Hot Mix Asphalt Environmental Leadership Award

See also Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association's Hot Mix Asphalt Environmental Leadership Award [exit DNR] for more information.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association (WAPA) created the Hot Mix Asphalt Environmental Leadership Award to recognize plants that exceed the already high standards that are set for the asphalt industry. The award criteria were developed by a subcommittee of the Environmental Technology Transfer Team (ETTT), which included DNR and WAPA, along with representatives from the Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin County Highway Association, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Marathon County Zoning Department. Winners of the Hot Mix Asphalt Environmental Leadership Award have achieved environmental excellence above and beyond what is required of them by environmental regulations. While environmental performance is the focus of the award, a hot mix asphalt plant also has to show exemplary performance in safety, plant appearance and community relations. Additionally, the winners are dedicated supporters of their community. This award is an example of an industry sector working proactively with local units of government to improve the environment and enhance their public image.

Earning the Award

To earn this award, these leaders in the hot mix asphalt industry have had to achieve the highest ratings in community and environmental excellence via a rigorous inspection of their facilities. The inspection team consists of a local government official, an equipment expert who is familiar with asphalt plant machinery. The inspection team's responsibilities include on-site evaluation and scoring of 70 award criteria. The award is only granted to plants that achieve a passing score in each of the five award categories.

The inspection team scores each asphalt plant on criteria in these five categories:

1. Environmental Compliance – All permit requirements, record keeping and other regulatory requirements must be at 100% compliance.
2. Safety – Plants must have an employee safety policy manual and demonstrate that all employees have received training. There must be posted speed limits and a clearly established truck and loader travel pattern.
3. Environmental Control Measures – Points are scored for low visible emissions, clean storm water, minimizing fugitive dust emissions and good management of petroleum products. Other important criteria are noise and odor control. Using recycled asphalt and burning used oil that is drained from trucks and cars as fuel is encouraged.
4. Plant Appearance – An award winning plant will be a nicely painted plant with attractive landscaping at the entrance and interior. The plant site will be neat, clean and orderly.
5. Community Relations – The scoring team reviews the plant's activities for plant tours, sponsorship of schools programs, support of local charities and in-kind donations, such as asphalt or use of equipment. Proactive involvement of plant officials with local government and neighbors is encouraged.

A complete list of the award criteria is listed at Hot Mix Asphalt Environmental Leadership Award [exit DNR].

Renewal of the Award

The award committee set the award period at 3 years to ensure that plants maintain their high level of performance. The purpose of reinspection is to assure that all award-winning plants are still operating at the same or better level of performance after the first three years. If this is the case, the plant will then be reissued the Environmental Leadership Award for an additional three years.

The reinspection criteria and passing score are the same as the original award criteria. If the equipment has not been significantly changed, the team will include a local government official interested in planning, zoning and environmental permit. The original award will be effective 90 days past the original 3-year inspection date to allow for sufficient reinspection time.