Improving waste and recycling at block plants

Another year of record block manufacturing in the Florida Materials Division of Rinker Materials has not slowed operational improvements. Following initiatives at the Davenport block plants, many northern region plants have implemented an aggressive recycling program – producing big savings and improving housekeeping.

The Davenport crew began the program by setting aside all “crumbs” of block mix left over from manufacturing during normal operations. This material normally goes into the scrap pile but Davenport realised it could accumulate enough of this material to re-introduce it into the concrete batching process – using a new mix design. This not only lowered waste and scrap to be hauled off-site, it also cut raw material costs.

Since its beginnings in Davenport, the practice has spread to all plants in the north half of the state. This year alone, the recycling program has saved over US$100,000 in material and clean-up costs.