Crush It Green, a growing recycling and materials processing business in Gauteng, is living proof that environmental responsibility and commercial success can go hand in hand - especially when supported by the right machines and the right people.

Founded with a sustainability mission at its core, the company recycles construction and demolition waste, mine dumps, and legacy stockpiles that would otherwise end up in landfill. It’s a business model built around circular economy thinking: reclaiming materials, reducing waste, and feeding value back into the construction sector.

But when your business is built around uptime and output, machine choice matters.

“We’ve tried other machines before,” says Trevor Rodwell, Site Manager at Crush It Green, speaking from one of their active sites in Nigel. “But since switching to Volvo Construction Equipment through Babcock, the difference has been clear. Our operators love them, the machines are powerful and smooth, and we’ve seen a noticeable reduction in diesel consumption - which adds up fast across a fleet.”

Beyond the machine: a partner in the trenches

For Crush It Green, what really sets Volvo - and by extension Babcock - apart, isn’t just the equipment. It’s the speed and consistency of the support.

“In this business, downtime is expensive. If one machine goes down, it can sideline multiple others. That’s why Babcock’s after-sales support is critical. When I phone with a breakdown, there’s no long delay - I get a call back, a technician is dispatched, and parts arrive if needed. They understand how important it is to keep us running,” Rodwell explains.

That responsiveness has helped build more than just operational resilience - it’s fostered a relationship of trust.

“I’ve made real friendships in this business with the Babcock team. Whether it’s sales, parts, service - everyone is efficient, friendly, and focused on solving problems. That attitude puts money in our pocket at the end of the day.”

Operator-approved, performance proven

The people on the ground - operators and field teams - also feel the difference. “They constantly tell me how much they like the control panels, the machine response, the lack of power issues. Maintenance is easier too. They actually enjoy working with Volvo machines - and that matters,” says Rodwell.

Operator-approved, performance proven

At present, Crush It Green operates a fleet of ten Volvo machines - a mix of Volvo EC220 and Volvo EC300 excavators, alongside five Volvo L120 wheel loaders. The excavators are used to dig and pick up raw material, feeding it into the crusher. Once the material is processed, it moves along a conveyor and is deposited into piles - where the wheel loaders take over, picking up the recycled aggregates and placing them into organised stockpiles ready for reuse or resale.

The EC220 and EC300 excavators are ideally suited to heavy-duty material handling and site prep work, offering a balance of reach, breakout force, and hydraulic precision. The EC300, in particular, delivers excellent lifting capacity and digging performance for tough applications like handling oversized rubble or dense material from old mine dumps. Both models are engineered for fuel efficiency, helping to reduce consumption without compromising power - a benefit that aligns well with Crush It Green’s focus on cost control and environmental responsibility.

The Volvo L120 wheel loaders, a staple in rehandling and stockpiling work, are valued for their smooth, responsive hydraulics and operator comfort. Their load-sensing hydraulics make material handling faster and more precise - critical in a high-output, recycling-intensive operation. The spacious cab and ergonomic controls have also been noted by operators for reducing fatigue during long shifts.

Fuel efficiency is another key benefit. With multiple machines running simultaneously, even a one-litre-per-hour improvement makes a measurable financial impact. “It’s not just a nice-to-have - it’s a real advantage,” Rodwell notes.

Recycling in action

While the company hasn’t yet formalised sustainability metrics, its entire model is built around environmental benefit. Many of its projects involve processing discarded concrete from other businesses, keeping waste out of landfill and turning it into usable material for new construction work. “We’re not ticking boxes. We’re actively diverting waste and giving it new life,” says Rodwell.

Looking ahead: expansion and consolidation

Crush It Green has recently expanded its operations, investing in new machinery and tackling more sites. The focus now is on consolidation - maintaining standards, improving efficiencies, and growing sustainably.

“Babcock and Volvo are key to that journey. My only ask is: don’t change. Keep treating breakdowns as urgent. Keep supporting us on the finance side when we invest in bigger equipment. And walk that road with us,” says Rodwell.

His advice to other contractors?

“Volvo would always be my first choice. Not just because the machines are top quality - and they are - but because of the after-sales partnership. Babcock is a pleasure to deal with. We make money together. We break rocks together. We do what we do - together.”