Devising a waste collection strategy

An effective waste collection strategy is critical. It should outline how, where and with what frequency waste is collected.

Highbury Square. Photo by View

Frequency is important in terms of the amount of storage space required. Above all, waste collection points must be conveniently located and designed to maximise participation in recycling.

Such strategies can be prepared at the city or neighbourhood scale as appropriate. Successful examples of collection strategies include:

• the Highbury Square development in North London - council representatives were involved from an early stage and agreement was given for a daily, rather than weekly collection in order to deal with the amount of waste that would be generated. The daily collection regime has significantly reduced the space required in the masterplan for waste management, making the overall design of the development much more space efficient
• Toronto Waterfront - a pneumatic waste collection system was a key component of the sustainable design vision. Upfront capital costs were a significant financial issue but a life-cycle assessment showed that over a 20-year life cycle the pneumatic system would offer significant economic savings. The study also highlighted cost savings to the waste collection authority which will be shared with the developer, greatly assisting with the operational financial profile.

Careful collection route planning can minimise carbon emissions. Wherever possible, maximum use should be made of opportunities for sustainable transport of waste by rail and/or water. For example, the Greater London Authority’s business waste strategy specifically promotes the identification of sustainable transport links.

Priority: plan for sustainable waste management
Tags: waste, neighbourhoods