An interview with Richard from Mapei Magazine 13/11/23
Richard Amadio, Director of PumperDump, highlights that environmental awareness in Australia remains low, with traditional disposal methods still widely used.
Environmental Awareness and Concrete Waste in Australia
Richard Amadio, Director of PumperDump, highlights that environmental awareness in Australia remains low, with traditional disposal methods still widely used.
Awareness of Concrete Waste Issues
Question: How high is the level of awareness in your geographical area regarding the environmental impact of returned concrete and washing water slurry?
Richard Amadio:
I believe that in Australia, the importance placed on waste streams — particularly on cleanly collecting and recycling concrete waste and concrete washout — isn’t yet high enough on anyone’s list of priorities.
The current focus on material and labour costs in the built environment is distracting from opportunities in the circular economy that could offer savings in different areas. While the carbon intensity of cement and concrete production is very high, this lack of concern around concrete waste is accentuated because builders can easily purchase Green Credits to tick 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 blowback bins with plastic and tip the dried concrete into on-site skip bins, comingling it with other building waste. Concrete contaminated by plastic greatly reduces the quality and quantity of material that can be recycled or upcycled into new concrete.
Meanwhile, the washout slurry water is often allowed to slop around, creating slip risks for workers and environmental run-off risks. The slurry portion 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.”
Increasing the Use of Recycled Aggregates
Question: In your opinion, what is the most important factor to increase the usage of recycled aggregates in new concrete?
Richard Amadio:
There are numerous factors needed to increase the use of recycled aggregates in concrete, and it starts with the prime driver: mindset.
This mindset shift will be supported by policy, regulation, and enabling technology:
- Policy builds awareness
- Regulation creates incentives
- Industry actors will then find the investment needed to innovate and collaborate
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.”
About PumperDump
PumperDump has been operating in Sydney, Australia for over 20 years, providing solutions that reduce the environmental impact, costs, and safety risks of concrete waste.
Sustainability has always been at the forefront of our business principles, driving innovation and the development of new systems for the industry — including the latest patent-pending 5 m³ blowback bin.
PumperDump is a member of the Green Building Council of Australia, which has played a major role in educating the industry, fostering collaboration, and helping develop new construction standards.
