OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IS CONCRETE

Thinking Green

 Environmental Achievements

Environmental Stewardship.  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has initiated a recognition program of Environmental Stewardship available to members of the regulated community who have implemented policies and procedures that exceed the regulatory requirements and benefit the environment. Several of Silvi sites have been recognized under this Environmental Stewardship program.

Forest Stewardship.  The NJ Forest Stewardship Program is administered through the NJ State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee with representatives from federal, state and private natural resource agencies and organizations.  Land owners, with assistance of a certified Forestry Manager, develop a Forest Stewardship plan to manage the site for wood products as well as wildlife, forest health, forest restoration, invasive species control and water quality.  The Silvi Group Companies administer Forest Stewardship Programs at their sand mining facilities in Franklin, Monroe, Eagleswood & Stafford, NJ locations.

Wildlife Habitat.  The Silvi Group began incorporating wildlife habitat related features in mine planning, in 2010.  They are members of the Wildlife Habitat Council, a Washington-DC based non-profit organization.  We are including their site-specific recommendations in our mine design.

Water Conservation, Recycling & Zero-Discharge.  The South-Central Regional Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has recognized our pioneering work in this area with regard to ready-mix concrete plant process water.  Silvi has maintained its zero-discharge procedure at all of our concrete plants since 2005.

Air Quality State-of-the Art Installation.  In 2004, the Governor of Pennsylvania recognized the installation of a new ship-to-silo vacuum unloading system at our cement terminal in Bristol, PA as “Best Available Technology.”

Reclamation & Ecological Restoration of Sand Mine.  In 2005, Sahara Sand reclaimed their sand mine in Monroe Township, Gloucester County to meet Township and Pinelands standards.  The property is now a premier ecological site maintained as such in perpetuity under Green Acres ownership.

First in New Jersey – All-electric Dredges for Sand Mining.  Sahara Sand pioneered the use of all-electric dredging technology in 2002 by installing a custom-designed dredge at our Eagleswood mine, followed by a similar installation in 2004 at our Franklin mine.  Electric dredges are environmentally far friendlier than their diesel-powered counterparts.  These is no possibility of an oil spill in the mine lake with the electric dredge, and no air pollution from diesel combustion.  They are also neighbor-friendly with their ultra-low noise profile.