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Description

Construction is one of the largest global industries, driving urban transformation and environmental challenges; and water is at its heart.

Every day, construction sites around the world consume millions of gallons of fresh water and generate toxic runoff, silently contributing to water scarcity and pollution. From paintbrushes to power tools, the process of cleaning construction equipment has long been an environmental blind spot, with contaminated water often finding its way into our sewers and waterways. This hidden menace not only wastes precious water resources but also poses significant risks to ecosystems and public health. As urban areas densify and the need for sustainable building practices grows, the construction industry faces mounting pressure to address its water footprint.

In this episode of Liquid Assets, host Ravi Kurani delves into an innovative solution that's reshaping the construction landscape. Andrew Crimston, founder of Washbox Global, joins us to unveil a revolutionary closed-loop system that's transforming how the industry manages its liquid waste. What started as a simple idea to wash paintbrushes more efficiently has evolved into a game-changing technology now deployed on hundreds of projects worldwide.

From the bustling construction sites of New York to the urban renewal projects of London, Washbox is helping dense metropolitan areas reduce their environmental impact while simultaneously boosting construction productivity. Crimston shares the journey of developing a filtration system capable of handling unknown contaminants, a challenge that many experts deemed impossible. Learn how this Australian innovation is saving both water and money for some of the biggest names in building, and discover the ripple effects of improved water management on project timelines, worker efficiency, and urban sustainability.

What you'll hear in this episode:

  1. The shocking scale of water waste and toxic runoff generated by traditional construction practices
  2. An in-depth look at Washbox's closed-loop system and how it cleans and recycles water indefinitely
  3. The technical challenges of developing a universal filtration system for diverse construction contaminants
  4. Insights into how urban densification and building retrofits are driving growth in the construction industry
  5. Real-world examples of Washbox adapting to various construction environments, from skyscrapers to hotel renovations
  6. A forward-looking discussion on the future of sustainable construction and Washbox's role in industry transformation

Book recommendation by Andrew: Zero To One

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