Envirocrush deals crushing blow with Isuzu

With building and demolition waste only set to grow, one Sydney-based waste management firm has come up with an innovative solution to help clients stay on top of this pressing problem.

Envirocrush only opened for business last November, but the start-up is making plenty of noise with its mobile crushing service, which sees a crushing and compactor arm from French company Packmat System fitted to an Isuzu FRR 110-260 Auto.

The first of its type in the country, the truck visits clients’ worksites and compacts waste in open-top skip bins on-site, taking just minutes to reduce a full bin to a fraction of its total capacity.

“Envirocrush is all about providing a smart, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to handle waste,” says the company’s General Manager, Elias Elias.

“By compacting waste on-site, our clients can reduce their waste collections, which leads to substantial cost savings on disposal fees.

“This flows through to environmental impacts – reducing the volume of waste means fewer trips to transfer stations, cutting down on vehicle emissions and promoting more sustainable waste management practices.

“It also keeps their work sites tidy and clean, making waste less likely to overflow or build up.

Looking right at home in a dystopian film, the truck’s spiked roller will crush just about anything beneath it, compacting anything from light construction waste, wooden pallets, and scrap metal through to general waste in a full skip bin in five to 10 minutes.

Envirocrush says the unit can achieve a 5:1 reduction in waste collections, equating with the potential for an 80 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and a 65 per cent reduction in associated CO2 emissions.

Spotting a gap in the waste market, Envirocrush travelled to France to meet with the Packmat System team in 2023, before securing a contract to bring the technology to our shores.

Now Envirocrush says it wants to see other waste companies follow its lead.

“Even though we are just starting out, we would like to see other players in the waste industry adapt and offer similar compaction technology and services for skip bins – competition will be good for opening up the market,” he says.

“Looking ahead to the next couple of years, we would like to expand our customer base and assist our current customers in enhancing their waste management practices.”

Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood Sales Manager Greg Jones provided advice on the Isuzu truck model best suited to supporting the Packmat System, with Isuzu FRR 110-260 Auto coming out on top.

Powered by a 6HK1-TCC turbocharged engine producing 191kW (260hp) at 2400rpm and 761Nm at 1450-2400rpm, the FRR has a GVM of 11,000kg, giving the payload required for transporting the hydraulic arm and crusher while providing the necessary counterbalance for when it’s in action.

The long-wheelbase format was also suited to the task, as is the truck’s impressively tight 16.4m turning circle, helping it maneuver into tight locations.

An Allison LCT2500 fully automatic transmission simplifies the driving experience, while the compaction process is controlled via a specialised system with in-cabin joystick controls.

Meanwhile, the backup and service offered by Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood has also played a key role in the new venture.

“From the initial purchase in 2023, Gilbert & Roach has been reliable and responsive to our needs,” Elias says.

“The support from the whole team at the dealership is vital to our business operations.”