ATTENTION OWNERS, DEVELOPERS & ESTIMATORS:
Inexpensive alternative to crushed rock construction fill is available now from Columbia Steel.
What is foundry sand and slag construction fill?
Foundry sand and slag are sustainable, cost-saving alternatives to crushed quarry rock and natural sand. Their many uses include non-residential construction fill, pipe bedding, utility trench backfill, and road construction. These DEQ-approved materials are available at a very reasonable cost from Columbia Steel’s North Portland plant.
Columbia’s foundry sand is natural Olivine rock that is mined in Washington State, crushed and screened, and then used to make molds for steel castings. As an angular grain material, it compacts well and stays put better than any natural sand. Our slag is produced during our metal melting process and is mostly re-melted limestone.
A safe and sustainable choice
Both materials have been thoroughly tested to ensure they meet DEQ requirements for use as non-residential construction fill. The environmental benefits of substituting industrial waste materials for virgin materials includes conserving energy, reducing the need to extract natural resources, and reducing demand for disposal facilities.
DEQ requirements for using foundry sand and slag fill are:
Approved uses include non-residential construction fill, pipe bedding, utility trench backfill, basement fill, underground storage tank decommissioning, building pads, and road construction.
The fill material must be placed above normal groundwater levels, and not in wetlands, lakes, streams, or other sensitive environmental zones.
The fill material must be covered upon job completion — for example, with asphalt, concrete, soil, sand, or crushed rock.
As with any fill material, during transfer, storage, and use, appropriate precautions should be taken to minimize dust generation and stormwater erosion.
For additional specifications and sales inquiries, please contact:
Bruce Schacht, Environmental Engineer
Phone: 503-286-0685 Ext. 286
Email: bruce_s@columbiasteel.com
Fax: 503-240-8488
or
Dave Faust, Facilities Manager
Phone: 503-286-0685 Ext. 200
Email: dave_f@columbiasteel.com
Fax: 503-240-8488