Sustainable Development: Asphalt
Asphalts plants are highly regulated in Ontario. We require asphalt to help build the key infrastructure used in everyday life, including our roads, sidewalks, commercial and industrial buildings, walking and bicycle paths, schools and playgrounds.
Key Projects
GIP asphalt plants have supported infrastructure projects across the country, including:
- Resurfacing eastbound and westbound sections of the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto, ON (2018 & 2020)
- Red Hill Valley resurfacing in Hamilton, ON (2019)
- 401 North to Hwy 7 resurfacing in Oshawa and Belleville, ON (2019)
- Highway 10 rehabilitation and resurfacing in Manitoba (2018)
- Highway 50 resurfacing in Quebec (2011 to 2013)
Environmental Compliance
Plants must comply with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Park’s (MECP) Regulation 419/05 which regulates air quality and must also demonstrate compliance with MECP’s noise limits. All environmental emissions are therefore monitored, recorded and reported to meet government regulations and requirements. Sites are also subject to site-specific conditions outlined in their Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA).
At GIP, it is important we operate our facilities in a manner that minimizes impacts on the environment and surrounding community and is why we operate in accordance with our permits, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. All GIP asphalt facilities have Best Management Practices for controlling fugitive dust and a procedure for documenting and responding to complaints. Every site also has a plan in place to respond to and report spills.
To ensure adequate dust control, GIP applies methods such as sweeping, watering, stockpile placement, reduced traffic speeds, proper operation and maintenance of primary collection equipment, and regular monitoring and cleaning of our baghouse equipment and on site speed limits and traffic control. To reduce emissions and odours generated during the hot mix production, GIP regularly inspects and maintains burners and air systems, services equipment at regular intervals, maintains proper asphalt mix temperatures (lower temperature mixes reduce potential air emissions) and schedules unloading during hours that would have the least impact on our neighbours.
GIP also tracks daily Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure that our plants operate effectively. These KPIs include recycle content, outside temperature/weather, baghouse details, mix temperature and type of mix being made. Every plant is also inspected daily to ensure preventative maintenance is conducted where required and that the plant is operating at maximum efficiency.
Promoting Recycling Activities
GIP promotes and positively contributes to key government environment policies through participation in a number of Industry Boards and Committees. Our goal is to help bring forward new and emerging technologies and construction methods that minimize the impact on the environment. We promote “green” asphalt with warm mix temperature production, and the use of Recycled Asphalt and crushed concrete materials in order to minimize the impacts on the environment. Incorporating recycled materials is beneficial for the environment because it reduces the need for new pits and quarries and lowers GHG emissions (by eliminating the need for longer truck hauling of virgin material).