They're Pouring (Very Green) Concrete!

Any minute now, the construction crews will begin pouring the cement that will form the foundation of the building. This process will take a couple of weeks, but is among the first real “green elements” that we can showcase.

The cement we’re using will be made up of about 50% fly ash, which is a waste product from manufacturing that would likely otherwise end up in a landfill. We’re really proud that our team has managed to use a 50% mixture, which is higher than the 40% required for a LEED point in the US Green Building Council Guidelines.

There are three main benefits of using cement with fly ash:

First, it helps divert some of the 37 million tons of fly ash that would otherwise consume space in landfills. Fly ash does nothing good for the environment of landfills and simply takes up space.

Secondly, it helps reduce the volume of Portland Cement required. The production of Portland Cement is highly energy intensive and a major contributor of greenhouse gasses.

Finally, the cement itself is stronger. That makes for a more durable, and reliable, building foundation.

So stop by the corner of Third Street and Court Street and watch the show. And remember, even the cement we’re pouring in the ground is adding to the environmental friendliness of the building.