We have always been very concerned about our social and environmental impact. Together with our suppliers, we are constantly searching for better ways to improve workers’ health and safety, reducing waste, recycling and respecting our neighbors and the environment.
This ongoing effort begins with the quarries that are using the latest generation of cutting explosives using short-delay blasting caps that eliminates all vibrations in the air. The vast majority of drilling machines are equipped with dust containment systems.
Processing facilities are near the quarries, thus reducing transportation costs as well as traffic and noise disturbance to populated areas. Whenever possible, loading and handling equipment is either electric or running on natural gas to reduce air pollution. Diesel compressors have been replaced with fixed electric ones, greatly reducing noise and energy consumption. Waste such as oils, tires, metals, wood, plastic and paper is sorted and recycled. Pallets are made of either recycled plastic or wood from sustainable forests.
When working quarries are closed, the smaller ones are filled with earth and returned to agricultural use, the larger ones are banked at 45 degrees and soon become reservoirs or small lakes for recreational use.
Using limestone in architectural projects is a wise choice. The first benefit is the low carbon impact due to the small energy footprint used to create the product. Second, is that the long term life cycle of the product reduces its rate of replacement thus slowing down the depletion of natural resources, energy included, and reducing the associated waste.