The Environmental Impact of FODS Compared to Traditional Rock Entrances
As the environmental impacts of industrialized activity continues to be uncovered, regulatory authorities are challenged with the task of promoting economic growth while implementing measures to protect natural resources. Today, environmental considerations are included in regulations that span across nearly every industry including, energy production, transportation, water quality, waste processing, manufacturing, and construction. In addition, private organizations have formed to promote sustainable practices, with the USGBC’s LEED Rating System as a prominent example.
Some of the goals of environmental policies include:
- Reduction of Carbon Emissions
- Reduction of Generated Waste
- Reuse of Raw Materials
FODS Reusable Construction Entrance, presents an innovative, eco-friendly alternative to traditional aggregate rock entrances that contributes to reductions in carbon emissions, generated waste, and recycling and reuse of materials.
Reducing Emissions & Waste
A principal environmental advantage of FODS is the substantial reduction in transportation-associated emissions. On average traditional construction, entrances require approximately 16 truckloads of aggregate rock for installation, refreshing, and removal. In contrast, FODS dramatically reduces this requirement to only one or two trucks, significantly decreasing CO2 emissions. In addition, the FODS system is completely reusable which means less waste materials at the end of each project.
For a clear comparison of transportation emissions, consider that a full truckload of rock generates 161.8 grams of CO2 per ton per mile (FHA Regulations), with a fully loaded semi-truck load weighing about 40 tons. A truck loaded with rock completing a 50 mile round trip delivery would emit just over 440 lbs of CO2. Constructing a traditional entrance, 16 truckloads of rock (including refreshes and removal), results in approximately 7,119 lbs or just over 3.5 tons of CO2 emissions required for transportation.
In stark contrast, the FODS system can be transported much more efficiently: one flatbed truck can carry up to 96 mats which can cover 24 separate construction entrances. During a project, the FODS system requires only two flatbed trucks loads, one to deliver the mats, and one to remove them from the job site. A truck loaded with a FODS entrance completing a 50 mile round trip delivery would emit just over 150 lbs of CO2, and since the only other transportation required is the removal of the mats at the end of the project, the total emissions from transportation from is just over 300 lbs CO2 emission.
This analysis reveals an impressive reduction in CO2 emissions—around 95.7% less—when deploying FODS instead of traditional aggregate rock for construction entrances the contractor would also save over 116 gallons of diesel fuel per entrance. The remarkable potential for environmental savings demonstrates the transformative impact of such an innovative system on sustainable construction practices.
Contractors using the FODS Trackout Control System enables will signficantly reduce emmisions from transportation vehicles who would have delivered aggregate for traditional construction entrances. Over the course of their 10 year lifespan, one truck load of FODS mats will eliminate over 3,360 delivery loads and help to remove nearly 745 tons of CO2 emissions.
By reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, preventing waterway pollution, and curbing waste generation, FODS is a compelling example of how innovation can significantly mitigate the environmental impact of construction activities. Widespread adoption of environmentally considerate systems like FODS is critical for the evolution towards sustainable construction, underlining the industry's responsibility to reduce environmental impacts across all facets of the construction process—from structural considerations to the design of site entrances.
Recycling & Recycled Content
It is estimated that only 5-10% of plastic produced is recycled into new products. The low adoption rate of plastic recycling is due in part to the high cost of recycling as well as the low demand for the recycled materials. Many common types of plastics, are not economically feasible to recycle, while other types of plastics may degrade quickly when used again in new products. Like any business, plastic recycling plants are dependent on industry demand for profitability.
FODS mats are manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a material renowned for its recyclability. HDPE maintains its quality and effectiveness through up to six recycling cycles, prolonging the product's lifespan compared to single-use aggregate rock. Each FODS mat made of HDPE and incorporates 10-15% post-consumer recycled material helping to create downstream demand for recycled material, reduce the impact of extraction and processing. By using recycled materials, FODS diverts waste from landfills into new products which a 10+ year service life. Composite products, like FODS Trackout Control Mats, can make recycling economically feasible in more places by sourcing recycled materials and increasing the market demand.
