Beyond the external environmental audits carried out at all plants, there are many initiatives being undertaken to mitigate the impacts inherent in our business. Some examples include the widespread recycling within ready mixed concrete operations, noise reduction measures at locations such as the block-making plant at Horotiu and visual enhancements through tree and shrub plantings. The new Horotiu batching plant, in particular, reflects the company’s ever-increasing responsiveness to wider environmental responsibilities. When long-serving drivers such as John Price (pictured) were just raw recruits waste water and products went everywhere. But now, with re-cycling programmes firmly in place, the water is recycled for concrete and truck washing and materials such as metal and sand are put to good use on farmers’ driveways.