New system for recycling utility trench arisings

Tarmac and Morgan Sindall combine to deliver pioneering utility trench recycling technology

TARMAC have worked with construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall to develop a pioneering new system that recycles utility trench arisings, eliminating waste sent to landfill and cutting reinstatement costs by up to 30%.

Developed by Tarmac, TrenchFSMR technology creates a ‘flowable structural material for reinstatement’ (FSMR) by using 100% of the material that comes from utility trench excavations.

Produced in accordance with the WRAP Quality Protocol, the system avoids utility arisings being sent to landfill, and cuts carbon by re-using materials and reducing the need to manufacture and transport reinstatement materials from off site.

With only two operatives required to produce it, the system streamlines the reinstatement process and significantly cuts labour costs compared with traditional utility trench reinstatement.

A three-month trial has successfully demonstrated that the system can also eradicate compaction issues that often lead to reinstatement failure.

Using self-compacting technology, the system avoids the need to use a wacker plate and improves occupational health by eliminating the risk of Hand-Arm-Vibration Syndrome (HAVs). And by recycling and re-using materials, the reinstatement technology can also be used to support CEEQUAL project accreditation.

The innovative technology was developed by Tarmac account manager Hannah Bettison. She said: ‘We successfully trialled TrenchFSMR on utility works in Worcestershire undertaken by the West Midlands Gas Alliance, a partnership between Morgan Sindall and National Grid.

‘The system helped to support National Grid’s commitment to reducing volumes of utility trench arisings sent to landfill.’

Geoff Fawkes, Tarmac’s national business development manager, added: ‘TrenchFSMR is the next step in providing contractors and utility clients with a quick, cost-effective recycling system that can immediately reprocess trench arisings to provide a material that can be used on the same site.

‘Not only does this technology reduce site labour and improve cost-efficiency, it also makes the reinstatement process much quicker, helping to minimize any disruption to the public.’

Les Turner, head of supply chain utility services with Morgan Sindall, said: ‘We started working with Tarmac to develop this project more than 12 months ago. To have it now in production is a bonus and demonstrates how we can work with our supply chain to find innovative solutions.

‘Not only do we have a product that is 100% recycled, the trials at Worcester have shown that its use will be fundamental in reducing defects in both highways and footpaths, thus eliminating the cost of re-work and disruption to the public.

‘We are now using it in Nottingham and planning further use around the Midlands. Initial reaction from West Midlands HAUC and local councils, where it is being used, has been highly supportive and enthusiastic.’