Sustainability for Generations
McWane focuses relentlessly on sustainability in business with the highest standards of environmental stewardship and workplace safety. Each year, our manufacturing plants recycle hundreds of thousands of tons of old cars and scrap metal into essential products that bring safe, clean water into homes and communities across North America every day.
Sustainable Products
Ductile iron is made from 100 percent recycled scrap iron and steel, and the final product is recyclable after its long, useful life. All ductile iron pipe manufacturers have a “buy-back” policy on ductile and cast iron pipes that have been removed from service. If you ship material to them, they will pay the going rate for scrap iron and steel. The manufacturing process includes environmentally sound practices.
Process water streams are recycled within the manufacturing process, and there are minimal water discharges. All waste waters are treated on-site before release. Spent foundry sand is recycled and used as a construction material. Contaminants are removed from gas streams so they do not vent to the atmosphere.
Iron pipe and fittings' performance is also environmentally responsible. The larger inside diameter of ductile iron pipe (compared to substitute materials) means that, for a given flow, it takes less energy to pump through ductile pipe. With its wall thickness and corrosion control, ductile iron pipe has a minimum anticipated service life of 100 years.
Impermeable to organic contaminants, ductile iron pipe protects clean water from environmental spills in the ground and protects the environment from contaminants in wastewater.
Sustainable Operations
McWane has performed life cycle analyses on several of its key products. Kestrel Management Services was retained to identify opportunities to reduce McWane’s impact on the environment through conservation, waste reduction, process improvements, and other means.
McWane is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) board of directors at both the national and the state chapter levels to ensure sustainability remains a focus.
In the fall of 2007, McWane hosted a three-day symposium for more than 40 environmental and other personnel on USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) training and accreditation standards. Currently, McWane has three LEED accredited professionals on staff.
McWane team members also represent the company on the board of directors for the Cahaba River Society and Village Creek Society.
