An Award-Winning Innovation – “The Silt Sump
new, patent protected, award winning, practical, and sustainable innovation which promises to be a game-changer in reducing water pollution on forestry and construction sites and can be installed by one person in less than 10 minutes.
SSI ENVIRONMENTAL LTD – SOLUTIONS DRIVEN – SOLUTIONS FOCUSED
Drew Gall, as a quarry manager with Forestry and Land Scotland, was frustrated with the ineffective and environmentally harmful methods used to manage silt runoff (like improperly installed silt netting or straw bales in ditches).
His goal was to create an environmentally sustainable, recyclable, and cost-effective solution to replace existing expensive materials and reduce maintenance. This concept, born out of frustration, won him the £5,000 Emerald Challenge in 2023, run by the Institute of Quarrying, which supports net-zero carbon and sustainability in the industry.
Since winning, Drew, a former Royal Engineer, and owner of RDK Environmental, has focused on Silt Sump product development, creating and testing prototypes with industry colleagues. His work was also recognized with an ‘Innovator of the Year’ award at the Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards.