How On Site Mixed Concrete Minimises Environmental Impact
Concrete is the backbone of the construction industry – it’s indispensable. Yet, its production and transportation leave a substantial carbon footprint. From quarrying raw materials to the energy-intensive process of manufacturing cement and the emissions from hauling ready-mix trucks, the environmental cost is significant. The industry is at a crossroads, requiring innovative solutions to curb its impact on our planet.
Custom Concrete’s mixed concrete on site, also known as volumetric concrete, is a potential solution. While the benefits of customised concrete mixes and multiple batches may be familiar to some, the environmental advantages of mix on site concrete extend far beyond these well-known features.
What is On Site Mixed Concrete?
It’s an increasingly popular approach to concrete production, that brings the concrete batching plant directly to your construction site. Instead of pre-mixed concrete being transported from a central plant, all the raw materials – cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures – are loaded into a volumetric truck. This truck then travels to your site, where the concrete is mixed on demand, in the exact quantities you need, right when you need it.
Think of mixed concrete on site as a ‘just-in-time’ concrete solution, ensuring you get fresh concrete, tailored to your specific requirements, without any waste.
Building Green – The Environmental Wins of Volumetric Concrete
On site mixed concrete isn’t just convenient – it’s a powerful part of the fight against climate change. Here’s how it helps us build a greener future.
1. Eradicating Waste:
- No More Over-Ordering – With traditional ready-mix, it’s easy to overestimate your needs. Volumetric concrete eliminates this issue, as you can order the exact volume you need using the Custom Concrete Calculator.
- No More Leftovers – Unused concrete often ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution. On-site mixing drastically reduces this wastage, leaving you with a cleaner site and a clearer conscience.
2. Shrinking Your Carbon Footprint:
- Less Transportation, Less Pollution – Ready-mixed concrete trucks guzzle fuel as they travel from the batching plant to your site. Mixed concrete on site cuts down on these journeys, resulting in fewer carbon emissions and a smaller environmental impact.
- Greener Cement Choices – At Custom Concrete, we use CEM II cement, a blended cement with a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional Portland cement. It’s a small change that makes a big difference.
3. Supporting Local Economies:
- Sourcing Locally – Volumetric concrete allows you to use locally sourced aggregates, reducing transportation distances and supporting local businesses. It’s a win-win for your project and the local economy.
4. Additional Environmental Benefits:
- Reduced Water Consumption – Volumetric mixers use precise water-to-cement ratios, minimising water wastage and conserving this precious resource.
- Adaptability to Weather – On-site mixing allows for adjustments to the mix design based on weather conditions, ensuring optimal concrete performance and reducing the need for rework or repairs.
The numerous environmental advantages add up to a significant positive impact for the construction industry.
Can Site Mixed Concrete be Used For Large Construction Projects?
Absolutely, on-site mixed concrete isn’t just for small jobs. It’s a versatile solution that can also handle large construction projects easily. Volumetric mixer trucks are designed to be mobile, which means they can navigate large sites, delivering fresh concrete exactly where it’s needed. Custom Concrete also hire concrete pumps as part of the service.
The ability to produce multiple batches on demand ensures a continuous supply, even for projects with high concrete requirements. Plus, the precise control over mix designs allows for tailoring the concrete to specific structural needs, so you’re guaranteed strength and durability for any project scale.
Whether you’re managing the construction of a large commercial complex or a massive infrastructure project, site mixed concrete offers the flexibility, efficiency, and environmental benefits to get the job done right.
Work With Custom Concrete For a Greener Industry
At Custom Concrete, we’re more than just a concrete supplier. We work with our customers to build a greener future. Our commitment to sustainable construction extends beyond on-site mixed concrete to our state-of-the-art volumetric trucks, the Custom Concrete Calculator, and an expert Customer Service team ready to share their knowledge with you.
Ready to experience the Custom Concrete difference? Contact us today and let’s start building a greener future today – 01525 861899