products are designed to meet strict standards of safety and strength, even with ultra-high recycled content

Sustainable Practices

Electricity consumption efficiency. Our factories are transitioning to high efficiency electric motors and light fixtures. In addition, we are studying the feasibility of installing a 2MW solar power plant at our Dixon, CA campus

Fossil fuel combustion efficiency. We are replacing antiquated concrete curing systems with state-of-the-art vapor generators and engineered curing chambers (well insulated and airtight)

Raw material consumption efficiency. Lean philosophy has led to redesigned products (improving manufacturability) and processes, thus reducing waste

Water consumption efficiency. We now recycle process water instead of allowing it to evaporate in settling ponds

Waste stream reduction. We divert concrete waste (rubble) from the landfill by using it as a raw material (aggregate substitute)