Coping with waste in high-density environments

Given the difficulty of finding space above ground in high-density neighbourhoods, underground waste storage is being increasingly considered.

Lorraine Farrely

There are also constraints below ground in the form of infrastructure and services but, where it is possible, waste collection and storage options include gravity-fed/mechanical systems as well as more technologically advanced suction/vacuum systems. However, the servicing of underground systems needs to be considered carefully because there have been some problems.

Abbotts Wharf in London is an example of an underground waste collection system at a site scale in Britain. The system installed was chosen as a more practical and attractive alternative to chutes and bin stores installed in individual buildings, thereby offering more discreet way of handling domestic waste. The scheme comprises 200 properties in 4, 8 and 13 storey buildings with an integrated central storage underground which has little visibility at ground level.

A vacuum waste collection system has been installed at New Wembley. This system uses a vacuum to ‘suck’ material deposited via chutes from buildings. The material is held in a chamber and, once full, the system automatically opens a valve and moves the material to a central bulking facility which may be on site (on a larger site) or off site, for example at a municipal waste recycling centre. By removing the need for collection using conventional vehicles this reduces carbon emissions, improves air quality, reduces accidents and can deliver greater flexibility in site layout and design.

The technology operates in 600 neighbourhoods around the world, including the Olympic village in Barcelona and Hammarby Sjöstad in Sweden. It is also possible to retrofit this technology to existing neighbourhoods in cities as has been undertaken in the historic quarter of Vitoria, Spain.

Reverse vending machines are facilities for recycling used drinks cans and bottles. They can be installed in high density retail areas and public buildings as a way of collecting units and reducing their size in preparation for recycling.

Priority: plan for sustainable waste management
Tags: waste, neighbourhoods, buildings and spaces