A simple cover over the end of ready-mix lorry chutes is saving the construction industry millions.
The ConcreteSock is now being used by major contractors including Kier, Balfour Beatty, Lend Lease and Laing O’Rourke.
Suppliers of the sock believe it could save the industry more than £25m/annum by ending “washing-out” on site.
Chutes and drums on concrete lorries have traditionally been washed-out on site following deliveries – a time-consuming process resulting in contaminated water requiring disposal.
The ConcreteSock is placed over the end of the chute allowing the lorry to return to its batching plant where it can be washed out efficiently with less waste of residual material.
The sock also prevents any spillages on the roads in between deliveries.
Interserve has used the ConcreteSock across its South West Water framework and saved £9,000 on one site alone by avoiding the need to dispose of 18,720 litres of concrete wash water.
Ready-mix suppliers are starting to install ConcreteSocks as standard on their delivery vehicles.
Inventors of the ConcreteSock claim £25m of concrete is discarded in on-site wash-out pits each year in the UK.
By Grant Prior
Read here for the full article: http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2014/08/06/concrete-sock-could-save-contractors-millions/
