At this year’s CRMCA Fall Workshop, we were proud to recognize Concrete Supply Company’s Raleigh Street Plant with the Environmental Excellence Award, honoring their long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, compliance, and innovative resource management. With 32 years of continuous operation, the Raleigh Street team exemplifies what it means to integrate sustainability into everyday plant practices.

A Culture of Clean, Compliant, and Accountable Operations

The Raleigh Street Plant maintains a strong focus on proactive housekeeping and site cleanliness, keeping the yard clear of debris, ensuring containment basins remain free of accumulated solids, and regularly maintaining landscaping across the property. Their approach is rooted in clear documentation. Each environmental oversight area is supported by its own dedicated binder of written procedures and supporting records.

This detailed system ensures that every requirement, from federal regulations to local expectations, is monitored and met with consistency.

Regular site visits by Environmental Manager Johnie Alexander reinforce this culture of accountability. Throughout the year, he conducts targeted compliance checks, and once annually, he performs a comprehensive audit reviewing Air, Stormwater, and UST compliance, as well as overall BMP performance. Audit findings are reviewed with plant management, accompanied by corrective action lists and timelines to ensure continuous improvement.

Sustainability Through Smarter Transportation

The plant’s rail-based cement supply is another standout component of their environmental performance. By receiving cement via rail rather than truck, the Raleigh Street Plant significantly reduces fuel consumption and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Because the location also serves as a terminal supplying nearby plants, it further cuts down on tanker truck travel distances, resulting in fewer emissions and a more efficient regional supply chain.

Innovative Water Conservation Efforts

The Raleigh Street Plant places a high priority on conserving freshwater and reducing process water on-site. Using a four-bay wash pit system, the team recycles water back into concrete production. Since January alone, 347,850 gallons of process water have been reused, which substantially reduces freshwater demand and disposal needs.

Stormwater management is equally well-executed. All stormwater collected on-site is naturally treated through the plant’s stormwater pond before discharging via the designated outfall, supporting responsible water handling practices year-round.

Turning Waste Into Opportunity

Another noteworthy practice at the Raleigh Street Plant is their creative reuse of returned concrete. Rather than disposing of unused material, the plant pours it into block molds. Once cured, these blocks are stripped and either used onsite or sold to customers, preventing landfill waste and creating a valuable byproduct.