Underground bin systems, like Sulo’s Iceberg, reduce street clutter and collection frequency.

An innovative re-think of waste collecting methods is required to overcome issues in high density residential and public places, writes Sulo MGB Australia’s John Kernahan.

When introduced to Australia in the early 1980s, mobile garbage bins (MGBs) presented a significant change to the existing manual practices of waste removal. Now they are the most common collection container in Australia, with two- and four-wheeled units collected by vehicles with automatic lifting arms being widely used across both domestic and commercial sectors.

However, the value of MGBs as resource collection containers for public place recycling, medium to high density (MHD) housing and specialised commercial settings (such as caravan parks or events arenas) is beginning to come into question. This is due to a number of factors including: placement, space, aesthetics, manual handling requirements, limited capacities, littering and over filling, and required collection frequency.

In the NSW Department of Environment & Conservation’s 2006 review of the Better Practice Guide for Waste Management in Multi-Unit Dwellings, GHD consultants cited numerous arguments against the use of MGBs. These not only related to the fit of the container but also to the occupational health and safety issues that arise when using large quantities of MGBs.

One of the key differences between using MGBs for domestic versus public place resource recovery lies in the collection process. Public places and apartment blocks generally entail large numbers of MGBs being picked up at a single collection point, which often increases the manual handling requirements as the bins are often not stored at the collection point and must be manually moved. In addition, the sheer number of MGBs often creates a traffic hazard for other road users and pedestrians, not to mention the visual impact on the streetscape.

There are options beyond the MGB, with numerous Alternative Collection Technologies (ACTs) available throughout the world. The majority of these show a distinct movement towards larger volume containers with lower collection frequencies and automated emptying, which helps achieve greater cost efficiencies and reduce OH&S related issues. The appearance of the surrounding environment and streetscape is also a common element in the development of these new technologies.

Reverse vending machines
A reverse vending machine (RVM) is designed to accept used and empty beverage containers and provide a refund in the form of a receipt or cash. RVMs were primarily created for areas that incorporate container deposit legislations (High Technology). Using two dimensional and three dimensional image processing, RVMs are able to identify an empty container and issue the appropriate refund.
Countries such as Finland introduced RVMs in 2000 with great success. Benefits include compact size, ease of use, variety of containers collected, large built in storage, easy emptying and maintenance, and relatively low cost.

Compactor bins
Technology advances in the development of the common compaction unit have led to dramatic reductions in size. Self-sufficient compactors, operating off solar power, can now be found on the street for use by the general public. These allow for large volumes of resources to be collected and compacted into easy to handle products. Further to this, some compactors can also be fitted with transmitting devices that alert the collection company when the container is ready for collection. Standard compactors are often used in conjunction with other systems to further increase collection efficiencies, for instance incorporated within waste collection vehicles.

Automated litter collection
One US company, Toter, has simply automated the collection process for the standard street litter bin. This is achieved by manufacturing a litter bin that can be automatically lifted by a collection vehicle in the same manner as an MGB. The litter bin, however, requires a much smaller placement area and is a stand alone unit that does not require a stand.
To ensure the bin remains closed, preventing unauthorised opening, a gravity release lid lock is also fitted. Once the bin is inverted, the gravity lock automatically releases and the bin can be emptied into the collection vehicle. The ability to collect street litter bins where they stand with an automated arm reduces the potential of injuries to workers and increases productivity. It also allows for a more efficient emptying process that reduces the disruption of day-to-day traffic.

Automated systems for complexes
Automated collection systems allow resources to be collected through a network of pipes to a central location. Such systems are advancements on the traditional high-rise waste chute.
An adaptation to the standard waste chute is a system called pneumatic waste collection (PneuLogix). Instead of waste being stored under the building and then suctioned out into a collection vehicle, it is sucked to a centrally located waste transfer station. To achieve this, an underground network of pipes is required, reaching distances of up to 1.5 km. Resources can be collected from a variety of drop-off points throughout a single building or even a residential development area, including restaurants and shopping complexes.

Underground systems
The most common feature of underground collection systems is the effective use of ‘hidden’ capacity, where large collection containers are located below ground level, such as Sulo’s new Iceberg bin range. The user simply sees the above ground portion of the container, which looks like a small litter bin. Key benefits of this system include:
• It can reduce collection costs and maintenance costs through lower emptying frequencies;
• self-compaction through natural gravity forces;
• reduced manual handling through automatic empty-ing at the site location;
• improved cleanliness of collection sites and infrastructure appearance;
• cooler underground temperatures slows degradation and reduces odour; and
• the containers are easily customised to suit different resource streams.
Regardless of specific type, waste systems that are automated and largely underground tend to result in a cleaner residential environment with fewer
refuse vehicles and an improved work environment for waste personnel, while maintaining resource recovery in medium to high density developments and public places.
Innovative new solutions require a re-think of current methods and some persuasion to move toward the fully integrated underground collection and/or the vacuum style systems. Major consideration needs to be given to the status of resource recovery in the
development application process and better integration between planning and operations is needed – so is model waste development control planning and increased standardisation across all councils.

More from John Kernahan (02) 4348 8188 or j.kernahan@sulo.com.au