Recycled First for major transport infrastructure
In March 2020 the Victorian State Government announced its Recycled First policy to boost the use of recycled and reused materials in construction projects. Consultants and contractors designing and constructing major transport infrastructure projects in Victoria should be increasing their use of recycled materials to comply with the Recycled First policy. OmniGrip Direct’s recycled-glass and recycled-rubber surfaces will help contractors meet the requirements of the new policy.
The Recycled First policy is for materials that meet standards to have precedence over brand new materials. It applies to recycled aggregates, glass, crumbed rubber and related products.
20-year history with recycled-glass
OmniGrip Direct, a division of SmarterLite, has used durable coloured recycled-glass for over 20 years in its specialist surfaces. In late 2019, OmniGrip Direct also introduced OmniGrip Rubber Coat, which includes coloured recycled tyres, for pedestrian and bicycle areas. Both products comply with the requirements of Victoria’s Recycled First policy.
OmniGrip’s Recycled First products
Much attention has been focussed on the use of recycled asphalt, and the inclusion of crushed glass, recycled rubber and recycled plastics in road surfaces.
“OmniGrip Direct has more than 20 years experience in the research, development and application of coloured recycled-glass surfaces for Australian roads, paths and bridge surfaces” said Darren Scerri, Chief Executive of OmniGrip Direct.
“Using recycled-glass, we provide durable coloured slip and skid resistant surfaces that typically last eight to ten years or more, depending on traffic. More recently, OmniGrip CST has been recommended as a replacement for pavement markings to improve safety for motorcycle riders” Scerri said.
“The Recycled First policy means that all tiers of contractors that include OmniGrip CST, OmniGrip Deco or OmniGrip Rubber Coat in their tenders should be acknowledged for contributing to the policy when their tenders are assessed.”
Specifying OmniGrip products in designs
Designers and specifiers can assist the Victorian Government with implementing the policy by specifying OmniGrip CST in their designs and specifications, reducing the likelihood that green paint-based products or other non-recycled-glass products will be substituted when the project is constructed.
Discerning designers that care about rider safety and using recycled materials annotate the plan with a note such as “Install OmniGrip (CST) green surface treatment” where it is to be applied.
“Relying on standard specification clauses such as the green surface having to comply with VicRoads standard specification 431 isn’t enough”, said Dave Jones, Director of External Affairs for the SmarterLite group. “The specification doesn’t required recycled materials so additional notes are essential.
VicRoads standard specification 431 requires documented evidence of at least five years for the coloured surface treatment in a heavy urban traffic environment be provided with the tender. OmniGrip CST can easily provide that for its coloured recycled-glass surfaces for on-road bicycle lanes and bus lanes across many Australian States. That significantly reduces the risks for contractors because they’re using an accepted and proven product, rather than an experimental design or trial product that doesn’t have a demonstrated service life like OmniGrip Direct’s surfaces.”
Request quotations for an EOI or tender
Contractors of all tiers preparing expressions of interest or tenders for suburban road projects and road and path upgrades should contact OmniGrip Direct on 1300 961 678 or via the email contact form.
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