Quarries going green

Quarries all over the country are starting to embrace sustainable-development principles, environmental management and energy efficiency to a much greater degree than ever before. To a certain extent, this mindset is being driven by some of the major corporations serving the industry. Caterpillar was first on the bandwagon, but many other companies have followed suit. Komatsu just published its guidelines for biodiesel use, Volvo's hybrid loader was a big hit at ConExpo-Con/Agg, and the president of Baldor Electric Motors just announced the company's intention to reduce its environmental footprint. At its corporate press event at ConExpo-Con/Agg, a Caterpiller executive even proclaimed global warming "the key issue of our time." NSSGA has also developed guidelines for sustainability for its members. For quarries, going green is good business. There are important community relations and permitting implications to a green-quarry strategy. But I should also add that many quarries have quietly done much over the years in the name of protecting the environment, from providing a refuge for wildlife on their property to executing great reclamation plans. They just never talked about it much. Well, it's time to get talking. Pit & Quarry has started a monthly "Green" page in the magazine, and we will be featuring news about quarries operating in an environmentally proactive manner. You can send your items to me at mkuhar@questex.com. Your comment?