Hamilton Port Authority (HPA) announced the winner of its annual Environmental Excellence Award: McAsphalt Industries’ Hamilton Terminal. The annual award recognizes a port partner’s contribution to respecting and protecting the natural environment. “Proactive environmental stewardship of the port’s industrial harbour is a job we take very seriously,” said HPA President & CEO Bruce Wood. “We encourage a high level of environmental performance on the part of our tenants, and McAsphalt is a superb example of a company that is showing leadership.”
The winner of HPA’s Environmental Excellence Award is invited to select a local Hamilton-area environmental organization to receive a $5,000 donation. McAsphalt has selected the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), and its Growing up Green Campaign, with a focus on the restoration of Cootes Paradise Marsh.
McAsphalt Industries was selected for the award because it has demonstrated continuous improvement in environmental protection. The company has achieved a Level 3 Green Marine score in the areas of spill prevention, community impact and environmental leadership. In 2011, McAsphalt’s new facility, located at the port’s Pier 24, was designed with the environment in mind. An extensive storm water management system was installed, which removes sediment while providing spill control. To address air emissions and odour, a carbon system was added to the truck loading area. The office was built re-using existing structures, and the company has implemented the ISO 14001 (environmental) management standard. The company also participated in Port of Hamilton’s Team Up to Clean Up event this past Earth Day.
“We would like to thank Hamilton Port Authority for this award and we are very excited to help contribute to the ongoing stewardship of such an important local ecosystem, the Cootes Paradise Sanctuary; a special thanks goes out to the Royal Botanical Gardens team for all their hard work and commitment, towards environmental protection and awareness,” said Joel Gardner of McAsphalt Industries.
“Royal Botanical Gardens is grateful to receive this generous donation to support the continued wetland restoration efforts of Cootes Paradise Marsh through its
Growing up Green Annual Campaign, which raises funds to champion efforts in environmental sustainability by expanding horticultural and conservation projects that ensure our local ecologically-sensitive nature sanctuaries are preserved for generations to come,” said Tys Theysmeyer, Head of Natural Lands, RBG.