Bins & containers


Looking at waste bins in a different light


Waste containers are the cornerstones of the waste management industry, but often get a bad press due to vandalism, cross-contamination and general use and abuse. Joe Morris takes a look at examples that prove solutions can be robust and, when the need arises, even elegant.


Joe Morris Freelance writer


O


F THE defining attributes that separate humanity from all other species, our endless capacity for invention must surely rank near the top spot. Whether flint axes or GPS, the


products of our fertile imaginations allowed the transition from feeble scavengers to dominators of the entire global ecosphere and possibly beyond. An exponential increase in ‘making stuff’


over the last century has led directly to the varied waste and recycling industry as we know it today. Once, most materials were biodegradable and those that weren’t were too precious to waste. Luckily, of course, we do have a thriving


waste industry, and that fundamental human urge to innovate, solve and develop in the face of necessity is as strong here as anywhere in 2014. Often, a small yet clever step can make a big difference.


Taylor Bin manufacturer Taylor’s new Slam-Lock is an example of how elegant simplicity in design can make a big difference to the user. Julian Gaylor, the company’s sales and


marketing director, tells RWW: “Something that has generated particular interest over the last few months and looks set to make its mark as an inexpensive and effective solution is Taylor’s Slam-Lock, a patented waste container-locking device that we developed in conjunction with Veolia Environmental Services and Westminster City Council. “The council was experiencing increasing


levels of cross contamination as residents were depositing waste indiscriminately over the top of open containers instead of using the correct aperture for each waste stream.” So what was the solution? Lateral thinking. The sales and marketing director explains:


“We developed a lock that works in a similar way to a car bonnet in as much as it clicks and locks in place when depressed. “As the main body of the container is only


accessible using a specific key made available to waste collection operatives, residents or users of the units have to use one of the apertures provided. Results so far show it has significantly reduced waste sent to landfill in Westminster and more local authorities look set to retrofit their existing Taylor container stock with the Slam-Lock over the next 12 months.” Contamination is usually driven by


ignorance rather than deliberate misuse. Another of Taylor’s recent products


addresses the information deficit that often lies behind practical issues on the ground Gaylor again: “Whilst the Slam-Lock


forces the hands of those using the units by providing no alternative way of depositing waste Taylor’s latest product, the Cage Bin, drives recycling engagement and reduces contamination by tapping into the psychology of its users. “The concept is simple and addresses


contamination issues in the collection of dry 4 January 30 2014


www. r e c y c l i n gwa s t ewo r l d . c o . u k Recycling & WA S T E W O R L D


recyclables by using mesh sides or ‘viewing panels’ that enable the user to clearly see what is inside the bin and what the container is specifically for. The mesh side panels of the Taylor Continental Cage recycling containers also allow collection crews and users to become instantly aware of any wrongly placed waste, preventing whole loads from becoming contaminated.”


Wybone Simplicity is always relative - in the words of Einstein, ‘make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler’. A straightforward, focused design ethos is just as relevant to high tech solutions as it is to the more fundamentally mechanical. Take Wybone’s new interactive ‘Strobe’


recycling unit, for example, pictured below. Bringing together smart multimedia


capability and renewable energy technology in one unit, it exploits the latest developments in pursuit of an old objective - persuasion. A spokesman explains: “The Strobe is


multi-sensory and features braille, LED illuminated waste stream signs, counting recyclables sign and it even talks to you. Every aspect of this unit has been designed to encourage and promote recycling and ultimately boost your recycling rates, whilst also engaging the user. “Transparent panels help to quickly


identify waste streams on approach, whilst audio messages ‘thank you for recycling’, trigger the deposit counter and flashing LEDs. “Bespoke audio messages and artwork


options make the unit unique to each location


whilst solar power creates a standalone unit with minimal installation.” Cutting-edge electronics are supplemented


by some clever low-tech ergonomic considerations too. “The clear panels on the unit make it


easy to see what recyclables should go in each compartment and a vinyl sticker helps when the bin is empty, preventing cross contamination of waste streams and ultimately boost recycling rates.” The Strobe is another tale of fertile


collaboration between private innovators and a public body, in this case WRAP Wales, who are keen to discover whether interactivity can boost recycling rates. Wybone’s spokesman again: “The


recyclables collected will be monitored and analysed for six months to evaluate the impact they are having. It is hoped that these unique multi-sensory units will make a big impression and boost the recycling rates at both universities.”


UKCM Innovation doesn’t just concern technology, it is also about new ways of doing business. UKCM has enjoyed a stratospheric rise in recent years. Co-founder, Emma Elston explains the


company’s success. “By refurbishing and recycling bottle banks


and waste containers for local authorities up and down the UK, we are saving councils thousands of pounds each year. UKCM ensures each container is restored to its former glory.”


This approach seems to be reaping


dividends, with a burgeoning list of satisfied customers. A recent client, Ben Bryant, recycling officer at Devon’s Teignbridge District Council is very positive. “Working with UKCM has allowed us to


fully refurbish and spruce up the majority of our fleet of large glass, plastic and paper recycling banks. I can happily say we now take great pride in our fleet of bring-banks which are a credit to UKCM. “I have recently asked UKCM to visit us for


a third time to complete more refurbishments to another 10 banks over one week using their mobile recycling bank maintenance service.” With these inspiring tales of industry


foresight to hand, it is easy to believe that the sector is in safe hands. Will continued innovation and


collaboration be the key to a fruitful 2014? Taylor’s Gaylor thinks so. “The waste sector is going from strength-to-


strength and this is being driven by a mixture of innovation which, in our case, is clear in our focus on product development. “For Taylor, 2014 is a year of continuing to


develop our UK and international presence as a provider of urban waste solutions and street furniture while building and developing relationships with those at every stage of the waste supply chain. With a more collaborative approach across the waste sector becoming more and more apparent, we believe that this will become a huge factor in the success of businesses such as ours and we are confident that it will support our growth plans throughout 2014 and beyond.”


RWW


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