Image
Bergen underground waste collection system
Published on 08 January 2019
Norway
Vestlandet
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The city of Bergen was one of the cities in Europe to use underground waste collection to cover its entire city center, around 7 sq km and 12,000 households
Resources needed
The estimated construction cost for the underground waste collection system was NOK 1.239.860.000. These costs include the development of the pipe system, costs for all inlets and the construction of two waste collection stations. Households pay a fee which covers a large part of expenses.
Evidence of success
In areas with the new system in place, the old waste bins and containers have been removed, giving the inhabitants of Bergen more space, better hygiene and lowered risk for fire. In addition the new system has had very few technical problems since being put into operation. At the same time, it has contributed to a higher level of recycling among the residents living in the city center.
Potential for learning or transfer
A bold political decision in 2008 - all waste handling in the city center to be moved underground. Underground waste system wass constructed together with other infrastructure: district heating, rehabilitation of water/waste water, cable infrastructure. Pay-as-you-throw fee is now integrated in system with ID-registration. These all brought a high quality system with no down-time, good-looking inlets, with higher service-level results in satisfied customers.
Few challenges which this system can be a solution could solve are the city's narrow roads and limited space for waste storage and many wooden houses (fire hazard) posing a fire hazard. Recycling in general was limited before introducing the underground waste system with integrated PAYT-fee.
Installing underground pipe system is only possible with good cooperation with other infrastructure utilities. Collecting household- and commercial waste together is possible with ID-tracking
Few challenges which this system can be a solution could solve are the city's narrow roads and limited space for waste storage and many wooden houses (fire hazard) posing a fire hazard. Recycling in general was limited before introducing the underground waste system with integrated PAYT-fee.
Installing underground pipe system is only possible with good cooperation with other infrastructure utilities. Collecting household- and commercial waste together is possible with ID-tracking
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Municipality of Bergen, Waste Management company BIR AS
Norway
Vestlandet
Contact
Project Manager