Cement
The British Cement Association (BCA) publishes a document detailing the ways the cement industry is minimizing its impact on the environment. Entitled "Working Towards Sustainability," the report is the BCA's second on the subject and can be read in PDF format from www.cementindustry.co.uk.The BCA's four members together produce almost all of the cement used in the UK. Key areas of concern for Britain's cement industry include reducing fossil fuel consumption, emissions control, and the use of sustainable materials. Moreover, the industry endeavors to reduce its waste production by utilizing recycled materials in cement production. The report also eludes briefly to the ways the cement industry has improved overall workplace safety in conjunction with meeting its environmental goals.
From the report I learned not only what the BCA is doing to limit environmental damage. The report also illustrates the environmental issues that are specific to the industry. For example, cement has the potential to be an energy-saving material due to its insulating capabilities. Cement production, however, can leave a heavy footprint on the environment. Raw material extraction and the manufacturing process take their toll on the environment. The industry has fallen short of some of its sustainability goals.
At the same time, the BCA's short- and long-term goals are clearly outlined in the report. One of the most interesting sections of the report deals with the way the cement industry has successfully managed waste. Over the past decade or so, industry waste has been reduced by an admirable amount. Figures are promising, and the report shows that the cement industry continues to work toward reasonable yet financially sound environmental objectives. Finally, the BCA report details health and safety issues that affect cement industry workers. These issues seem out of place in a document about sustainability, but after reading the report I can see how environmental issues can impact the well-being of employees and community members.
