Recognizing the Three Pillars of Sustainability
Concrete’s versatility and use in many green building applications makes it an excellent material for sustainable designs.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, PCA's the second annual Sustainable Leadership Awards honor government leaders who advance sustainable development in their communities through the use of concrete and cement-based products.

• View 2009 Sustainable Leadership Awards news release. (Click on the individual winners for additional information, including photos of their local award presentation.)
• Read case studies on the winning projects and policies.
• Award background information.
• View the 2008 Winners
  
  

A wide range of sustainable benefits are made possible by concrete and other cement-based products. This list illustrates why concrete provides innovative solutions to sustainable development.

10. You can hold the loudest parties on the block.
The greater mass of concrete walls can reduce sound penetrating through a wall by more than 80 percent compared with wood or steel frame construction, improving the quality of life for occupants. More.

9. Concrete keeps on going, and going, and going ...
Concrete can be readily recycled and reused as base materials for roads, sidewalks and concrete slabs, sparing the use of virgin materials. More.

8. Our plants get greener every day.
The cement industry has invested in new technologies and equipment to improve energy efficiency at its manufacturing facilities by 33 percent from a 1975 baseline. The Environment and Energy Awards program honors facilities in North America that go beyond regulations and local laws and government regulations to improve environmental performance. More

7. The Big Bad Wolf can't blow your concrete house down.
Concrete stands up to the fury of nature, and will not rust, rot, or burn.  It is the most widely used building material in the world, and concrete buildings have withstood the test of time for more than 2,000 years. More.

6. Decorative concrete provides beauty that lasts a lifetime.
Using decorative concrete limits finishing materials and harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and provides a high-quality, durable, low maintenance surface. More.

5. From sidewalks to symphony halls, concrete makes virtually any design possible.
Concrete is an incredibly versatile material that can create any shape or size building or home, from big box retail centers to elegant building spires. The Third Annual PCA Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World International Design Competition drew innovative entries that pushed the design envelope from nearly 800 student teams around the world. View news release at www.cement.org

4. With pervious concrete, puddles are a thing of the past.
Pervious concrete allows rainwater to naturally filter through it, preventing deposits of oil, grease and other contaminants from entering storm drains and going directly into the water supply.  This technology is recognized by the U.S. EPA as a as a best practice for stormwater management. More.

3. Concrete: Keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
With energy costs on the rise, this winter promises to be one of the most costly ever for consumers.  Buildings with exterior concrete walls, also called mass walls, utilize less energy to heat and cool than similarly insulated buildings with wood or steel frame walls. More.

There are very few, if any, construction materials that offer concrete's wide range of sustainable and comprehensive environmental benefits, but the industry is not content to simply have a green end product. U.S. cement manufacturers are dedicated to continuously challenging manufacturing policies and procedures to improve energy efficiency and minimize emissions.

• View our 2008 Report on Sustainable Manufacturing at www.cement.org
• View PCA's video: "Did You Know?"