Complete Waste Solutions, DAF in for the long haul

Modern, environmental and operationally efficient equipment is the backbone of a Queensland company that’s found a niche in waste management.

Walking the talk is imperative when you work in an industry where recovery and reuse is paramount. When Paul Haslam, Ian Bock and Keith Megaw started Complete Waste Solutions (CWS) in 2022 they made a conscience decision to align themselves with companies who share the same philosophy.

When it came to their fleet of trucks, the bulk waste transport specialists turned to DAF Trucks. CWS is now running three DAF CF450 and a CF530 in a fleet of 10 alongside several contracted vehicles used for interstate haulage.

Modern equipment is a big part of being able to do the job properly says Paul, CWS Managing Director.

“Quality of equipment is a consistent commentary for us,” he says. “First and foremost, the trucks needed to tick three boxes – environmental compliance, fuel efficiency and presentation. But there also needed to be a pedigree of innovation and improvement so that we could plan our future around that brand.”

CWS is built on decades of experience in the waste industry, from working with waste equipment manufacturers and contractors through to operation of heavy vehicles.

The Pinkenba-based company has leveraged the combined industry knowledge of its directors to provide niche waste management solutions. It specialises in providing bulk solid and liquid transport waste solutions, including hazardous waste, to treatment facilities in Southeast Queensland.

Paul says they are proud to work with large and small companies alike, augmenting their capability. The company is also about to become a distributor of mobile garbage bins made in South Australia by Mastec Equipment.

With plenty of kilometres to cover – as far north as Cairns (about 1800-kilometres) – it’s hardly surprising that fuel efficiency is important.

Paul says CWS directors have more than a collective of 50 years working for larger waste companies that included running significant fleets of trucks. DAF has always been strong in fuel efficiency.

The DAF CF range is suited to specialist applications such as tankers, waste, tipper, and pumpers. The driveline features an MX-11 or MX-13 PACCAR engine with enhanced electronics, an optimised TraXon automated gearbox or Allison automatic gearbox and PACCAR high-efficiency rear axle. Higher torque at lower revs results in increased fuel efficiency over a range of applications.

A Euro 6 emission compliant engine is also tantamount for CWS. Not only to meet its own environmental standards but those of clients.

“Being able to place the fleet into the lowest emissions category is important for us,” Paul says. “We need to walk the talk. It’s very easy to talk about objectives and visions, but then it’s a different story to put them into practice by adopting the appropriate gear and equipment.

“We also deal with some multi-national companies that have expectations of their own fleet and we want to make sure we are marrying up to those expectations.

“In the future, whether it be electric or hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, we’d certainly see that as the next step. But for now, this is the best step we can take toward environmental responsibility.”

The DAF CF range has been described as redefining versatility. Paul says the truck is an excellent allrounder – delivering good performance around the city and on rural roads. What’s elevated the CF is the cab. He says it’s not just a matter of creating an environment where drivers are comfortable, they need to be safe.

The DAF CF includes a suite of features that make driving easier and safer such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automated emergency braking system, forward collision warning and protective cab suspension.

“We’re mindful of the safety and wellbeing of drivers – ergonomic health as well as mental health,” Paul says. “A lot of companies don’t always think about how their drivers feel about their job. When they feel safe, valued and are driving modern, safe, and efficient equipment such as a DAF, they have a sense of pride about themselves and their job.

“You need equipment to be fit for purpose, but too many times procurement teams focus on how many vehicles they can get for a certain amount of money, rather than focus on the overall value package, which includes a driver’s physical and mental wellbeing.

“For us, it’s an overall value package, not just about the drive train.”

A big part of that value package is the commercial and operational support provided by DAF truck dealers, in the case of CWS, it was Brown and Hurley Caboolture.

Paul says Brown and Hurley are knowledgeable in DAF products and were pro-active in understanding CWS and its requirements.

“We were aware of DAF products, but they have evolved. Introducing us to the modern DAF was on Brown and Hurley. When we looked at the data and drove a CF, we knew this was the right fit.”

Advancement is not unusual in the waste industry. In the past decade Paul’s witnessed a shift in focus toward recovery and reuse, as opposed to recycling. He says while recycling is still valid, the narrative needs to change to prioritise recovery and reuse.

The lack of economic scale to invest in some of the equipment needed to produce recycled products remains a challenge in Australia, but those companies that are investing are making inroads.

Inroads CWS plans to be a part of.

“We’re an Australian-owned, small family business that has its roots in tremendous experience in some of the biggest companies in the world for waste management,” Paul says.

“We’re proud of that. It’s given us the experience and the skills to operate at a different level in the industry.”

The article was reproduced courtesy of Waste Management Review (March 2024).