PumperDump is the Solution to Pollution | The Responsible Choice

Our previous blogs explored the importance of effective concrete washout management to prevent damage to the environment. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at both the environmental impact of concrete washout as well as what makes PumperDump the responsible choice for your construction projects. It goes without saying, concrete remains one of the most widely used substances in construction projects in the world. Undeniably, it’s one of the most commonly made materials on the planet, and the demand for concrete is astronomical. As the population increases and cities expand, the demand for concrete only increases. The prevalence for concrete is one thing, but it is not the whole story. It’s also the case that the materials which make up concrete can be quite hazardous. Is concrete washout really that bad for the environment? It’s reasonable to wonder if all the racket made over concrete washout is all that justified. After all, concrete structures can be found far and wide, and they don’t seem to be harming anything. Is this perhaps just a case of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) being overly-cautious and simply extending its reach beyond where it belongs? In short – NO. Concrete washout really is that harmful to the environment. Sure, concrete structures are everywhere. Once concrete dries, it becomes a stock-still substance that no longer poses a threat. Before that, the concrete mixture – and the water that was used in it (not excluding the water that was used to clean off the tools and trucks) – is corrosive. This material contains, grout, plaster, cement, mortar, stucco and other materials that contain harmful chemicals. The danger arises from these materials leaking into local water sources. As previously mentioned, concrete washout water has a toxicity level greater than ammonia and near the same pH level as chlorine bleach. It’s obvious as to why PumperDump tries so hard to prevent these substances from reaching our local water systems. What can we do about concrete washout? So now that it is evident that concrete washout is permissibly harmful to ecosystems, including our waterways. We’ve established that the regulations and precautions implemented by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) are not mere overreactions. What now? What can be done about concrete washout? Good news, there are several ways to approach concrete washout. An approach to concrete washout that used to be very popular was washout pits and washout bags. We’ve discussed before why these “solutions” are a thing of the past. There are many risks – both environmentally and financially – that come from choosing either washout pits or washout bags. We do not recommend it. You simply do not want to make use of inefficient washout systems. Doing so risks:
  • Contaminating lakes and other swimming areas with high amounts of zinc and iron, which have proven to cause diabetes, cancer, skin irritation and other adverse side effects
  • Exposing fresh waterway to corrosive, caustic concrete washout water and materials that may result in all kinds of damage to ecosystems
  • Allowing calcium, magnesium oxide, and calcium – conventional ingredients in ready-mix concrete – to infiltrate our soil systems
What’s the responsible option PumperDump offers alternatives to the inefficient washout systems. We have brought together innovative technology, patented concrete washout separation units and blowback units, a dedication to efficient and quality services, and a passion for ethical environmental practices to bring the industry the best concrete washout solutions. All in all, we understand the importance of needing to tackle construction projects affordably and efficiently, whilst also maintaining ethical environment practices. PumperDump is the responsible choice. We are your solution to washout pollution. Get in contact with one of our concrete washout solution specialists at info@pumperdump.com.au or by using the PumperDump App (App Store) (Google Play)
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The Pumper Dump Solution

If you have arrived here after reading, and hopefully enjoying the previous posts, I would like to say thank you.

The story began many, many years ago, while walking in concrete slurry and mud, I thought there had to be a safer, cleaner way to deal with the concrete washout waste after washing a concrete pump.

So, I took to paper and came up with my concept.

Just like the concreters have moved on from pushing wheelbarrows, PumperDump has grown to offer more than just a bin service.

When using PumperDump we assist you to:

  • Avoid using plastic for washout trays
  • Avoid the use of your onsite plant equipment
  • Save your manual labour time and cost to clean up messes
  • Eliminate extra tip fees
  • Better manage any water runoff and possible pollution infringements
  • Give recyclers an uncontaminated product to recycle
  • Reduce unnecessary carbon emissions
  • Introduce sustainable practices while dealing with concrete waste
  • Improve onsite safety
  • One price no hidden costs

Just like the sustainability Venn diagram shows, sustainability covers many areas and we have grown and innovated through constant dialog with builders, assisting them to solve their problems, and in doing that, we have also been able to assist them with their sustainability goals.


It looks simple and is simple, but what this bin can offer is a lot more.

This following chart compares the process and time builders take to deal with the washout tray onsite compared to using PumperDump. It shows the extra plant machinery handling and truck movements taken when done the traditional way.


PumperDump’s Concrete Waste Separation Unit, (CWSU) as we call it, has a 1m3 volume, with an inner tray to capture the concrete and an outer tray to store the wash water to be processed and recycled. PumperDump trays have a larger volume than the standard tray and yes, they can also be overfilled, but the outer tray gives room for the water and a better indication of when the limit will be reached.

We give builders back their skip bin volume for real rubbish, keeping any overweight charges to a minimum and help them mitigate the risk of fines with no more water running out of transported skips.

We don’t tie up onsite plant leaving them to be better utilised for onsite operations.

PumperDump’s no plastic policy delivers the recycler an uncontaminated concrete waste. Instead of plastic, we use our specially formulated water-based concrete release agent on all our bins.

We offer certificates on the concrete and water collected and recycled and the volume of plastic diverted from landfill.

Even when construction has commenced, some builders and concreters are reluctant to use PumperDump, believing it’s an extra cost without seeing the many hidden costs already associated with the cleaning and disposal of concrete waste.

My story goes, from walking through concrete slurry and mud after washing a concrete pump, to starting and growing PumperDump, to now offering a range of services that will help you to a safer more sustainable concrete pumping 21th century.

Want to know more, then get in touch

#PumperDumpSolution #Construction #ConstructionIndustry #ConcreteRecycling #ContructionWaste #ConcreteSolutions #ConcreteManagement #ConcretePump #ConcreteWashout #ConcreteWasteManagement #C&DWaste #CircularEconomy #GreenBuilding #Pollution #NSW #NSWGovernment #Sustainability #Sydney #SydneyConstruction

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Challenges and Risks of Working with Concrete

Hello again, as mentioned in our introductory post, over the years we have had feedback from different builders in the industry about their problems.   As a growing company with a specialised service, we have used the feedback to help guide our growth to better serve the construction industry and assist in solving the problems and associated costs in that specific sector and making the full process sustainable. 

Here are some of the things we have learned

  • The cost of waste. The most generally talked about problem, is the increase in cost of waste over the years. Builders on larger sites have the option of getting different skip bins to separate waste streams and increase recycling and reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. The builders on confined spaces, besides having a logistical problem, need to reduce the amount of waste produced on their site. 
  • Some builders tell us that some skip bin companies are having an issue with wet concrete being tipped into their skips. This wet concrete when dried is getting stuck to the inside of the skip and causing a problem when they attempt to tipBesides getting stuck in the bin, the concrete also binds to the general waste making the separation of waste for recycling difficultresulting in sending more concrete to land fill.  
  • After a concrete pump has been washed and the washout water hasn’t been contained properly, council fines are a major concern. There is also the labour and time to clean up the mess and the cost can add up 
  • Hidden costs can make a budget blow out, so more builders are calculating their hidden costs associated with crane or manitou time relating to the movementin delivering and emptying the concrete washout tray, and also the waste cost when tipping the concrete into the onsite skip. There is also the time in finding storage space for the washout tray to live  
  • Sustainability is slowly becoming more important in the construction industry. Some of you may be nodding in agreement, some may be thinking not the greenies again! Sustainability encompasses, social, environmental, and economic factors. Those ahead of the curve may be looking for new systems to assist them to advance in that area. 
  • Plastic waste is becoming a bigger concern to some in the construction industry as a lot is used when pumping concrete. The contamination of plastic in concrete for recyclers is becoming bigger problem as recycling of a clean product can make money for some and save money for othersCompanies concerned in sustainable practices may be interested in reducing the use of plastic in this area. 

As we go through the different methods used by different builders, I’ll leave it up to you to make your own mind up. Maybe you have done the same or maybe you have found a different method that hahelped you make some savings. Feel free to comment as we are here to help each other out. 



Residential Building Waste
 
Let’s start with this residential builder. They have decided to contain their washout waste by lining the street with plastic. The common feedback from different builders when shown this shot, is about the hard labour needed to break up and remove the concrete. There is also the time to go to the tip and back, with tips fees, and that time could be better spent out on their boat, fishing! Jokes aside, each of us will have a thought on the cost of time and labour and how each of those can be spent productively 

  






EPA Fines and Personal Risk
 

There is the possible risk of a fine with this waste left on the road, not only as a driver’s hazard, but when the water is released, even though it would be clear, is still very high in pH and would run into the stormwater. 
 
No crane or manitou, just plastic, some shovels, a wheelbarrow and a pile of concrete and couple of young blokes, hopefully no bad backs, and off we go. Not sure what they will be doing with the water? 

Next post, the problem with plastic washout bags.  





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