Alaska Interstate Construction (AIC) provides labor and equipment for construction and mechanical maintenance, gravel or ice road and pad development, and bridge construction for the Greater Prudhoe Bay Area. AIC has facilities here in Anchorage and on the North Slope and has implemented the Green Star standards in both locations.
AIC tracks its environmental impacts meticulously through its Environmental Management System, and posts results monthly for all employees to see. AIC’s 2002 Environmental Objectives and Targets include achieving the Green Star Standards. These initiatives have resulted in significantly improved environmental performance. Monthly reports include information on hazardous waste generation and disposal, specific material recovery figures, electricity and gas usage, and other information.
For example, by recycling used oil as heating fuel, approximately 4,338 gallons of oil were recovered, resulting in the generation of almost 6.3 million BTUs of energy. This quantity is almost twice as much oil as was recovered in 2000.
Electricity savings were achieved through several initiatives, including encouraging employees to shut down computers at end of day and using air conditioning less often. As a result, electricity use was down in 2001; however, electricity costs went up so no costs remained steady.
AIC recycles many items both in Anchorage and on the North Slope. On the Slope, recyclables include fluorescent lamps, lead-acid batteries, used oil, antifreeze, aerosol cans, and pallets. To recycle aerosol cans, AIC purchased an aerosol can puncturing unit, which empties the remaining propellant from the cans before they are collected for recycling.
In addition, AIC has recently added plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, newspaper, toner cartridges, fluorescent lamps, and office paper to its list of items recycled in Anchorage. AIC estimates that it recycles approximately 40 pounds of paper items each month, 8 pounds of aluminum cans, and about four toner cartridges. To reduce waste disposal, AIC also uses shredded paper as packing material, packages outgoing shipments in used cardboard boxes.
AIC maintains its equipment and vehicles with waste prevention and efficiency in mind. Each piece of equipment undergoes a complete servicing every 300 operating hours. This system reduces leaks, lowers emissions, and saves money. One small initiative – welding metal grating over headlights of heavy equipment – has reduced the overall replacement of headlights.
AIC has distributed to its staff a Green Star tips fact sheet produced by the Interior Alaska Green Star chapter. Employees also learn about environmental programs through new employee training and through weekly Health, Safety, and Environmental weekly and daily meetings.
