If you work in construction, then you likely spend a great deal of time working with concrete and related products. This usually results in slurry which needs to be disposed of at the end of the day. Here, we discuss the environmental impact of slurry and how SLURRYTUB can help make cleanup a breeze.
For many wet trade contractors, the best end-of-day slurry cleanup takes the least amount of time. After a big day on the tools, careful disposal of washout materials isn’t always the top priority, which is why we often see wheelbarrows of slurry dumped in gutters and garden beds. However, improper slurry disposal isn’t just harmful to the environment, it can also be damaging to the builder’s hip pocket.
So what are the environmental impacts of poor cement slurry disposal, what are the penalties, and how can you avoid them on your job site?
Is Cement Slurry a Hazardous Waste?
Depending on the nature of your job site and the tools involved in washout, slurry can be considered a hazardous waste. If you’re cleaning pump truck hoppers and ready-mix trucks, the resulting slurry mixture can be caustic, corrosive and contain toxic metals.
Physical contact with some slurries can cause burns and ulcers, which is why it’s important that wet trade contractors treat cement slurry carefully for their own protection and the protection of the environment.
Does Cement Slurry Damage Vegetation?
Concrete slurry often finds its way to surrounding vegetation on the job site, caused by hosing down tools or wheelbarrows being emptied in garden beds or onto lawns after washout. However, cement slurry can be highly damaging to local flora and fauna.
When exposed to the slurry, soil can have its chemical composition changed and plant growth hindered. Further, the slurry can leech into groundwater and the problem can spread. Cement slurry can also block stormwater drains and contribute to flooding in periods of heavy rain - impacting surrounding plant life.
Does Slurry Harm Animal Life?
Cement slurry mixtures can poison groundwater and cause high levels of PH in waterways, harming marine life and also impacting drinking water.
Stories of marine disasters caused by poor slurry disposal are common around the world. In one recent spill in the US, dramatic photos emerged of hundreds of dead trout floating downstream and local dogs becoming sick after the creek’s pH levels spiked after a slurry spill from a nearby construction site.
Fines for Improper Slurry Disposal
In most areas, regional, provincial or state regulations govern the safe disposal of construction waste, including slurry. This means that fines are set for improper disposal, including hosing away and dumping slurry into storm drains. These regulations and fines vary between state/province and the various regions within each state/province.
Environmentally Friendly Concrete Slurry Disposal
Careless cement slurry disposal is damaging to local vegetation, marine life, your site’s reputation and your bottom line. Thankfully, there’s a simple and cost-effective alternative that your site can start to use today.
What is SLURRYTUB and How Does it Work?
SLURRYTUB is a portable and easy-to-use solution for disposing of wet building waste in a safe and environmentally friendly way. We created it after decades of witnessing substandard slurry management on job sites, but also understanding the need for tools that were fast and effective.
SLURRYTUB’s heavy-duty recycled plastic tub provides sturdy access for wheelbarrows, with a biodegradable filter liner to turn previously harmful slurry into usable recycled water. Once the slurry has drained and the mixture dried, simply dispose of the filter paper. Easy.