PORTLAND, Maine - Dragon Cement and Concrete, a Portland-based company that operates New England's only cement manufacturing plant in Thomaston as well as more than 10 ready-mix concrete plants statewide, has received the Governor's Award for Waste Reduction for the private sector.

The award, presented to Dragon this month at the ninth annual Maine Solid Waste and Recycling Conference, is the result of the company's continued efforts to reduce waste and protect the environment. Dragon received the private sector award while the Chewonki Foundation won for the public sector.

"We're proud to receive recognition for projects that are both cost-effective and positive for the environment," said Dragon President Joseph M. Koch, III. "It's another example of Dragon's commitment as a responsible corporate citizen."

The Governor's Award stemmed from two recent Dragon initiatives: oversize rock management, and waste segregation and management during the cement plant's 2001 maintenance shutdown.

Dragon, which produces about 1.6 million tons of rock per year at its limestone quarry in Thomaston, changed how it handles pieces of rock that are too large for cement manufacturing or aggregate. By leasing a hydraulic hammer, Dragon workers now break down rock that is more than 3 feet in diameter, eliminating production losses and cutting hauling costs. The project not only reduced oversize waste by 24,000 tons, but workers also are reclaiming about 20,000 tons per year of previously stockpiled material.

The second project, implemented during Dragon's once-a-year plant shutdown for maintenance and repairs, aggressively increased the recovery of recyclable materials. In addition to recycling brick and other demolition material throughout the quarry, the effort resulted in the collection of more than 140 tons of scrap metal, two trailer loads of cardboard and more than 5,000 cubic yards of wood waste. More significantly, the project enabled Dragon to reduce both labor and disposal costs associated with waste management.

Dragon Cement and Concrete employs about 250 people statewide and is New England's only cement manufacturer. Dragon also is Maine's largest ready-mix concrete supplier with concrete plants in Biddeford, Westbrook, Portland, Lewiston, Brunswick, Augusta, Canton, Fairfield, Farmington, Madawaska and Presque Isle.

Dragon is known for supplying cement and concrete to a number of major building projects in the state, including the Nissen Bakery facility in Biddeford, the Casco Bay Bridge linking Portland and South Portland, the Brunswick/Topsham bypass on Route 1 and the expansion of National Semiconductor in South Portland. Dragon also supplies cement or concrete to paper mills, dams, homes, schools and commercial developments statewide.

In 1995, Dragon expanded into southern New England cement markets with the addition of a multi-modal marine and rail terminal and shipping operation. Today, "portland" cement produced in Thomaston is supplied to most ready-mix companies in the state as well as transported by barge throughout New England through Coastal Cement terminals in Newington, N.H., and Boston.

Dragon also has received numerous safety and environmental awards in the past three years.