It takes perseverance, drive, and creative ingenuity to find the right solutions for waste and recycling problems. Being able to put them into action also takes the right capital equipment.
Isuzu Australia’s Future of Trucking Report: The Way Forward confirms that a key concern for Australian fleet managers and owner-operators is purchasing capital equipment that is well-suited to the industry application and provides ease of use and accessibility for employees.
The report also indicates that alongside a strong level of adoption of data-driven safety technology and software, Australian businesses continue to show interest in systems that help support fleet business operations and bolster safety outcomes for drivers.
Commercial vehicle safety is a top priority for waste and recycling operators, with the increased likelihood that materials being transported are hazardous or require extra care in handling.
For fleet managers focused on building a transport fleet that can comfortably meet better safety outcomes and sustain high performance under a heavy workload, Isuzu F Series models have proven capability for a range of waste and recycling tasks.
Supported with the best in hardware and componentry, Isuzu’s F Series range reliably delivers with a combination of sharp model appointments, industry-ready features, and Isuzu’s intelligent Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Isuzu’s ADAS includes a network of active safety features linked through a Hitachi Stereo 3D Camera on the dashboard such as Advanced Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure warning, and more.
Depending on the truck model, other key safety features such as Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Lock Braking System and an Anti-Skid Regulator assist drivers to maintain optimal control of the vehicle.
The three Rs
Recycling, reusing, and resource recovery is an important ethos in sustainable waste management.
With these three ‘Rs’ top of mind, businesses such as Jumbo Skip Bins (based in Brisbane) have stepped up with solutions to tackle the burden of processing Queensland’s unwanted waste.
A particular challenge in Australia is the collection and processing of waste material generated by a booming construction industry.
According to the latest National Waste Report, building and demolition waste is one of the largest sources of recovered materials in the country. However, it’s also the largest source of waste.
This is where Jumbo Skip Bins’ Director Rory Crundall sensed an opportunity back in 2016.
Offering residential and domestic skip bin hire but specialising in construction and demolition disposal in the commercial sector, Jumbo Skip Bins covers a service area of Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.
Commercial skip bin hire makes up to 90 per cent of turnover; it also provides add-on services such as crane bins, forklift bins and the standard wheely bins for high-rise construction.
“Historically, we’ve found that most construction companies haven’t been interested in how much of their waste is being recycled, but that is changing,” Rory says.
“Even though it has taken more time and work to make it happen, I have always had an interest in environmental outcomes and have been willing to make the effort to deal with waste, separate it and recycle it into different streams.”
Rory has made it the team’s mission to improve the way waste disposal is conducted in the local area.
“The Queensland waste levy has incentivised companies to divert as much as possible from landfill, especially common materials such as bricks, concrete and soil, so we are moving more and more into this space.”
Fleet in action
Jumbo Skip Bins operates a fleet of Isuzu trucks ranging from a medium-duty FSR 140-260 chain lift skip loader with Allison automatic transmission, through to heavier chain lift and hook lift trucks. Recent additions of several new Isuzu F Series trucks outfitted with West-Trans body equipment are rounding out the service offering.
The hook lifts in the fleet will clock close to 6000 kilometres on the road per month and the skip trucks about 4000 kilometres.
In addition to working a full roster with Jumbo, trucks are often commandeered for double duty, collecting concrete waste for its sister company Moreton Bay Recycling, located near Jumbo’s home base in Narangba.
For Rory, providing a cleaner, greener service has come with challenges in cost and logistics, so fleet procurement needed to be approached in a strategic way.
Fleet choice has a knock-on effect to the business bottom line. Rory notes that he wanted business backed by a truck brand that could provide a product range that was capable of tackling a punishing roster – while staying out of the workshop.
The long-term goal is to present a united front to clients and ensure consistency in performance for the business with an all-Isuzu fleet in future.
“I had intentions to grow into a large fleet and did a lot of research, asking mechanics and other trucking companies which brand they preferred and the answer I got was Isuzu about 90 per cent of the time,” Rory says.
“I thought it’d be silly if I went any other way; you want to get off on the right foot from the beginning. As a business owner, I wanted that peace of mind and comfort, so Isuzu’s warranty and roadside assistance terms are a massive incentive.
“Brisbane Isuzu in Eagle Farm knew what we were after in the industry and what models were suitable. The type of suspension and engine variations from truck to truck, and they arrange for the bodies to be fitted by West-Trans for us.”
Combining resources
With Jumbo Skip Bins and Moreton Bay Recycling sharing resources, Rory has essentially combined two well-matched businesses with a fleet that can support both operations.
Once waste has been collected from a site, either a Jumbo truck or one of the Moreton Bay Recycling trucks will deliver it back to the facility, where it is processed into a quality product for use in future construction projects.
Rory says the versatility of the combined fleet is leading to efficient service that can save the client money, while also saving him time and delivery costs.
“Our customers at Jumbo often need products that are produced from recycled concrete, so we’re able to fill it up at Moreton Bay facility, then drop it off with their Jumbo skip bin, which saves them the cost of an extra delivery,” he says.
“Our drivers can be trained on skip and tipper trucks as well, which gives us great crossover and means we’re frequently able to utilise our skip trucks to deliver material.
“The new trucks are a pleasure to drive, and the features Isuzu are including add up to make a big difference for our drivers.”
For more information, visit: www.isuzu.com.au
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