The Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) is one of six founding members of the Industrial Resources Council (IRCE), a new organization designed to promote the use of products, by-products, co-products or other non-hazardous materials in various industrial activities.
The members share a common goal to promote the understanding of sustainable use of recovered industrial resources. In part, this is done by advancing the management and use of these materials in ways that are environmentally responsible, technically sound, commercially competitive and publicly accepted.
The CMRA has joined largely to promote the recycling of concrete.
Other members of the council include: American Coal Ash Association (ACAA); Foundry Industry Recycling Starts Today (FIRST); National Council for Air & Stream Improvement (NCASI); National Slag Association (NSA) and Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
The goals of the IRC are to:
• Stimulate the transfer of information related to the recovery, use, reuse and recycling of industrial resources that can be used by planners, designers, specifiers, regulators, purchasers, manufacturers and constructors or other stakeholders;
• Participate in the development of appropriate codes, specifications and guides for the use of these industrial resources on par with competing materials and products;
• Facilitate awareness and understanding of the environmental, economic, engineering, manufacturing and societal benefits derived from the recovery, use, reuse and recycling of industrial materials; and
• Share experiences of effective strategies that lead to increased utilization of these industrial materials within, including changes in codes, guides and specifications.