Knox is proudly one of the first Councils to use a new type of concrete made of 90% waste materials to complete local footpaths and kerb renewal works.
This innovative product is sourced and prepared locally and contains materials from our stormwater drains, including remnants from construction projects such as excavated rock, soil, and mud. The materials are collected and delivered to a supplier where they are washed with recycled water and organic matter is removed. The mixture is then sorted and combined with approx. 10% of cement to bind it together.
The application of this material follows conventional methods, either pre-cast into molds or poured directly at the site. The material's appearance, consistency, and surface finish are comparable to traditional concrete, ensuring seamless integration with the surrounding infrastructure. The time it takes to set, and the durability is also the same, typically lasting 50 to 100 years.
This eco-friendly concrete was first used by our Civil Construction team to repair footpath bays in Edna Court, Wantirna in December 2023. Following this successful trial, it has since been used to update sections of the shared path on Napoleon Road in Lysterfield and renew some kerb in the Wantirna Mall carpark. Future works include seat pads and drainage pits. Additional footpaths, shared paths, and kerb renewal works are also planned.
Repurposing materials in this way benefits our community, such as helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as outlined in our Climate Response Plan 2021 - 2031 and improving our recycling efforts by decreasing the volume of waste sent to landfill.
Works delivered using this environmentally friendly concrete are part of Council's annual Capital Works Program.
