Journey to Carbon Neutral
Unilock introduced paving stones to North America in 1972 as a new alternate to asphalt and poured concrete. In the 1990’s we introduced permeable paving systems that have since become a best management practice for flood mitigation and environmental stewardship.
At the same time we also began to supplement the cement content in our concrete design with Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) such as slag. Over time, our mix design has evolved to include more SCM cement alternatives that are byproducts of other industries.
Carbon Neutrality
As we continue our journey to the goal of carbon neutrality, we have increased our efforts to collect and disclose information, including, in 2019, the publication of our Health Product Declarations, and now with our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Current Initiatives:
- We can substitute up to 55% of the cement in our concrete mix design with Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs)
- On-site concrete waste is recycled
- Some facilities have installed Solar Panels (shown below from Rittman OH)
- Some of our packaging/labels are made of recycled material
- We are experimenting with EV forklifts
- Water in production is treated and recycled for reuse at many production plants
- We are utilizing chemical technologies to facilitate the curing of concrete with less dependence on fossil fuels
- All Catalogs and Product Resource Guides are printed on FSC compliant paper ensuring they are sourced from responsibly managed forests.
- We have calculated the carbon footprint of our entire company! Plans are under way to implement strategic updates and improvements that will reduce our future impact.
Solar Panels at Rittman Ohio
Future Initiatives
Sustainability Statement
Unilock is committed to becoming a carbon neutral company. We have implemented initiatives that continue to minimize our use of fossil fuels, recycle and harvest water, and replace cement in our products with supplementary cementitious materials while manufacturing the highest quality product.
By working towards carbon neutrality and making our products and our company more sustainable, we will be able to build a legacy of beautiful landscapes that enhance our lives, our health and our environment.
