Introduction
The Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (association) represents the precast concrete industry in Canada. The institute has been collaborating with the Cement Association of Canada and the other concrete industries to develop a sector sustainability strategy for the cement and concrete industries.

In 2006, the Cement Association of Canada published their first Sustainability Report. The report focused on cement manufacturing and includes performance information from 100% of the manufacturers of grey hydraulic cement in Canada as of 2004. The report does not include information related to the manufacturing of concrete. The selection of issues and indicators included in this report was influenced by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Cement Sustainability Initiative, and reflects key topics of interest in Canada. The report presents information related to the following six themes:

• Climate Protection and CO2 Management
• Responsible Use of Fuels and Materials
• Employee Health and Safety
• Emissions Monitoring and Reporting
• Local Impacts on Land and Communities
• Innovation and Sustainable Industry Solutions

The report provides information on environmental, social and economic performance and key sustainability initiatives and the achievements of cement company members. Data is provided for 2004, with supporting trend data where available. A summary of the Canadian cement industry’s current status relating to company actions is outlined in the Cement Sustainability Initiative. The Cement Association of Canada will publish a sustainability report every two years to allow interested parties to monitor our progress in these important areas.

For More Information on Cement Association of Canada Sustainability Initiatives click here.

Although the research relates specifically to the Canadian Cement Industry, it was of great interest to CPCI members and precast industry trade associations in other countries (UK, Australia). Government and environmental agencies, architects, engineers and owners will also be interested in the research.

CPCI members decided to develop a sustainable strategy for the Canadian precast industry.

Precast Sector Sustainability Strategy
CPCI discussed developing a sector sustainability strategy applicable to the precast concrete industry in the fall of 2006 at a Strategic Planning Meeting in Grapevine, Texas.

In January 2007, CPCI facilitated an industry workshop in Ottawa to discuss sustainability. The workshop concluded that CPCI should pursue the development of a sector sustainability strategy and aim for maximum buy-in from its members. CPCI struck a committee to develop a sustainable direction (consultation paper) to be used as the forerunner of the industry sustainable strategy.

The research began with the analysis of the British Precast Association’s Sustainable Strategy. Three steps were identified in the development of their strategy:

1. Recognize and/or defining the impact of the industry, usually in economic, environmental and social terms.
2. Set objectives to mitigate those impacts.
3. Use key performance indicators to measure progress towards meeting those objectives.

The development of the Canadian Precast Strategy follows the same process as British Precast, ensuring the triple bottom line issues of economic, environmental and social development are treated in a balanced way. The ten top business reasons for adopting a sustainable strategy are as follows:

1. Health & Safety
2. Social/Community
3. Employment
4. Resources
5. Energy
6. External Threats
7. Waste
8. Market Image
9. Supply Chain
10. Legislation

CPCI Canadian Precast Concrete Sustainable Plant Program
Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) officially launched the new Sustainable Plant Program at CPCI’s Summer Board Meeting in Whistler BC. May 14th – 17th, 2012. The goal of this optional program is to improve the environmental impact at the manufacturing level while creating a culture of sustainability within the industry. The benefits of sustainable business practices are well documented. As the leading technical resource for the precast concrete industry in Canada, CPCI is providing the tools for its member plants to measure and implement changes that will have a measurable improvement in their environmental and economic performance using a web based Software Tracking Program.

In October 2014, the program was adopted by CPCI United States counterparts; the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI) and the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA). The program is now called the North American Precast Concrete Sustainable Plant Program.

For more information, download the North American Precast Concrete Sustainable Plant Program.