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Fear tactics threaten one of America's greatest recycling success stories
ACAA is now engaged in advocating for the very survival of a multi-billion dollar industry built upon recycling the materials created when we burn coal to generate electricity. These materials have been used safely for decades in various applications, including concrete, metal alloys, plastic composites, and more. Full story>>
Say "YES" to recycling coal ash & "NO" to fear tactics that label coal ash "hazardous" and "toxic" against overwhelming
scientifically sound evidence
to the contrary.
Who is speaking up?
National, state and local policy- makers; state regulatory agencies; environmental advocates;
small businesses and labor organizations; engineers, scientists, architects, and more.
See what they're saying,
click here
Please voice your support today!
SEE LETTERS
For additional factual
information on coal ash from sources who are experts on these materials, please visit:
www.coalashfacts.org
& www.SmartAsh.info
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World's Tallest Building:
Made with fly ash concrete
The Khalifa Tower, in Dubai, UAE, was built
with fly ash concrete mixtures from 25% in the foundation, to 40% in the piled-raft mix,
and 13% in the superstructure.
The architect-engineer was
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP.
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The Pantheon
This historic structure was constructed nearly 2,000 years ago of concrete made with volcanic ash. Fly ash concrete is virtually identical in its composition and offers today's structures
long-lasting durability and resistance
to the elements.
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Welcome!
The American Coal Ash Association was established more
than 40 years ago, in 1968, as a trade organization devoted to recycling the materials created when we burn coal to produce electricity. Our members comprise the world's foremost experts on coal ash (fly ash and bottom ash), and boiler slag, flue gas desulfurization gypsum or "synthetic" gypsum, and other "FGD" materials captured by emissions controls. While other organizations focus on disposal issues, ACAA's mission is to advance the management and use of coal combustion products in ways that are:
- Environmentally responsible
- Technically sound
- Commerically competitive
- Supportive of a sustainable global community
We achieve our mission by hosting workshops, symposia
and other industry gatherings to promote understanding and facilitate connections; we publish a biannual magazine,
ASH at Work, and an exclusive member newsletter, The Phoenix, and post website updates to keep members and stakeholders engaged in ongoing developments; we archive research reports and industry documents going back 40 years; and we offer expertise in support of recycling coal ash, boiler slag and FGD materials. Every two years we co-host the industry's most prominent event, "The World of Coal Ash," with participants from 30 countries.
Coal Combustion "Products"
Emphasizing the Commercial Value
of Recycling Industrial Materials
The materials created by coal-fueled electricity generation
are recognized internationally as "products," e.g. "coal combustion products." The term "products" was coined by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to emphasize the commercial value of recycling industrial materials, including tire scraps, foundary sands and slags, iron and steel slag, pulp and paper, and constuction and demolition materials. The EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge and the Industrial Resources Council are excellent sources of information on industrial recycling.
The EPA has set national priorities to increase what the agency terms "beneficial use." In 2008, the United States produced more than 130 million tons of coal combustion products. While 43 percent were used beneficially, nearly 75 million tons were disposed of. The ACAA collects and analyzes these numbers every year and releases the data in CCP Production & Use Reports.
Fly Ash: The Coal Combustion Product
in Greatest Demand
Fly ash is the coal combustion product recycled most, primarily in concrete to enhance its strength and resistance to the elements. Last year the U.S. produced about 70 million tons of this material and nearly 45 percent was recycled. The chemical make-up of fly ash is nearly identical to volcanic ash. The Roman Empire used volcanic ash to create concrete for structures we admire today. Concrete made with fly ash extends the life of construction projects by decades, minimizing the need for and environmental impacts of rebuilding. Plus, long lasting infrastructure saves taxpayers. Fly ash requires no kilning and therefore produces no carbon dioxide nor other emissions, unless blended with traditional materials. Also, fly ash concrete uses dramatically less water. Some projects have completely replaced traditional materials with fly ash to cement aggregates to produce concrete. Fly ash comes in two classes:"Class C" and "Class F"; Class C is self-cementing and can be mixed on the project site. In most cases fly ash is not only less expensive, but technically superior as long as those involved are well informed. Builders, engineers, architects, scientists, and others are continually developing and perfecting product specifications. The American Coal Ash Association serves a critical role keeping industry apprised and engaged.
To learn more, please explore our website and/or
contact us for further details.
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