Source: Ash Grove Cement Co.
Cyclists promoting recycling stopped at the Ash Grove Cement Chanute, Kan., plant in early October to spotlight the company's successful efforts to reduce its use of fossil fuels and conserve natural resources. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Waste Management sponsored the 466-mile, border-to-border "Recycle Cycle" bike tour to highlight communities and companies saving energy, conserving resources, and extending the life of existing landfills through their recycling efforts.

“Ash Grove’s Chanute plant has successfully managed a sustainable energy recovery program for 21 years that has avoided the use of more than 635,000 tons of coal,” said Plant Manager Randy Pryor.

“By replacing coal with another company’s energy-bearing waste, Ash Grove is decreasing the use of fossil fuel while stopping the wasting of that material by incineration or landfill,” said Michael Harrell, Ash Grove’s manager of Alternative Fuel and Resource Recovery.

“What better way to promote a healthier and cleaner Kansas than with a bicycle ride,” said William Bider, director of the Bureau of Waste Management. “The goal is simply to showcase the efforts Kansans are making to improve their environment and eliminate waste."
 
Ash Grove is the only U.S.-owned cement company that is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Cement Sustainability Initiative, a global effort by industry leaders who believe there is a strong business case for sustainable development.