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Underground collection points
Published on 20 April 2021
Belgium
Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The City of Ghent has implemented a number of sorting sites offering insert columns for 5 different types of waste: residual household waste, plastics/metals/drinks cartons (PMD), organic waste, glass bottles, paper/cardboard.
Citizens bring their household waste to these sorting sites and have access with a personalized badge that is also used as a payment tool.
Using the card, an amount will automatically be charged to the user.
Users receive an invoice every time they pass below a certain balance threshold. Not only the sorting sites are invoiced as such, but also other types of waste deposit such as door-to-door and civil amenity sites.
Collection is done based detection of the filling of the containers either based on the number of deposits (residual waste, organic,PMD) or on the information provide by sensors (glass/paper).
The underground containers have a capacity of 5m³ which makes that trucks are much more efficient and environment friendly.
The city of Ghent has 28 sorting sites in the city servicing 3000 families and 500 students.
The advantages are sixfold:
• Hygienic
• Fireproof
• No IVAGO garbage bags needed
• On public ground: more social controle
• Seperate VFG (green and fruits) collection
• Less garbage trucks in the city (volumes up to 5m³).
Citizens bring their household waste to these sorting sites and have access with a personalized badge that is also used as a payment tool.
Using the card, an amount will automatically be charged to the user.
Users receive an invoice every time they pass below a certain balance threshold. Not only the sorting sites are invoiced as such, but also other types of waste deposit such as door-to-door and civil amenity sites.
Collection is done based detection of the filling of the containers either based on the number of deposits (residual waste, organic,PMD) or on the information provide by sensors (glass/paper).
The underground containers have a capacity of 5m³ which makes that trucks are much more efficient and environment friendly.
The city of Ghent has 28 sorting sites in the city servicing 3000 families and 500 students.
The advantages are sixfold:
• Hygienic
• Fireproof
• No IVAGO garbage bags needed
• On public ground: more social controle
• Seperate VFG (green and fruits) collection
• Less garbage trucks in the city (volumes up to 5m³).
Expert opinion
The benefits brought by the setting up of a network of underground collection points that citizens in Ghent can use for the conferral of different waste streams are numerous. The operationalization of the network led to remarkable increases in the rates of the separate collection of the different waste fractions. Citizens adhered massively to the PAYT system linked to waste conferral, the city looks cleaner, less garbage trucks are circulating, less waste garbage is abandoned in the streets: all this contributes to a better, more livable urban environment. While significant upfront costs may need to be sustained for setting up the network of underground collection points, the practice also suggests that the payback period for this investment remains reasonable. Other local and regional authorities may be interested in adopting similar solutions, which can also be implemented thanks to EU support. The ERDF and various other funding instruments that can be accessed to implement circular economy projects.
Resources needed
The system requires a considerable upfront investment, but depending on the prices this investment has a reasonable payback period.
Evidence of success
Citizens/users are positive
90% of the accommodation units are using it
- 95% Residual waste
- 90% PMD – Glass – Paper and cardboards
- 60% organic
=> 3000 active families by the end of 2019.
90% of the accommodation units are using it
- 95% Residual waste
- 90% PMD – Glass – Paper and cardboards
- 60% organic
=> 3000 active families by the end of 2019.
Potential for learning or transfer
The project is easily transferable to other cities. However a considerable upfront investment is needed.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Ivago
Belgium
Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen
Contact
Expert Communication