In recent years, Rinker has made significant improvements in safety and environmental performance. Directly and indirectly, this improvement has contributed to the lives and well being of all employees, their families and the overall health and effectiveness of our company. While we are pleased with what we have accomplished, we must never be satisfied. We can always do better.
At Rinker, we believe it is wrong to accept injuries, occupational illnesses and environmental incidents. We believe injuries, illnesses and environmental incidents are not an inevitable or expected consequence of doing business and we are committed to eliminating not just reducing the incidence of these tragic events. It is the right thing to do and imperative for our business. We call our commitment Zero 4 Life. This is our vision and goal.
Furthermore, this goal should not be restricted to our employees. It must also include our families, contractors, vendors and the communities in which we operate.
The zero in Zero 4 Life means zero recordable injuries, zero preventable vehicular incidents, zero job-related illnesses, zero fatalities and zero environmental incidents. The 4 refers to the four ABCD core competencies of 
working safe: Accountability, Behavior, Communication and Dedication. Life is living safely on and off the the job with regard for our environment and sharing this value with our families and friends. It means doing what is necessary to sustain zero at work, but also taking safety and environmental awareness beyond the workplace into our homes and our communities. Zero 4 Life also means integrating safety and environmental awareness into our daily lives and into everything we do as individuals and as an organisation.
The Zero 4 Life logo also appears to be the head and shoulders of a person. It represents all Rinker employees working for us now as well as future Rinker employees.
Environmental Eagle Award
From left to right: Jennifer Joy Wilson (President & CEO of NSSGA), Travis Wellman (Rinker Materials Operations Manager) and John Cramer (NSSGA Chairman of the Board).
The Rinker Materials 474 Sand Mine in Clermont, Florida has won the prestigious 2003 Gold Environmental Eagle Award presented by the National Sand, Stone & Gravel Association (NSSGA). Nearly 60 aggregate operations from across the U.S. entered the program.
The Environmental Eagle Award was created in 1992 to provide national recognition for aggregate-producing companies that actively contribute to the maintenance of the environment in and around their operations.
The award is judged on the extent to which an operation meets and exceeds technical environmental standards, pollution prevention & waste minimisation, and effective environmental control measures that exceed regulatory requirements. Non-technical aspects concern the quality and effectiveness of the operation’s proactive environmental program and the degree of employee involvement in environmental programs. The Eagle Award is not based on aesthetic or beautification criteria.
In the past, Rinker Materials has won several Silver and Bronze Eagle Awards, but this is the first Gold Award. It was won in part because of the 474 Sand Mine’s involvement with area schools and their diligent work converting the reclaimed sand pits and surrounding area into a working outdoor classroom.
Approximately 200 acres (81 hectares) of the 1,400-acre (566 hectares) site serves as a preservation area that neighboring schools utilise on a regular basis for study of the natural environment. To date, over 1,000 students have visited the site for such studies. Wetlands, nature trails and this year an area of scrub habitat will be constructed to help restore the former mine site.
The 474 Sand Mine is working proof that post mine reclamation can provide great educational and recreational opportunities.
Planting reaps reward
Students from JERFSA and FGCU planting at Alico Quarry.
Alico Quarry partnered with the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and students, teachers and parents from Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy (JERFSA) to plant 170,000 plants covering an area of 36.5 acres (14.6 hectares).
