WASHBOX: The Green Building Solution
Washbox is Life Cycle Assessed (LCA) by Edge Environment, verified by Bureau Veritas and certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA). Green Building points are available to projects that use Washbox, through Green Star, LEED and BREEAM.
Environmental Benefits of Washbox
SAVE WATER
Washbox operates autonomously without requiring a water supply connection. It efficiently utilizes a fixed batch of water in its holding tank to cater to the washing needs of various fit-out trades.
ELIMINATE LIQUID WASTE
Washbox operates independently of plumbing connections, ensuring no liquid discharge. All washwater within Washbox is automatically cleaned and recycled through the closed loop system.
REDUCE SOLID WASTE TO LANDFILL
Washbox is available for hire and boasts a long lifespan across multiple projects, unlike single-use plumbing fittings and drums often associated with temporary washout installations, which end up as solid waste post-project.
Saving Water
Constructions sites usually have their trades wash tools in drinking water. A typical commercial office building fit-out will consume 1 gallon of water for every 20 sq ft of floor area, or 2 litres per m2. Residential, hotels, hospitals will consume more than 4 times that amount of water for tool washing. This water is contaminated with construction chemicals such as paint, plaster, resins and grout then discharged to the environment. What a waste!
Eliminate Liquid Waste
Does sewage treatment prevent liquid waste pollution from entering the environment?
Sewage treatment plants begin their process by conducting primary treatment, which involves the separation of liquids from larger solid materials. Often, this step is the sole treatment performed before the resulting liquids, containing smaller suspended and dissolved solids, are discharged into the nearest waterway. The captured solids, known as biosolids, are then repurposed as fertilizer or, if deemed too contaminated, they may be directed to landfill. It's crucial to note that no waste truly vanishes during this treatment process. Notably, sewage treatment plants primarily perform the task of segregating liquids from solids before reintroducing them to the environment.
Combined sewers and construction site discharges
Many global cities operate Combined Sewers that carry domestic and industrial waste as well as stormwater from street drains and roof gutters.
During peak capacity and rain events these combined sewers are designed to bypass treatment facilities and deliver raw untreated waste water directly to creek, rivers and oceans. these events are called Combines Sewer Overflows of CSO's.
Construction site liquid waste should never be discharged to the sewer because this practice is delivery large volumes of paint, plaster grout, cement and other construction site chemicals to the environment.
Using Washbox negates the need for sewer drums
These drums discharge uncontrolled pollution to the environment via the sewer.
Problems associated with this type of washout
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Blocked building plumbing
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Pollution goes straight to the environment via the sewer
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Costly to install and difficult to maintain and empty
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Leaking drums and plumbing cause mould and water ingress problems around the site
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Safety issues removing them at the end of the project
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They are inneffective as a wash station for trades which causes lost time
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Washbox aligns with various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Its innovative approach addresses water scarcity, environmental impact, and infrastructure efficiency.