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In 2000, as part of PCA’s renewed environment and energy strategic plan, the Portland Cement Association initiated a program designed to recognize individual North American facilities that have shown a commitment to continuous environmental and energy efficiency improvement.
PCA and Cement Americas
magazine presented the first Cement Industry Environmental
Awards in 2002 to the winners for 2001. The awards program is open to any cement manufacturing plant in Canada, United States, and Mexico. The awards honor activities conducted during the previous calendar year. The judges for the awards represent groups within and outside the industry such as the World Resources Institute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of State, and the World Wildlife Fund. Additional judges come from PCA, Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, and the National Ready Mix Concrete Association. Each judge is independent from the cement manufacturers competing for the awards.
Award Categories
Environmental Performance
This category honors those facilities that take steps beyond those contained in environmental laws, regulations, permits, and requirements to minimize their impact on the environment. Recognition for this award is given for pollution prevention, waste minimization, distinctive environmental controls, environmental management systems, and facility recognition.
Land Stewardship
Efforts to protect and enhance the surrounding land through landscaping, species protection, and remediation / rehabilitation of quarries, wetlands, and other features are recognized in this category.
Outreach
Facilities that strive to enhance community, employee, and government relations through communication, partnerships, voluntary efforts, contributions, environmental education, and other measures are honored in this award. The efforts must go beyond public relations to achieve genuine environmental improvements through action and education.
Innovation
This category recognizes the development and application of innovative technologies and techniques relevant to environmental protection or energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
This category focuses on energy planning, applications of efficient technologies and practices, and climate change mitigation efforts.
Overall Environmental Excellence
A facility that demonstrates excellence in several or each of the above categories is recognized with this award.
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