Using one of the world’s largest impact crushers, Hadean Aggregate Solutions partnered with the City of Fernie to recycle 3,000 tonnes of old concrete located in the Public Works yard.
Impact crushers take old concrete and asphalt from demolished buildings, roads, sidewalks, and other structures to create a variety of usable material including three inch minus road base, one inch minus road base, drain rock, and winter sand. The machines prioritize environmental sustainability, while also working to save municipalities money from having to purchase new material. Without impact crushers, trashed concrete is disposed of in landfills, leeching unwanted materials into the ground.
“Hadean Aggregate Solution’s ability to use their equipment to crush the significant pile of concrete embedded with steel that has accumulated at Operations Facility yards was a great solution for the city,” said Liz Rhodes, communications coordinator for the City of Fernie. “It has allowed us to not only realize significant cost savings, but also save material from the landfill and repurpose new materials for future projects.”
The impact crusher remained in Fernie for three days, turning 2,000 tonnes of concrete and 1,000 tonnes of broken asphalt into reusable product for use on city streets. Having used the impact crusher, the City of Fernie saved half the price of what they would otherwise pay an aggregate company for new material.
“These machines are needed because they allow us to produce product that is saving the city money, while also doing a great thing environmentally,” said Ron Tazelaar, recycling division project manager.
Though many larger cities have impact crushers, Hadean, located out of Nelson and servicing the Kootenays, strives to cover the needs of smaller municipalities. On board with the Regional District of East Kootenay, Hadean has recently turned 8,000 tonnes of broken concrete into usable product within the entire region.
reporter@thefreepress.ca
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