waste handling

March 24 2020

Effective Industrial Waste Management Methods

maj News ethical disposal of waste, liquid waste management, waste handling

We are all living in a country that’s grappling with proper waste management, right? Well, waste management is essential yet tricky for industrialised economies and sometimes proves a challenge for some countries.

Most countries are generating millions of tons of waste by the year, and the largest concern remains that of finding effective methods of managing this waste.

Ever wondered why waste management proves to be a menace for any developed and developing country? Waste management starts right from the disposal, which may water down any efforts of proper waste management.

The most effective methods of waste management are those that aim at reducing, reusing, and recycling waste material. Here are some of the most effective methods of managing waste:

Segregation
Recycling
Composting
Use of Landfills
Incineration/Combustion
Waste minimisation/Avoidance

Segregation

Effective waste management starts from the dumping of waste material, and it is important to separate the various types of waste materials.

Proper waste management also requires that the general public understands the various types of waste and whether they decompose.

With waste management being a collective effort by authorities, homeowners, and business owners, proper separation of waste material at the point of disposal helps greatly in waste management.

Various waste products such as plastics, glass, and other packaging materials take different durations to decompose, and some don’t decompose at all. As such, disposal points should have various bins to help separate the various waste types.

Such segregation efforts help separate hazardous waste from decomposable, recyclable, non-hazardous, and other materials. Essentially, segregation makes it easier to take action on each type of waste without much effort.

Recycling

Most of the waste in our modern societies probably comes from the increasing needs for production, packaging, and shipping. Most of the waste produced today may not be compostable or reusable but is definitely recyclable.

The first step to effective waste management is to identify waste that can be recycled. What follows is setting up dumpsters or bins into which such waste can be sorted. Materials such as PVC, PP, LDEP, and PS are recyclable.

As such, most recycling centres handle plastic, paper, and glass recycling. Cardboard, scrap metal, electronic waste, and food waste may also be recycled.

It is important to note that effective recycling depends on effective segregation and separation of waste materials. This helps eliminate hazardous waste from that which can be recycled.

Composting

Composting helps convert organic waste into fertilizer for crop production. Food waste is often composted, and unsafe organic material may also be converted into safe composting.

Other materials that can be composted include sawdust, pieces of cardboard, newspaper, and straw. Composting is a form of reusing and recycling organic waste and also provides soil with nutrients for crop growth.

Use of Landfills

Landfills are a common waste management method that is used for non-compostable, non-hazardous, and non-recyclable waste. Such waste is dumped in a landfill and later buried in the earth.

Such landfills are confined to a small area to reduce the area that may be polluted. Landfills are cost-efficient and reduce the effect of waste on the environment.

Incineration

This method involves the combustion of waste into base components. Incineration can also be a ‘waste to energy’ process where the heat generated is used to generate energy. The use of filters helps manage levels of pollution.

This method is quite inexpensive and helps reduce waste volume by about 90%.

Waste Minimisation

Waste minimisation seeks to address the frequency of waste formation through production. It is the perfect method of reducing the amount of waste to deal with and helps prevent the increase in waste products.

Conclusion

Waste management is essential for regulating the amount of waste in the environment. As such, methods such as composting, recycling, and incineration help manage non-toxic wastes.

Segregation is also an efficient method that helps separate the various types of waste while the use of landfills and waste minimisation help reduce the volume of waste in the environment, thereby reducing pollution.

IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REQUIRES LIQUID OR SOLID WASTE REMOVAL, OR HYDRO EXCAVATION, PLEASE CALL US AT PRESSURE WORKS TODAY ON 0419 577 441 OR CONTACT US THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.

December 19 2019

What Are The Main Benefits Of Vacuum Loading?

maj News high powered vacuum systems, Hydro Vacuum Excavation, Vacuum Loading Confined Spaces, waste handling

Are you looking for a safe way to remove and dispose of sludge, hazardous liquids, and even fine loose materials? Are you limited by space and unable to use traditional methods of removing debris? If so, you should look no further than vacuum loading.

Vacuum loading uses a vacuum truck consisting of a pump and a tank. The pump provides suction with enough power to suck materials and deposit it in the storage/carrier tank.

The truck transports the debris to the approved deposit site for safe disposal. By using vacuum loading, you stand to accrue the following benefits:

It is cost-effective
Vacuum loading is faster than traditional loading methods
It accords personnel with better safety
Vacuum loading is versatile enough to in use a wide variety of scenarios

Vacuum Loading Is Cost-Effective

For debris recovery, vacuum loading has the notable benefit of being cost-effective. The main contributing factor is that vacuum loading does not involve the deployment and use of many machines.

The vacuum loader truck comes fitted with everything it needs to complete a job. For instance, the vacuum pump and debris tank are installed onto the truck. As such, you can vacuum material and transport it using a single truck.

Therefore, the associated cost of recovering and disposing of materials is reduced significantly. Additionally, the improved efficiency associated with vacuum loading increases the cost-saving for end users.

Vacuum Loading Is Fast

Unlike other material recovery methods, vacuum loading is exceptionally fast. Since the process of vacuuming uses a single truck for the entire process, it is much quicker.

For instance, the recovery equipment does not have to recover and load the material into a different vehicle, which is a time-consuming process. After the recovery of the material, it is diverted into the tank in a single operation.

It Is Much Safer For All Involved

The safety credentials of the vacuum loading process is another significant benefit. The personnel need only direct the vacuum hose to the material, and the vacuum pump sucks the material.

This reduces the risk of materials hitting users. The personnel can even set up the vacuum hose for remote material removal, further increasing their safety.

Vacuum Loading Is Versatile To Use In A Wide Variety Of Extreme Environments

In some cases, vacuum loading is the only material recovery method you can use. For instance, if you are working in confined spaces, traditional methods of debris recovery such as using diggers or a backhoe are quite simply untenable.

However, it is in such environments that vacuum loading comes stands out on its own. It allows users to excavate material in confined spaces without the need for a lot of space for the equipment.

The same applies to excavation projects involving hazardous materials and gases. As mentioned above, vacuum loading is much safer for the personnel as they do not have to come into contact with excavated material.

In some cases, the excavation personnel can work remotely, reducing the chances of inhaling hazardous gases. Vacuum loading also has the unique advantage of helping negate the adverse effects of spillages.

If a spillage is left unchecked, dangerous material percolates into the ground, affecting groundwater and soil quality. Vacuum loading allows emergency personnel to recover the material efficiently.

Additionally, you can use vacuum loading in projects such as hydro mud, marble slurry, concrete and drill slurry removal, drain cleaning, vessel, and tank cleaning, pile, pier, and bore cleaning, and much more.

As such, even when you cannot use other excavation/recovery methods, you can still rely on vacuum loading for your project.

Conclusion

Vacuum loading has excellent utility in industrial, commercial, and construction projects. As a material recovery method, it has a lot of benefits that other excavation and recovery methods cannot attain.

IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REQUIRES LIQUID OR SOLID WASTE REMOVAL, OR HYDRO EXCAVATION, PLEASE CALL US TODAY AT PRESSURE WORKS ON 0419 577 441 OR CONTACT US THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.

November 24 2019

Can Suction Trucks be Used for Dry Waste as Well as Liquid Waste?

maj News Environmental Protection, ethical disposal of waste, liquid waste disposal, suction trucks, waste handling

Can suction trucks be used to collect dry waste as well as liquid waste? Suction trucks are most commonly associated with liquid waste but can remove dry waste too. Read below to learn more.

Suction trucks are most commonly used to remove sewage, clear septic tanks, and clean up spillages. However, what a lot of people don’t realise is that they can often be used to handle dry waste too.

Safe, Hygenic and Rapid Waste Removal

Suction trucks are used to remove liquid waste in a safe, hygienic fashion. They are useful because they can handle waste quickly and even minimise (but not completely stop) odours too.

Often, these trucks can be parked some distance away from the area that the waste is to be removed from. This is handy in areas where direct access to the site is not possible or would be inconvenient for other local residents.

Vacuum trucks offer an economical solution for waste management, and since the trucks are sealed and robust they allow for the safe transport of waste.

What Can Vacuum Trucks Transport

The most common things that these trucks transport are:

Sludge
Oils
Liquids
Caustics
Other dangerous liquid chemicals

However, they can also be used to extract and transport other substances. They are particularly efficient at the transport of solids that ‘behave like liquids’ such as powders, dust, and grains:

Sawdust
Polluted soil
Fine dust or ash
Dry bulk powders
Grains
Grits
Cement dust
Sand, gravel or blasting grit

How Suction Trucks Can Help With Cleanup

Suction trucks are useful because they allow for the collection of contaminants without excessive disturbance. If you ‘sweep up’ dry waste then there is the risk that dust will be kicked up into the air.

While that will still happen to some extent with vacuum trucks, it is less of a problem.

You can remove gravel, dust, sand, and powders from a site and comprehensively remove these particles without fear of kicking up too much dust.

As a result, the environmental impact of the cleanup operation is greatly reduced. This makes suction waste removal much better from a health and safety perspective compared to more traditional waste removal methods.

When removing water or liquid waste, hundreds of litres can be collected in a matter of minutes. The rate of suction may be slightly reduced for dry waste, depending on the size and shape of the waste, but it is generally rapid and safe.

Once the waste is in the container, it can travel along normal highways and be taken to a safe disposal site. Liquid waste should be treated before it is released, especially if the waste is a form of faecal sludge.

There are strict regulations dictating how much sludge should be collected, transported, stored and treated. The same is true for dry waste management.

Depending on the nature of the waste that you are trying to dispose of you may need to work with a specialist waste management company to ensure that it is treated appropriately.

Contaminated soil and potentially hazardous waste products should not be sent to landfill, or simply tipped into an open area.

The waste could break down and contaminate groundwater or have a significant negative impact on local wildlife.

When choosing a waste management company, look for one that is properly certified and insured, that pays attention to health and safety and to environmental safety too.

Pressure Works have many years of experience in hydro excavation and in suction/vacuum extraction and can advise you on the best options for safe waste removal.

We also provide non-destructive digging services so that you can manage your operation safely and efficiently with minimal impact on those around you, and on the environment.

IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REQUIRES LIQUID OR SOLID WASTE REMOVAL, OR HYDRO EXCAVATION, PLEASE CALL US TODAY ON 0419 577 441 OR CONTACT US THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.

August 18 2019

What Are Professional Water Jetting Services Used For?

maj News blocked sewers, Dewatering Solutions, liquid waste disposal, waste handling, water jetting services

The performance of a sewer line or plumbing line is reliant on discharge flowing unobstructed and freely.

Any clog that builds up in the plumbing line impedes the free-flow of the wastewater.

In worst-case scenarios, the blockages can render a plumbing line or sewer line useless as it cannot evacuate the wastewater from a house or commercial property.

While there are plenty of technologies and techniques used to remove the obstruction and unblock the plumbing line and sewer line, water jetting is probably the best solution in use today.

It combines elements of being effective, non-destructive, and versatile. You can use water jetting for:

Routine plumbing maintenance.
Unblock clogged plumbing systems
Remove severe and tough obstructions from the sewer lines and plumbing.
High-pressure surface cleaning.

What Is The Use Of Water Jetting Services?

#1. Water Jetting For Routine Maintenance – Regular maintenance of the plumbing system is essential to its longevity and proper functionality.

As such, regular and scheduled cleaning of the plumbing system is necessary to reduce the build-up of clogs.

Professional plumbers use water jetting to clean the plumbing system and the sewer lines.

Pressure Works Drain cleaning services ensure that the inside channels of the plumbing system and in some cases, the outside of the surfaces of the lines, are free of any obstructions.

#2. Water Jetting For Emergency Blockages – Aside from the regular maintenance of plumbing lines, water jetting is used in emergency cases.

Even with proper maintenance, your plumbing or sewer line can still get clogged.

The high-pressure water jet, in such cases, is used to unblock the drainage by pulverising the clogging materials, allowing wastewater to flow unobstructed.

It breaks down the debris and sludge while emulsifying the oils and grease, leaving the plumbing clean.

Furthermore, the high-pressure water jet is also capable of handling emergency tree root removal.

#3. Getting Rid Of Tough Obstructions In The Plumbing Lines – A wide variety of causes can cause plumbing blockage.

While grease and oils are the most common of blockage debris, there are plenty of other items that can block the drains and the sewer lines.

Think of hardened scale, globes of hair, chewing gum, plastics and other things that need to be removed.

Traditionally, unblocking drains and sewer lines blocked by such tough items meant disassembly of the pipes and sewer lines.

Water jetting allows plumbers to unblock the drains without having to go through the process of drain disassembly.

#4. Water Jetting For High-Pressure Cleaning – Water jetting is also used for cleaning.

A high-pressure unidirectional water jet has the capacity and capability to get rid of any type of tough dirt, grime, and grease.

As such, water jetting is used to clean, restore and refurbish concrete, wooden surfaces, tile surfaces, and much more giving such surfaces a new shine.

In the same light, water jetting is also used to remove paint, graffiti, and chewing gum.

The high-pressure water jet is capable of obliterating the dirt and paint that covers surfaces, leaving a clean surface behind.

Final Thoughts

Water jetting has proved to be effective in cutting through fat, oil, grease, soil debris, hardened scale, roots, and much more.

Therefore, it can effectively deal with any and all types of obstructions that a typical commercial, industrial, and residential property experiences.

As the process is non-destructive, it ensures your delicate plumbing systems do not suffer from damage in the cleaning process.

By carrying out proper investigations of where the clog is, and using the right-size hydro-jetting head further, you can reduce the chances of damaging the plumbing system.

Whether you are in need of having a septic tank emptied, or you want a blocked sewer de-clogged, it is important that you call in a professional service.

If you have a project that requires a water jetting service, please call us today on 0419 577 441 or contact us through our website https://www.pressureworks.com.au/contact/.

August 18 2019

What Is The Difference Between Sludge And Liquid Waste?

maj News ethical disposal of waste, high powered vacuum systems, liquid waste disposal, Sumps Sewers And Septic Tanks, waste handling

Sludge and slurry are the by-products produced by wastewater, refining, and industrial treatment processes which can contain, depending on the industry, non-hazardous water, biosolids, oils, mud, and other debris.

Both sludge and slurry contain a wet mixture of solid and liquid components. A sludge mixture is thick and soft while a slurry mixture is thin and sloppy.

Sludge or slurry waste can be stored in holding tanks or packaged in intermediate bulk containers, approved small containers or drums.

Effluent pumps are used for pumping effluent or water containing soft solids in suspension for removal and storage or further processing.

What is Sludge?

The term is widely used for a range of materials that contain a mixture of solids and water. The solid components in sludge can consist of:

inorganic material such as sand, rocks or other debris as well as the ash components of organic waste material
slowly digestible organic material
dead microbial cell mass

The particle size and PSD (Particle Size Distribution) of materials derived from different sources can vary from very fine to large some of which can be cohesive (sticking together) while others such as sand are generally non-cohesive.

Biosolids are stabilised or treated sewage sludge material produced during the biological treatment process of sewage.

Biosolids can be a reusable resource for agriculture as it contains significant amounts of organic matter, nutrients, moisture, and trace elements.

What is Slurry?

Slurry is a flowable suspension of small particles suspended in a liquid.

It can be a mixture of liquid waste from some types of industries or a thin watery mixture of fine, insoluble materials such as clay, mud or cement.

What is Liquid Waste?

Liquid waste is any kind of liquid residue that is hazardous to the environment or the health of people.

Usually, this type of waste generally comes from restaurants, laboratories, industrial buildings where tank cleaning operations are carried out, washing machine facilities, and other facilities where waste accumulates.

This includes septic tanks, grease traps, prescribed waste, solvents, resins, paints, oily water, surfactants, clinical or medical waste, and pesticides among others.

The most dangerous is chemical waste such as alcohols, formaldehyde, corrosive substances such as caustics and acids, quarantine waste and contaminated soil.

Dumping of liquid waste by chemical factories can cause serious problems by pollution the environment and damaging the health of people who rely on it.

Liquid waste should be removed by a professional waste disposal company that can dispose of all retail, commercial, industrial, hospitality, and domestic liquid waste.

They can provide services such as cleaning out septic tanks, degreasing oily waters and grease traps and pumping out, transporting, treating, and disposing of all liquid waste and sludge.

How is Sludge and Slurry Waste Handled?

Any type of liquid waste can be safely collected, treated and correctly disposed of at a licensed liquid waste treatment facility where strict EPA guidelines are followed.

A range of innovative sludge harvesting and processing technologies are used by highly trained and experienced personnel as part of a complete waste management solution.

The type of processing solution utilised will depend on the volume and quantity of contaminants present.

Sludge and slurry can be removed by using vacuum tankers for large volumes or safely packaged and transported for disposal, storage, or further processing.

Sludge and Slurry Processing

Clean liquids from sludge and slurry can be released to sewage while contaminated liquids are further treated and processed at a waste treatment plant.

Depending on the composition of the mixture, contents such as fats, grease or oil can be reused in a composting process in organic processing facilities for use in agriculture.

Remaining solids and muds are disposed of at landfills.

Large quantities of contaminants can be eliminated by sludge incineration, thereby bypassing waste to landfills.

Appropriate slurry, sludge, and liquid waste disposal services contribute greatly to keeping the environment as safe and clean as possible.

Whether you are in need of having a septic tank emptied, or you want a blocked sewer de-clogged, it is important that you call in a professional service.

They will be able to properly handle the volume of waste you need, de-water the waste, and then dispose of it at an appropriate site.

If you have a project that requires liquid waste removal using a hydro vacuum service, please call us today on 0419 577 441 or contact us through our website https://www.pressureworks.com.au/contact/.

July 29 2019

Where Is The Waste From Blocked Sewers Disposed Of?

maj Vacuum Excavation blocked sewers, Dewatering Solutions, ethical disposal of waste, vacuum excavation, waste handling

Do you have a blocked or clogged sewer? Do you know the best way to clean them and get rid of the smell? Where does the waste get disposed of? Please read below to learn the answers to these questions.

Blocked sewers are not a pleasant problem to have. Not only is the smell terrible, but it can also pose a number of health issues.

If your sewers become blocked or clogged then you will need to call in a professional company to unblock them, either with jets or using a hydro vacuum system.

Hydro vacuums are used to suck up large amounts of waste, which can be sludge or slime from building sites, overflowing cesspits or drains, or blocked sewers.

The Importance of Good Waste Handling

It is important that any waste which is collected from a sewer is transported and handled appropriately. Sewage is, by its very definition, unsanitary. It must be transported and disposed of by a company that is qualified to do so.

If sewage leaks out onto a road or pavement it could present a health hazard, and the problem could be even more severe if it were allowed to contaminate the local water supply.

The Australian Department of Health lays out several ways of treating sewage that is considered to be acceptable and safe.

Waste that is taken from a septic tank can be transported in sealed containers and then disposed of in a landfill, as long as it is downwind.

It must also be away from water supplies, and away from any other communal areas such as children’s play areas. Liquid sewage, however, may need more careful handling.

Dewatering Solutions for Sewage

There are many companies that offer dewatering solutions for sewage. This can be useful if you have a lot of waste to remove and you want to reduce the volume since treatment and disposal sites often charge by volume.

Sludge dewatering is performed using a belt press to squeeze the water out, so the water can be treated separately, while the waste can be buried or disposed of elsewhere.

Sealed tankers that have a high capacity and powerful pumps will transport sludge and sewage safely, and throughout the process, there is no leakage or issues.

If possible, it’s best to avoid companies that use older tanks and opt for those with more modern vehicles that are equipped with the latest tanks with powerful pumps and large hoses.

This means that when the waste is taken to the disposal site or treatment plant where it can be emptied quickly, easily and accurately. Some tanks must drive right up to the disposal site and then be angled to ‘pour out’ the waste.

Some trucks allow the operator to park further away if required and pump the waste out via a hose, which reduces the risk of mess or spillage.

Safe, Ethical Disposal

The safe and ethical disposal of waste from blocked sewers is not something that should be overlooked or scrimped on. Sewage can harbour many bacteria which can present a serious health risk to both humans and animals.

While it can be tempting to dispose of sewage the same way you might throw away other rubbish, it is vital that the wastewater and solids are treated to ensure that they are not able to contaminate public ground or water supplies.

If your skin does come into contact with sewage, however, it is important that you clean yourself thoroughly to reduce the risk of bacterial or viral infection.

Whether you are in need of having a septic tank emptied, or you want a blocked sewer de-clogged, it is important that you call in a professional service.

They will be able to properly handle the volume of waste you need, de-water the waste, and then dispose of it at an appropriate site.

If you have a project that requires hydro vacuum excavation, please call us today on 0419 577 441 or contact us through our website https://www.pressureworks.com.au/contact/.