Sustainability is crucial for preserving our planet and natural resources. By building a sustainable future, we can reduce pollution and protect our people, planet and communities. That is why at Asphalt Materials, Inc. we promote sustainable practices at all our locations in the Midwest. At each of our locations, there is a sustainability champion who leads sustainability initiatives and educates employees on sustainable practices. Several champions have shared their current sustainable actions within their respective locations.

Battery Recycling (St. Elmo, Illinois)

At our St. Elmo, Illinois, location our employees recycle batteries through Veolia through their program called RecyclePak. Throughout the year, batteries are collected and placed in bags individually and then placed in a collection pail. Once the pail is full, they are sent to Veolia.

Recycling batteries leads to less materials going into landfills, natural resource conservation and the reuse of materials. There are only a select few disposable and rechargeable batteries that can be recycled, including lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, alkaline, primary lithium and several more.

According to Heal the Planet, Americans throw away more than 3 billion batteries each year. So, let’s do our part and recycle!

Reusable Water Bottles (Marietta, Ohio)

At our Marietta, Ohio, location efforts have begun to eliminate the use of plastic water bottles. Both of our North and South Marietta plants were consuming approximately 1 ½ pallets of bottled water per year.

Now five-gallon water coolers have been installed at the plants, and each employee has been given a reusable water bottle for use. Guests are given biodegradable paper cups to use when they visit.

By using reusable water bottles, we will reduce the exposure of toxins through plastic water bottles and reduce the amount of garbage that is being sent to landfills.

Waste Cleanup & Recycling Materials (Oregon, Ohio)

At our Oregon, Ohio plant location our sustainability champion Trevor McLargin encourages his team to pick up waste around the plant daily. This not only helps keep a clean and safe working environment, but also encourages others in the area to keep the land clean.

Another initiative that this plant location focuses on is disposing and recycling of various materials. There are several designated areas in which the plant recycles materials. There are locations for metal scraps and materials, and soon there will be a paper products and plastics area. These areas have items that can be reused at other plants or recycled through a third party.

Recycling & Composting (Indianapolis, Indiana)

At our Indianapolis, Indiana office we have implemented recycling and composting bins in our kitchen area. Our compost is used for our gardens that were installed this year.

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter like food scraps into a fertilizer that can be used for plants. Through this initiative we help reduce waste going to landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recycle nutrients!


Asphalt Materials, Inc. is building for generations. We are leaving our people, our planet and our communities better than we found them, and are excited to continue our sustainability efforts at all our locations!