Pushing the Boundaries of Street Sweeping: Pick-up Performance Testing, Microplastics and the Future of Urban Stormwater Pollution Removal

An Interview on the Test With James Crockett of Netherlands-based Fayat Cleantech Solutions

James Crockett is National Dealer Development and Sales Manager for Fayat Cleantech America's RAVO and SCARAB sweeper product lines. Crockett was the Fayat Cleantech coordinator for the company's participation in the recent Sea Grant/NOAA microplastics testing conducted in Los Angeles through oversight by the City of Santa Barbara.

The test was developed by noted sweeper researcher, Roger Sutherland, along with Ranger Kidwell-Ross, Editor of WorldSweeper.com and Director of the World Sweeping Association. In the following, Kidwell-Ross interviewed Crockett on why the Fayat organization chose to participate in the test. In it they were joined by Merit Sweeprite; however, no U.S.-based sweeping companies chose to participate.

Ranger Kidwell-Ross: I'm talking today with James Crockett of Fayat Cleantech America. Fayat was very willing and excited about participating in the microplastics test with their sweepers. James, why were you interested in this test, and why did you put so much energy into it, bringing what appeared to be very well-kept sweepers and a great operator?

James Crockett: Thanks, Ranger. First off, I appreciate the invitation to collaborate on this test–not only with you, but also with Roger Sutherland, the city of Santa Barbara, UC Santa Barbara, Sea Grant, and NOAA. Our interest comes from ongoing conversations and our mission to push street sweeper performance.

The European sweepers, like RAVO and SCARAB, have strict EU protocols regarding dust emissions, specifically PM2.5 and PM10, which you'll see labeled on the machines. These standards mean sweepers are tested and measured for dust control much more rigorously than here in the US, where the AQMD Rule 1186 is the main protocol and hasn't seen meaningful change for 27 years.

For us, this microplastics test felt like Rule 1186 "2.0," giving us a chance to see what real improvements have been made. For the test we chose our RAVO R5e, a 100% electric pure vacuum sweeper and the SCARAB Maven 65 dual engine, truck-mounted, pure vacuum sweeper. Both have had many years of product evolution. But what really drew us was the microplastics element–no one has extensively tested or documented how sweepers impact microplastics on roads.

We all hear about indoor microplastics, but the outdoor environment–like the microplastics from tire wear accumulating on streets–gets little attention. Those particulates are carried into storm drains and can end up in food sources, so learning how sweepers can mitigate that is crucial not just for the US, but worldwide.

We've always considered ourselves a global leader, and participating at a high level in this kind of research is key for us–not just for our own learning, but so we can communicate these insights through our teams in Europe and globally.

Ranger Kidwell-Ross: I agree, and it was impressive to see the Fayat –SCARAB and RAVO sweepers at the test. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, for instance, we've identified a tire chemical that's highly toxic to salmon. Despite this being known, tire manufacturers haven't removed it yet. So, getting this stuff off the roads–through effective sweeping–is increasingly important.

James Crockett: Exactly. In all my years in the industry, prior testing and research–much of it done by you and Roger–shows that street sweeping is the most cost-effective Best Management Practice (BMP) for water quality. It's the only mobile BMP that can reduce the amount of pollutants entering our waterways, and its role should be emphasized much more in the stormwater community.

Ranger Kidwell-Ross: Absolutely. And I've always said it's vital to know which sweepers can genuinely do the job, not just pass an old test. If a sweeper fails, improve it until it works.

James Crockett: There's a huge difference in approach in Europe. For example, RAVO has invested heavily in PM2.5 and PM10 mitigation–like hygiene platforms with electrostatic charging to attract fine particulates, which can then be washed out. They've also improved water recycling tech, which boosts productivity and dust suppression without constantly refilling tanks, internally lubricating the vacuum system. Our hope is that these advances are clear in the test results.

What matters is controlling the variables–demonstrating a product in its standard setup, with a skilled operator like Matt Kmieczak, who is our Dealer Trainer and Product Demo Specialist. Matt, for example, I know not only operated the sweeper impressively but also critically analyzes results and continually asks: "How can I make this even better?" Empowering our people is key–they're passionate and always striving for improvement.

Ranger Kidwell-Ross: And your team is well-versed in these technical concepts. Matt was thoughtful about how to adjust for even better outcomes, and that speaks volumes about your organization.

James Crockett: When you empower employees–public or private–they don't just follow instructions, they think critically and improve processes. It makes a visible difference for us at Fayat Cleantech. Matt was excited to represent us in testing and did his homework, always striving for data integrity and realistic operations.

Editor's Note: In the video embedded at the bottom of this interview you will see one of the machines' tests, as well as get a look at the thought processes provided by Matt, Fayat's operator, between his first, 5mph, test and the second one that was conducted with the same machine at 10mph.

Ranger Kidwell-Ross: You're a European-based company, and sometimes here in America we assume we're global leaders. Actually, Europe often has better environmental regulations. I've seen firsthand, especially in places like Copenhagen–where I found that street sweeping, canal cleaning, and runoff management are all taken very seriously. Having that pedigree is a huge advantage, and I hope the American market recognizes it.

James Crockett: When we introduce RAVO or SCARAB in the US, some customers dismiss us at first because we're not the incumbent. We have to work harder and demonstrate our products' value–and once they try them, especially the electric models, they're often amazed by the advanced technology. Investments like a new parts depot in South Carolina show our commitment. In Europe, urban areas are swept and cleaned much more frequently, and any drop in standards is met with strong public reaction–that mindset shapes our business.

Ranger Kidwell-Ross: That's a very astute point. Education is paramount. When people are informed, they can make better decisions, and this is a great example.

James Crockett: The key is communicating these findings through the right media–social, web, and print–so more people understand the difference our technology can make. We're excited to see the results and share them widely; our reputation is built on what our products can do.

Ranger Kidwell-Ross: Looking forward to sharing the results with you and the entire street sweeping industry as soon as we can. Thank you, James, for your thoughtful insights–you've brought a lot of value to this discussion and to the industry.

James Crockett: Thank you, Ranger. If there's ever another opportunity–testing, education, anything–just ask. Always happy to contribute.

If you'd like to watch a YouTube video that offers some details about how the testing process operated, check out the one embedded below or use this link to view it in YouTube in a full-sized version.

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