The Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA) held its annual Environmental, Sustainability & Safety Seminar on Oct. 19-20 at The Westin Irving Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.
Attendees heard from industry experts on climate change, air quality monitoring, truck safety and TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) permitting regulations. Members also learned about a Texan by Nature (TxN) program that encourages private companies to adopt voluntary best practices that are sustainable and make good business sense.
“The value to aggregate companies is immense in terms of the goodwill that is generated within the community,” says Jenny Burden, director of development at (TxN).
TxN acts as an accelerator for conservation groups and a strategic partner for business, according to TACA, and unites conservation and business leaders who believe Texas’ prosperity is dependent on the conservation of its natural resources.
TxN is working with TACA member companies to develop conservation projects, such as the use of a closed-loop water recovery system and vegetated buffer zones – two practices many TACA members are already implementing in smaller measures, according to the association. Companies that adopt TxN initiatives will receive certification by the group, which can then be used to highlight their sustainability programs.
TACA president and CEO Josh Leftwich agrees that the value of conservation projects cannot be overstated.
“While job one is to work diligently to supply the materials that are vital to Texans, including aggregates, concrete and cement, it is also a clear advantage to our member companies to work with Texan by Nature and local communities to conserve our precious resources,” Leftwich says. “It’s a win-win proposition.”
