An exciting new innovation in the waste industry is currently unfolding as Australia embarks on a ground-breaking trial – the first-ever recycled kerbs project underway at the Pakenham Level Crossing Removal. This ambitious initiative is a collaborative effort between Victoria’s Big Build, the University of Melbourne Faculty of Engineering, and Porous Lane, a cutting-edge company specialising in tyre recycling. The venture has not only captured attention but has also received substantial support, including a grant from Sustainability Victoria, showcasing the industry’s commitment to pioneering sustainable practices.
At the heart of this project is the development and assessment of a sustainable concrete kerb replacement. Serving as a crucial barrier between road pavement and the nature strip, this innovative kerb is designed not only to guide rainwater into stormwater drains but also to protect the road edge from erosion. What makes this project truly ground-breaking is the composition of a segment of the kerb within the new East Pakenham Station car park – a unique blend of granulated waste tyres and crushed rock, bound together seamlessly by an epoxy binder, completely eliminating the need for traditional cement.
Wanless synergy with recycled kerbs initiative
Wanless has been recycling building and construction waste since 1958. We have collected and processed millions of tonnes of concrete, steel and other metals, asphalt, aggregates, brick, treated timber, soil, plastics, gyprock and green waste – as a result, Wanless is eagerly invested in this space.
Over the next few years, the recycled kerb’s performance will undergo meticulous evaluation, scrutinising its quality, strength, effectiveness in filtering debris from rainwater, proper rainwater drainage, and the overall health of the planted vegetation in the area. The potential success of this trial at the East Pakenham Station car park holds the promise of transforming future projects. This achievement could mark a significant leap towards substituting concrete in larger-scale endeavours, ultimately contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and propelling Victoria closer to its net-zero future.
Beyond East Pakenham – the future of tyre recycling
Notably, the trial is not limited to the car park alone; its success could extend to the removal of 22 crossings, including prominent locations like Main Street, McGregor Road, and Racecourse Road in Pakenham, as part of the broader Pakenham Line project. Supporting this innovative leap is the Circular Economy Markets Fund, administered by Sustainability Victoria under the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy. This funding not only reinforces the commitment to sustainable practices but also showcases the collaborative efforts driving positive change in the waste management landscape.
To find out more about this, or Wanless’s success in the construction waste management space, contact us today.