Today is World Environment Day, which is celebrated annually on June 5 around the globe to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

Winslow is committed to reducing plastic pollution in the environment and is invested in using science and technology-based solutions to tackle this issue. 

Winslow is using sustainably based outcomes, such as EKOPipe to reduce pollution. 

In addition, Winslow will be removing plastic from the environment by avoiding plastics in the supply chain and picking plastic rubbish from the environment to ensure plastics don’t end up in waterways and our oceans.

Our projects will be showcasing what they have done to make a positive impact in reducing and removing plastics from the environment

We are driven to find sustainable outcomes through innovative solutions, such as the EKOPipe.

The EKOPipe innovation helps us achieve our environmental and sustainability goals, and the use of more sustainable production methods helps us reduce our environmental footprint.

Last week, Winslow Infrastructure received the very first order of this amazing solution for the Bradmill Remediation Project in Yarraville, the first project in Australia to use product.

The pipe reduces concrete CO2 emissions by more than 50 per cent, which exceeds the 2030 commonwealth emissions targets.

“Our commitment to sustainability factors into every decision we make on Winslow sites,” said Allan Campbell, Winslow Infrastructure’s Environment and Sustainability Manager.

“It’s this drive for sustainable outcomes that pushes innovative solutions, like RCPA’s EKOPipes - a carbon reduced steel-reinforced concrete pipe and is the first of its kind in Australia.

“It’s another reason that Winslow is leading the way in the civil construction sustainability by utilising new technologies and finding better ways to do our job.

“EKOPipe is a game changer for the use of concrete pipes for our projects.”

Winslow continues to invest in innovation to ensure a safe workplace for our staff, contractors, and clients.

After 18 months of R&D in partnership with machine safety control specialists Webbair and SITECH Construction Systems, Winslow recently unveiled its pioneering 3D Utility Avoidance technology, which will be a game-changer for the industry.

“Winslow has long been leaders in the machine control technology space,” said Hugh Peck, General Manager of Winslow’s Group Services.

“With over 170 smart machines across our fleet, we continue to lead the industry.

“Through Trafman and SMS, Winslow has been able to produce a system that is unparallel in the industry.”

The 3D avoidance technology allows machine operators to dig closely and safely to existing services in complex Brownfield environments, which have been mapped out by our surveying teams.

Onboard sensors and technology restrict and then immobilise the digger whenever the bucket comes close to mapped-out avoidance zones to minimise safety risks and to prevent expensive damage and project delays.

“We control the process from start to finish. We locate the assets, we model the assets, we put them in the machine,” Hugh said.

The system delivers robust engineering controls to keep machines out of any pre-defined high-risk areas and significantly reduces risk of extremely dangerous and costly sub-surface service strikes.

“What we’ve done on this system is we’ve essentially created a digital twin of the existing site conditions, so we’ve got a digital model,” said Survey Management Solutions’ survey specialist Adam Hammet.

“We’ve used that and all our other models to create a real-world digital version of what’s in the ground.”

Operators also receive real-time updates on underground services from surveyors working remotely, which allows work to continue without needing to wait for new data.

“It just gives me the confidence that whatever’s in the ground is on the computer there in front of me. I can literally look through my files, see what I need to know for the day plan out my works, and be reassured I’m not going to do damage or hurt anybody,” said machine operator Bernie Wholey.

Allowing for the operator or supervisor to add in any new hazards or high-risk areas on the fly without requiring them to be defined digitally is potentially one of the biggest benefits of the system, which was demanded from the market at the start of the due diligence phase.

Winslow Infrastructure superintendent Jason Radley said, “it’s an industry leading machine – nobody’s done it in the past”.

“All our known services that we’ve picked up earlier on in the project we can put that into the machine, and it gives us confidence that we can dig new services without actually hitting them, which will also give the asset owners confidence when we go to do our job.”

“They (asset owners) have confidence that we’re going to stay away from their services which is going to keep people in the industry safe and allow them to concentrate on their actual job instead of coming out to fix damaged services.

“It’s going to take us into the future.”

The new fully equipped machine will be rolled out on to its first project at the Lathams Road Upgrade this month.

Winslow Group Procurement Manager Trent Chamberlain is featured on this month’s cover of Inside Construction magazine for an article about the business’s use of biodiesel as a sustainable option.

Biodiesel is a co-mingled product derived from vegetable oils and animal fats and used as an alternative to conventional diesel.

Typically, biodiesel is blended with diesel in five per cent (B5), 10 per cent (B10) and 20 per cent (B20) ratios.

“Our 2022 carbon inventory brought to light the potential of biodiesel fuel as an easy solution, readily available to contribute to reducing our scope one emissions produced by diesel burn throughout our operations,” Trent said.

Winslow has partnered with Viva Energy, our supplier of fuels and lubricants for our plant and equipment, to reduce emissions without impacting company operations.

“It’s customers like Winslow Group, those actively striving to reduce emissions today, that are positioning themselves ahead of the curve as sustainability requirements intensify across the industry,” said Yap Chong Hua, Viva Energy’s Key Account Manager – Transport.