Tag: Sustainability

Recycling concrete waste: the state should make the first move

Posted on by Dave

An interview with Richard from Mapei Magazine 13/11/23

Richard Amadio, Director of PumperDump: Environmental awareness in Australia is still very low with traditional disposal methods still being employed

— How high is the level of awareness in your geographical area regarding the environmental impact of returned concrete and washing water slurry?

I believe that in Australia the importance placed on waste streams, and particularly on cleanly collecting and recycling concrete waste and concrete washout, isn’t yet high enoughon anyone’s list of priorities. The current focus on material and labour costs in the built environment is distracting from current opportunities in the circular economy that could offer savings in different areas. Whilst the carbon intensity of cement and concrete production is very high, this lack of concern around concrete waste is accentuated because builders can easily and simply go and buy Green Credits to tick the environmental boxes. This practice creates inadequate incentives which act as a major barrier to progress.Builders are still happy to line concrete washout trays and blow back bins using plastic and tip the dried concrete into the on-site skip bin, comingling it with other building waste. Concrete contaminated by plastic greatly reduces the quality and quantity of what can be recycled or considered for upcycling into new concrete.The washout slurry water is allowed to slop around and go wherever it runs, creating slip risks for workers and environmental run-off risk. The slurry part of the washout process isn’t even considered as a resource for the circular economy!

“THE CURRENT FOCUS ON MATERIAL AND LABOUR COSTS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IS DISTRACTING AUSTRALIANS FROM CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY THAT COULD OFFER SAVINGS IN DIFFERENT AREAS”

— In your opinion, what is the most important factor to be able to increase the usage of recycled aggregates in new concrete?

We believe that there are numerous factors needed to increase the usage of recycled aggregates in concrete and it starts with the prime driver, mindset. The mindset shift required will be assisted by policy, regulation and enabling technology. Policy will build awareness, regulation will create incentive and industry actors will undoubtedly then find the investment needed to innovate and collaborate to go forward. Clean waste streams, new systems, infrastructure and processes will follow to deliver upcycled concrete that uses significant proportions of recycled aggregate.

“THERE ARE NUMEROUS FACTORS NEEDED TO INCREASE THE USAGE OF RECYCLED AGGREGATES IN CONCRETE AND IT STARTS WITH THE PRIME DRIVER, MINDSET.”

— PUMPERDUMP

PumperDump has been operating in Sydney, Australia over the past 20 years providing solutions that assist in lowering the environmental impact, costs and safety risk of concrete waste. Sustainability has always been at the forefront of our business principles, driving further innovation and development of new systems for the industry, including the latest patent-pending 5 m3 blowback bin. PumperDump is member of The Green Building Council of Australia which has had a major role in educating, bringing people together, and helping develop new standards for the construction industry.


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GBCA Members | Sustainability in the Sydney Building and Construction Industry

Posted on by Taylor
PumperDump is proud to be acknowledged becoming a member of the Green Building Council of Australia. Our membership demonstrates our commitment to “the sustainable transformation of the built environment”. PumperDump’s core vision aligns with the GBCA in being able to proudly and ethically recycle 100% of all concrete waste and washout water resulting from construction activity, providing a sustainable and zero emissions future for our construction clients as well as for our industry. pumperdump-5M3 truck This is an association with Australia’s sustainability leaders who are committed to:
  • Supporting the creation of buildings and other infrastructure that are environmentally responsible and result in sustainable, efficient, profitable and healthy places for communities to live and work in.
  • Fostering a strong bind amongst peers and associates in the building, design, construction, and sustainable operations industries;
  • Encouraging the development and promotion of sustainable communities and environmentally responsible building practices;
  • Leading market transformation in sustainability and campaigning for the wider recognition of environmentally responsible buildings and practices;
  • Supporting and encouraging educational and research programs aimed at raising the knowledge and skill base of green building practitioners;
  • Actively aligning with relevant publicly funded research to the practice/market requirements for innovation and development in green building implementation;
  • Participating in public debate on environmental issues within the building industry;
  • Supporting the campaigning and soliciting of funds to be applied towards the GBCA’s objectives;
  • Acting with integrity, due care, and in a manner that upholds the reputation of the works and objectives of the GBCA and Green Star rating tools, its officers and employees.
We are pleased to be joining some of the industry’s most influential players on the Green Building Council of Australia register. Below are some of PumperDump’s clients who too are accredited members of the GBCA. Read below some of the exciting developments these companies are currently involved in around Sydney. ADCO Constructions With a national presence across Australia for nearly 50 years, ADCO Construction is one of the oldest and most established construction companies in Australia. A company committed to delivering quality to their clients, ADCO Constructions has managed to build a legacy amongst the industry – with over 3500 projects, valued in excess of $14 billion. Amongst their roaring success, ADCO is also a proud member of the Green Building Council of Australia and remain committed to the success and increased adoption of sustainable construction practices. Some of ADCO Construction’s recent Sydney projects include being the building partner for the next Property Industry Foundation (PIF) House in Sydney, which will give five homeless youth a safe and secure place to live. Hutchinson Builders Established in 1912, Hutchinson Builders is one of Australia’s largest privately-owned building and construction companies. Hutchinson Builders have transformed into a dynamic and diverse construction company, delivering sophisticated projects across a comprehensive portfolio. With 300+ projects built annually, “Hutchies” was able to generate a $2.87 billion turnover in 2020 alone. As members of the Green Building Council of Australia, they are leading the way in developing sustainable approaches and building services systems which address the key environmental criteria associated within the construction industry. With one in every 12 Green Star Rated building in Australia been built by Hutchinson Builders, they have delivered more than $2 billion Green Star Rated buildings. Hutchinson Builders have recently undertaken the first phase of truss installation for the Castle Residence project, working alongside United Development Sydney, bringing together high-end apartments with five-star luxury hotel services and amenities. Richard Crookes Constructions A private, family owned construction company that has been delivering projects as promised; safely and to the highest quality throughout NSW and ACT since 1976. Richard Crookes Constructions remains committed to continually improving the integration of sustainability into their working environment and business processes. RCC aims to portray a proactive role in contributing towards achieving sustainability where they have an influence in the delivery of construction. Whilst being members of the Green Building Council of Australia, Richard Crookes Constructions remains committed to following key objectives with regards to; Sustainable construction, reduced operational resources and sustainable reuse at end of service life. Current projects included the redevelopment of the Wyong Hospital in Hamlyn Terrace, NSW. PumperDump looks forward to pushing the sustainability agenda for all our projects for the benefit of our clients and the community. 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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Agreeing on a Problem that Needs to be Solved

Posted on by Richard

In summary, the problem associated to the residential builder, is the same as the builder who uses the washout bags, washout trays and piles the concrete in a heap. They all have a degree of hidden costs associated with the handling of the concrete washout waste.

These range in degree of costs in the areas:

  • Use of plastic
  • Use of onsite plant
  • Time for manual labour to clean up messes
  • Extra tip fees
  • Uncontained water runoff and possible pollution infringements
  • Giving the recycler a plastic contaminated product to recycle
  • Unnecessary carbon emitted
  • Unsustainable practices while dealing with concrete waste
  • Onsite safety

I ask you, is this because the builders view the concrete industry like it was in the 1930’s, or because they believe there is no other option on how to deal with this waste, or is it because builders just don’t notice all the hidden costs associated with this process?

Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge

I have on many occasions taken people through our cost comparison chart and they have agreed with the cost savings in using PumperDump, then continue to go back to the same old ways. Change is hard, I know because I also need to do it, but change is what drives improvement.

Even though the word “Sustainability” hasn’t been shouted until recently, the practices have always been there when improving site safety, the environment and the bottom line. Sustainability is now expanding the core areas and the responsibility along the chain is becoming more accountable.

The belief that the waste in the bin is someone else’s problem, is now coming back to the creator of the waste. Builders need to and are becoming more aware of their responsibility on running a building site.

Concrete pumping has never been scrutinised under a microscope, but if viewed through a sustainable lens, builders can reap large benefits over large projects when these practices are implemented.



If you are facing the same problems as theses other builders and are willing to look for a solution and a better way, give me the time to show you what we can offer.

My next post,  what you have told us you need, to solve this problem.

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

Want to know more, then get in touch

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A Sustainable Solution

Posted on by Richard

Builders have been telling me that they need a sustainable solution to address the problem.

Sustainability

Sustainability is defined as the ability of a system to exist constantly at a cost, in a universe that evolves towards thermodynamic equilibrium, the state with maximum entropy. In the 21st century, it refers generally to the capacity for the biosphere and human civilisation to coexist. For many in the field, sustainability is defined through the following interconnected domains or pillars: environment, economic and social. 

Sustainability is not environmentalism and people in the construction industry are slowly recognising the difference.

The Venn diagram shows how sustainability intertwines different areas to achieve a better outcome. Sustainability is slowly becoming the way to do business as large funding organisations are requiring better accountability before finance is approved.


Adams, W.M. (2006). The Future of Sustainability: Re-thinking Environment and Development in the Twenty-first Century. Report of the IUCN Renowned Thinkers Meeting, 29–31 January 2006 (PDF). Retrieved 16 February2009.

The increasing focus and relevance of sustainability in the construction industry is more than just ‘being green’, sustainability encompasses, social, environment and economic, and I believe that “concrete pumping” as an industry, needs to be viewed in a new light as it has a major role in construction and the hidden costs and opportunities for a sustainable process should not be overlooked.

My next post, a solution proposed.

#ConcreteWaste #Construction #ClimateChange #Sustainability #PumperDump

Want to know more, then get in touch

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Aggravating the Process and Contributing to the Waste

Posted on by Richard

I have tried not to make any comments in the past posts but, I was confused why the builder was even using the tray when all they would do is tip it into a pile on the ground. The pile of concrete is contaminated with plastic from the tray lining like the other methods mentioned in my previous posts.


The piling and removal of the concrete would mean double, even triple handling of this waste. This pile would only amount to a very small portion of the leftover concrete on this site. What a mess!

Concrete mixers have also poured their remaining concrete on the pile instead of returning it to the batching yard. This will save the builder money, but now the builder will need to organise a machine on site with a hammer to break up the concrete before it can be loaded and taken to a tip or recycler.

The mess left over is quite obvious. It may bother some builders and maybe not others, having a site with this amount of slurry left that could create a hazard, a cost and generally poor look.

My next post,  summary of the problems.

#ConcreteWaste #BadPractice #Sustainability #PumperDump

Want to know more, then get in touch

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