A person uses a machine to blow seed into place after a construction project was done
Commitment

Environmental

Sustainable Standards

Michels is committed to good corporate citizenship and environmental leadership for a healthy environment. This commitment drives our operations and provides our customers with safe, reliable, and responsive construction services conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. We hold ourselves accountable to the high standards that have guided Michels since 1959 and believe our strategic, thoughtful actions today allow us to positively impact tomorrow.

Environmental Cornerstones

These 10 cornerstones represent Michels’ commitment to our Core Values and support our culture of continuous improvement. These foundational principles are built into our day-to-day work activities:

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Approved Limits of Disturbance

Always identify LOD stakes/markers and stay within approved work areas and approved access points.

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Good Housekeeping

Always keep yards and work areas clean, free of debris and trash, and in a neat and orderly condition.

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Spill Prevention & Reporting

Always assign a spill coordinator that knows the spill plan. Locate tanks/containers with proper containment and spill kits. All spills must be cleaned up and reported, regardless of size.

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Proper Waste Management & Recycling

Always follow waste minimization and best practices (e.g., label containers, separate waste types). Identify recycling opportunities with local vendors.

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Install & Maintain Erosion & Sediment Controls

Always install E&SCs according to the plan and/or specs. Never ignore damaged/failed devices and report when maintenance is needed.

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Keep Roadways Clean

Always keep roads clean from tracked sediment (street sweeping) and utilize rock construction entrances or other approved tracking pads.

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Protect Wetlands & Waterways

Always identify resource locations in the field with signage. Follow job-specific/permit requirements (e.g., crossing method, bridges, timber mats).

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Clean Dewatering

Always use properly sized dewatering structures or filter bags to discharge clean water. Do not pump and discharge milky, muddy, or cloudy water to water resources or storm drains.

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Reduce Vehicle Idling

Always consider when vehicles/equipment can be shut off to reduce emissions and fuel costs. Equipment should only idle during extreme weather and if necessary for specific equipment job functions.

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Know Job-Specific & Permit Requirements

Always follow job-specific requirements and attend environmental training to protect resources (e.g., biological, cultural, and other protected resources).

Sustainability Initiatives

Michels uses a hybrid crane to move large boulders

Greenhouse Gas Reduction

On average, Michels replaces 5% of our construction vehicles and equipment with newer units powered by engines that meet or exceed EPA Tier 4 emissions standards.

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Green Masters

Michels participates in this voluntary program for improving environmental performance, earning green professional status for the construction industry. The Green Masters Program identifies nine key areas that define business sustainability: energy, carbon, water, waste management, transportation, supply chain, education and outreach, workforce and governance.

Michels operates a recycle crushing plant alongside an interstate highway to turn used concrete into aggregate

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Michels continues to recycle tons of construction debris, such as concrete and asphalt, in our non-metallic mining operations. By repurposing used concrete and asphalt into usable aggregate, we help save space in landfills and preserve natural resources.

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Wisconsin Green Tier Program

Michels promotes continual environmental improvements at corporate support facilities across North America. In 2015, we were accepted into the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s Green Tier Program, which recognizes superior environmental performance and sustainability initiatives that go above and beyond regulatory requirements. As part of the program, we use an Environmental Management System (EMS) at our corporate campus in Brownsville, WI, equivalent to ISO 140001, which manages our commitment to environmental compliance, pollution prevention and continual improvement.

R1VER Milwaukee office building near a river.
Aggregates being poured by a Michels dump truck.
Four Michels crew members stand together
A collection of images depicting those who have displayed Michels Core Values.

Contact Us

Thank you for taking time to learn more about who we are and what we do. If you need additional information or are in need of a solution not addressed on these pages, please submit a message with your contact information.