siteManager, Author at Global Environmental Solutions Australasia

Disc golf, meet DirtGlue

Posted on 06/04/201806/04/2018 by siteManager

One of Australia’s oldest and most revered disc golf courses, Poimena Reserve in Hobart, has installed a number of DirtGlue & gravel tee pads, and players are raving about them. Since the disc golf course was redesigned in 2007, the course has operated with compacted red gravel tee pads. Although red gravel is a much better option than natural tee pads, the gravel can be slippery and, crucially, requires regular maintenance due to erosion from foot traffic and weather.

For years, concrete has been the only practical alternative to upgrading the tee pads, but the cost, difficulties with site access and a preference to steer away from concrete in the reserve has always been a barrier to upgrading with this material.

DirtGlue presented the opportunity to install sealed gravel tee pads with comparable durability to concrete, but with a much friendlier environmental footprint, and at lower cost. Greentrack collaborated with the Glenorchy Council and local volunteers to install nine new DirtGlue tee pads.

Players are delighted with the new tee pads. The sealed gravel surface is super stable and offers great grip in all weathers, which means players can rip discs without fear of slipping and risking injury.

Significantly, the tee pads are now zero maintenance and will last for years, which is a huge step towards maintaining the sustainability of the course. The long term plan is to upgrade the remaining red gravel tee pads with DirtGlue so this famous course can continue to stage national tournaments and inspire the next generation of Tasmanian disc golfers.

Thoughts on Safer Mining Environments

Posted on 06/04/2018 by siteManager

Mining is one of the oldest industries in the world. And, it will remain one of the backbones of our economy and that of many other nations long beyond our lifetimes. That said, one of the recurring trends in the U.S. media is the often adverse working conditions for employees as well as the ever-present concern about damaging the environment.

Here’s the good news:

Good environmental practices and mine safety are easily attainable and is far more affordable than you might think. And, while you may have needed several different contractors to meet regulations before, Global Environmental Solutions (GES) is your one-stop-shop to meet and exceed environmental and site-safety specifications.

Areas you can utilize our products:

Above ground and under ground haul roads
Capping above ground tailings/stockpiles
Tailing dams
Pond lining
Stabilizing backfills
Re-vegetation
Crushers
Conveyors
And many more!

The activity of mining means the creation and existence of dust. It affects everything from the surrounding ecosystem, to the lungs of miners, to the health of equipment, and surrounding communities due to environmental shifts (wind), etc. That said, all mining sites are unique, so you need a partner that can provide a solution that takes care of all-of-the-above customized to your site’s needs.

GES dust suppression products we’ll use to shape your solution:

DustLess®

Dust control for any dirt driving surface (continuous traffic, high traffic, heavy traffic)
Underground mining operations
Non-aqueous tailing pond dust control (for below freezing temps)

DirtGlue®

Erosion control
Stockpile capping
Sediment control
Stockpile sealing
SWPP management plans
Embankment stabilization
Contaminated soil containment
Eliminate TSS in storm water run-off
Dust control on non-driving surfaces
Replace conventional tackifier in Hydro-seeding applications
Tailings ponds

CompoMulch™

Re-vegetation for permanent erosion control and dust control

Our products can be used to develop dust management, sediment control and stabilization for your unique requirements. Our DustLess product is absorbed by the dust particles, which stabilizes them and keeps them from entering the air and getting swept about. DirtGlue, which is an acrylic polymer, is applied to non-traffic areas such as soft shoulders and adjacent stockpiles and embankments. The polymer forms a tough protective crust that stops the dust created by the vacuum effect of passing vehicles. When applied to stockpile and embankments, DirtGlue also protects against sediment runoff as well as wind and water erosion issues. If revegetation is needed DirtGlue polymer can be used as a tackifier in conjunction with CompoMulch to vegetate nearly any surface of nearly any soil type.

Coal Bunker Sealing

DirtGlue polymer stockpile capping and sealing is the antidote to the oxidation and moisture that leads to spontaneous combustion in coalbunkers. Keeping coalbunkers sealed mandates an effective, reliable air-blocking system. Sealing coalbunkers is, of course, more necessity than choice. Air circulating through the coalbunkers is a precursor to spontaneous combustion, a serious danger to a power plant, its employees, and the value of the stored coal itself. The spraying of DirtGlue polymer on stockpiles or bunkers causes the formation of a thin crust much like a spray-on tarp to act as a seal against water and air. This protective seal helps prevent fire, dust, erosion and loss of BTU’s.

Benefits:

Eliminate air and water penetration
Control dust through encapsulation
Minimize oxidation to prevent spontaneous combustion
Prevent costly coal bunker fires
Slow coal deterioration and water absorption that can reduce BTU value
Get the desired results without the higher cost of nitrogen injections

Further, when it comes to the transport of mined coal we can help with transportation efforts of the resource, as statistics show that a typical 3-5% loss of coal is experienced during transport from the mine. This can be avoided by “capping” the train or truck hopper hauling the load with one of our environmentally friendly spray-on solutions.

Are you in the mining industry and looking for ways to maximize safety, minimize environmental impact, all while simultaneously increasing profits on an extracted haul? Contact us today and let’s work together to come up with the customized solution to best fit your unique situation.

Ruling the Green on Your Golf Course

Posted on 03/04/201803/04/2018 by siteManager

Spring is right around the corner. For some, that means little, but in the northern third of the world, Spring is everything. Longer days, warmer weather, and new beginnings. For many it also means a return to the golf course and navigating the terrain to retrieve our often-misguided ball. We’ll blame 9-iron.

Speaking of golf and “new beginnings,” here’s an open-ended question (or two) to ponder:

How does your course stack up to the competition? How does it go to work for you (in helping to maintain a healthy bottom line)?

It all starts with the terrain – because let’s face it, what else is there? (Besides the clubhouse…)

A large percentage of a golf course/club’s revenue is invested right back into the maintenance/upkeep of the course itself, as it should be. It can seem like a never-ending cycle, because, for all intents and purposes, it is. But there’s a solution. And, you guessed it, it involves Global Environmental Solutions. Allow us to enable you a harder working, and greater return generating operation.

With our products:

We can help bolster the quality of your playing surfaces, and minimize the damages associated with continuous traffic (foot, cart, or otherwise…)

Our DirtGlue solution, for instance, can turn your loose soil or aggregate into a solid pathway for impending traffic and play. We’ve all seen the areas at courses that are roped off or areas that come across as a bit suspect in their trampled, weathered appearance. Utilizing our suite of products designed specifically for your course will give you a greater foothold for your patrons and set the stage for no washouts which are a huge issue at courses around the globe – due in part to the naturally existing ecosystem around the course, and the fact that a lot of water is used to keep that terrain thriving and looking good.

Let’s get to the point:

Initiating with Global Environmental Solutions can save you at least 50% on installation costs and a staggering 80% on maintenance costs annually.

The benefits of utilizing Global Environmental Solutions product line to bolster your golf facility:

Cost savings
Increased bottom line
Environmentally friendly
Added safety for patrons
Added safety for grounds crew
Improve overall aesthetics of the course

Spending too much time in a revenue sucking sand trap you can’t escape? Give us a call today to learn more about the many ways we can help you and your club! We can’t guarantee a lower handicap, but we can promise lower expenses, which leads to more fun on the fairways and a lot more vibrant greens.

Controlling the Dust Around Your Equestrian Facilities

Posted on 26/03/201826/03/2018 by siteManager

In the northern half of North America, winter is in full swing. Thus, for horse owners/trainers, and us equestrians more time is spent indoors – in our barns, and at the indoor riding facilities. Winter also means that the air is significantly drier as humidity has hunkered down for the season. With all this in mind, we thought we’d spend some time talking about the proactive measures one should be taking to provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment for both the horses and humans taking up residence in our facilities. This is not merely conversation for us here in the north by any means. We just needed to let you know that we’re cold up here… But we’re not complaining! Life moves on…

So, what are you doing to assure your facilities are optimized for safety and healthy conditions?

The reality of spending more time in indoor arenas means a greater chance for dust to impede a healthy environment. Generally speaking, the activity taking place and the dirt that’s in place counteract with one another. It’s imperative to take control and make sure that the track/trotting/living surface remains intact and on the ground rather than in the air and in your (or your horses) lungs. Right? Right.

This is where Global Environmental Solutions comes in. We’ve studied the terrain of equestrian facilities long and hard and have come up with a product that keeps soil intact and surfaces optimized for impact, performance, and health. Said product is ArenaKleen®, which is the only horse arena dust control product that eliminates the health hazards of dust without the need for water or the drawbacks of water based dust control products. With ArenaKleen® dust suppressant, horses, riders and trainers can work safely and comfortably in the arena, stables, or anywhere dust is a problem. ArenaKleen® has been know to keep on working for years with a single application.

Other horse arena dust control products just coat the dust particles; ArenaKleen® works differently. ArenaKleen® is formulated to absorb into each individual soil particle, meaning that soil particles remain in direct contact with each other, ensuring firm footing, and excellent traction with no stickiness, and thus no tracking.

The other product we’re passionate about is DustLess® dust suppressant. For all intents and purposes, the name says it all…

DustLess® soaks into the individual soil/dust particles, making them too heavy to move, thus eliminating dust. It does not form a crust and never evaporates, thereby being unaffected by traffic. DustLess® lasts a very long time, often giving you 9-12 months or more of dust control with one application. Furthermore, when it’s time to reapply, it’s done at a much lower usage rate ensuring cost-effective, long lasting dust control.

And let’s not place the focus entirely on the indoor facility. Parking lots, and fields surrounding your facility (as well as outdoor tracks of course) could all greatly benefit from the proactive approach of eliminating dust from the surrounding environment.

Introducing GES products to any working piece of your facility has myriad benefits including:

Bolstered longevity of facility
Longer, healthier life of horses (and humans)
Adds value to facility
Increased performance across the board
Environmentally friendly

Let’s make sure your facility is primed and ready for healthier conditions and bolstered performance. Give us a call today to learn about the advantages of utilizing GES products in and around the barn.

GES Polymer Products Create Extreme Surface Betterment in the Extreme Arena

Posted on 20/03/201823/03/2018 by siteManager

Have you ever taken your kid to watch the Monster Trucks in an indoor arena (okay, some of us go sans kids… it’s okay…) How about a bull riding event? Or maybe you’ve witnessed dirt bikes and rally cars ripping around an arena? What about BMX bikes ripping turns and flying through the air off of jumps that stay intact?

Any takers?

It’s pretty mesmerizing stuff.

Here’s another question (as if there aren’t enough above):

Have you ever wondered how the dirt stays in place in those spaces?

Seriously. How does a massive vehicle like a monster truck – that’s bombing around and entering itself into an endless cycle of aggressive donuts – not create any dust? How are you not getting pelted with sand and stone in the comfort of your plastic seat?

Simple.

DirtGlue.

Or, for a higher-level answer, Global Environmental Solutions (that’s us!) and our suite of polymer, earth controlling products.

It’s possible you haven’t wondered about it, but we guarantee the next time you’re sitting there, you’ll be slack-jawed and wide-eyed in wonderment.

But yes, products like DirtGlue, ArenaKleen, DustLess, and others have enabled event organizers and facility management teams worldwide to produce these events while keeping the environment, venue, extreme athletes, vehicles, and you, the ticketed patron, safe.

One project DirtGlue Australasia was involved with recently was the development of a pump track, which was implemented at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp in Western Australia. They partnered with Three Chillies Trails Design to help facilitate the build out of the track, which will see extensive use out of mountain bikers and thrill seeking bikers as well. This was a very cool project that put to good use our polymer prowess to literally help keep the track in place, and free of dust in the air.

Said Three Chillies:

“With the grand opening of Three Chillies Trails designed and constructed pump track for the Department of Sport and Recreation at the Ern Halliday Camp School comes another exciting announcement for us:

We are proud to be able to offer a natural looking hard wearing alternative to hot mix tarmac surfacing.

We have achieved this by using Green Track Solutions DirtGlue polymer product and a high quality screened road base gravel to create the ride surface…

This product gives us the opportunity to create tracks and trails with the grip, longevity and fast rolling feel of hot mix tarmac, while maintaining our ethos of natural feeling and looking surfaces within the Parks and Green Spaces that we work in.”

There you have it. When it comes to extreme activities that are the cause for exceptional fun, you need an extreme product that’s both safe and strong enough to get the most out of the “playing surface.” That’s where we come in. And we win every time…

Environmental Solutions: For the Earth with the Earth in Mind.