Advantages of Using Ecoblanket and Ecoberm Over Other Erosion Control Systems

 

 

 An Untreated Batter  Applying Ecoblanket  A Freshly Laid Ecoblanket
 After Three Weeks  After 12 Months  After 18 Months

 

The Environment

Groundworks uses an all natural tackifier (Microblend) to bind the compost into a matrix once it is laid and to encourage microbial activity within the organic blanket.

  • Ecoblanket replaces the eroded top layer of soil and helps "kick start" the natural soil producing mechanisms.
  • Ecoblanket and Ecoberm contains no synthetic substances like plastic or oil based tackifiers.
  • Ecoblanket and Ecoberm will not readily ignite.

 

The Community

  • Ecoblanket and Ecoberm provide an excellent opportunity for recycling.  The compost in Ecoblanket and Ecoberm is made in part from green waste from Brisbane City Council recycling stations.
  • Microblend is manufactured under license in Brisbane using 70% locally sourced organic material.

 

Delivery and Performance 

  • Ecoblanket and Ecoberm conform to any terrain and maintain 100% contact with the ground.
  • Ecoblanket and Ecoberm can be applied around existing trees and shrubs where necessary without compromising the integrity of the blanket and it can still maintain 100% contact with ground.
  • Soil additives required for amending the site can be combined with the compost prior to application and sprayed on at the same time as the Ecoblanket or Ecoberm.
  • A cover crop as well as native seed can be injected into the Ecoblanket and Ecoberm as it is being applied to the site.  These are selected on a site specific basis.
  • The blowers used to apply Ecoblanket and Ecoberm are powerful enough to deliver the compost/seed/Microblend mixture through a flexible hose for up to 150 metres.  This eliminates the need for trucks or other heavy machinery to be driven onto an already damaged or eroded site.                        
  • The hoses through which the Ecoblanket and Ecoberm is applied can be taken onto a cherry picker by a well trained technician to treat "hard to reach" areas.
  • Ecoblanket and Ecoberm do NOT need to be removed once the cover crop and natives have established themselves.
  • Groundworks guarantees an 80% coverage of the cover crop or we will repair any areas that did not meet our minimum standard (conditions apply).

 

All of the photos below were taken after a massive storm cell hit the greater Brisbane metropolitan area in early November 2008.  The Ecoblankets on the left are still in place and the plant life flourishing.  This is not the case for the other two methods of batter rehabilitation shown on the right.

 

 

 Gateway Duplication Project - Batter treated with Ecoblanket

Gateway Duplication Project - Batter treated with hydromulch

Acacia Ridge Batter - Site treated with Ecoblanket

Juliette Street Batter - Site treated with  mulch and jute matting 

 

Click here to read an article published in the "Public Roads" Magazine produced by the US Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration.  The article compares compost blankets with hydromulching/seeding.  Compost blankets have been used in the US for many years. 

 

 

Learn more about......

 

   ECOBLANKET    ECOBERM

 

 

Note that all of the above information is available as part of a larger PDF document "Specifications for the Application and Aftercare of Groundworks Ecoblanket and Ecoberm".

 

Groundworks can also use its bark blowers to provide landscaping solutions....for more information click here.

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