Sustainable Concrete Practices: Building a Greener Future in Orange County

Eco-Friendly Concrete Mixes

Our company has made significant changes to our existing concrete mixtures as follows:

• We have added recycled products (such as fly-ash and slag) into many of our mixtures.
• Our mixtures will be using more of the locally-sourced aggregate materials available within Orange County to decrease transportation emissions related to producing the mixture.
• We are currently testing and developing a variety of types of “carbon-capture” technology to utilize in some of our mixtures.

Although these new mixtures may be slightly different from what was previously used, they still maintain their necessary strength while providing an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional mixes.

Permeable Concrete Solutions

Many of us in Orange County are concerned about managing large amounts of water after heavy rainfall events, particularly due to the County’s emphasis on conserving water. Some of the ways we are addressing this concern include:

• Using permeable concrete for driveways and walkways allows rainwater to percolate down through the soil and filter naturally.
• Reducing runoff and allowing the natural process of water-filtration by the soil to replenish local groundwater.
• Permeable concrete provides a viable solution for homeowners in areas such as Orange County that experience periods of heavy rain and emphasize water-conservation.

Heat-Reflective Concrete

The Urban Heat Island Effect refers to the increased surface-temperature of cities compared to surrounding rural areas, primarily caused by dark pavement surfaces absorbing and retaining heat. The primary objective of using heat-reflective concrete is to help alleviate this problem.

Some of the ways heat-reflective concrete accomplishes its objectives include:

• Using a light-colored concrete to reflect sunlight
• Incorporating special pigments designed to increase the heat-reflecting properties of the concrete
• Decreasing the amount of air-conditioning needed and subsequently decreasing the energy consumed

Orange County experiences a very sunny climate, making it ideal for using heat-reflective concrete in residential and commercial projects throughout the area.

Durability for Longevity

As stated above, there are many reasons why sustainability is important in construction; however, one of the most obvious reasons is that sustainable construction reduces the long-term use of resources required to build buildings and structures. One of the key components of sustainable construction is ensuring that the structure will last for a long time. In order to do so, we focus on creating mixes that provide high durability, thus extending the life of the structure and ultimately reducing the demand for replacement or repair of the structure over time.

Efficient Construction Practices

There are two main areas where we strive to be efficient: reducing waste generated on-site, and minimizing the number of people involved in each stage of the construction-process. To accomplish the first goal, we attempt to precisely order the exact amount of materials needed to complete the project, thereby eliminating the amount of excess materials generated. Additionally, we recycle as much of the unused material as possible and utilize advanced pouring-techniques to minimize the amount of spillage occurring during the installation-process.

Low-VOC Sealers and Coatings

When we apply sealers and coatings to protect the surface of concrete, we want to ensure that we are doing so in a way that protects the health of those living in and around the area, as well as protecting the environment. That is why we use water-based, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) sealers when applying protective coatings to concrete. In addition to utilizing low-VOC sealers, we also offer a variety of eco-friendly staining options for customers who wish to add color to their concrete without negatively impacting the environment.

Energy-Efficient Production

Not only are we committed to being green through the use of our products and services, but we are also striving to become more environmentally friendly through our internal operations. Some examples of how we are attempting to do this include:

• Investing in energy-efficient mixing-equipment
• Optimizing our transportation routes to reduce the amount of fuel we consume
• Exploring renewable energy-sources to power our facilities

Water Conservation Techniques

As mentioned earlier, conserving water is another key component of being environmentally responsible. There are several ways that we attempt to conserve water in the production-process of our products, including:

• Implementing water-recycling systems in our production-process to reduce the amount of clean water needed to produce each product.
• Utilizing drought-resistant landscaping to surround our concrete installations to help minimize the need for supplemental irrigation.
• Educating our customers on how to properly care for their concrete, as well as educating them on the importance of using water wisely.

Future-Forward Thinking

While we continue to be committed to providing sustainable products and services to our customers, we understand that the field of sustainable construction continues to evolve and grow. Therefore, we are always looking for opportunities to invest in the latest research and development of new and exciting eco-friendly technologies that will enable us to provide even more sustainable products and services to our customers in the future. In addition to conducting research and development, we collaborate with environmental scientists to continuously evaluate and improve upon our current methods to ensure that we remain at the forefront of sustainable construction.

At Orange Concrete Contractor Pros, we believe that creating a sustainable future is a joint effort among all parties. When you choose our eco-friendly concrete solutions, you’re not only purchasing a product for your property, but you’re also contributing to a cleaner Orange County.

Ready to take your next concrete project to the next level with sustainable construction? Contact Orange Concrete Contractor Pros today. Let’s work together to develop a plan that meets your specific needs while focusing on environmental responsibility. Together, we can create a stronger, more sustainable community one concrete project at a time.