I am hugely fond of the UK. Like the majority of the population Ill have the odd grumble at the weather and make mutterings about the rising cost of petrol but on the whole, we live in a relatively fair society that holds its own on the global stage and is one of the worlds economic powerhouses.
The only criticism I have of the UK is its inherent resistance to change. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is our rail infrastructure.
The UK helped to create the blueprint for rail travel yet it is other countries throughout the world that are now recognised for their rail transportation network.
The UK was left standing at the station and now we arguably have one of the least efficient rail infrastructures in operation.
So, how does this relate to the UKs approach to waste management?
I am often asked why underground waste vacuum technology is only just being introduced to the UK. After all, Envac has been operating across the world since 1961 and is now established in 20 countries.
From Floridas Disneyland to Barcelonas Olympic Village, Envac has demonstrated that underground vacuum waste management systems for densely populated environments work.
Risk-averse nature
Whilst costs are an ever-present concern for developers and local authorities, I believe one of the main reasons why underground vacuum waste management is only just finding its feet over here is our risk-averse nature.
Like the UKs rail infrastructure, the principal of waste management has remained unchanged since the 19th century. From the humble dustcart to the modern day refuse vehicles that populate the roads today, waste is still collected by road from each individuals household.
Whilst other services and utilities such as sewerage, water, drainage and now modern day telecommunications have wisely been designed to be out of sight in the underground infrastructure, solid waste collection has remained much the same.
Why has the UK been so slow to adopt this thinking to waste management? We cant hide behind the excuse that there isnt a proven alternative. The Envac system has been installed in many countries around the world and has been working successfully for more than 50 years.
We obviously cant turn the clock back but we can do something about new areas that are being developed and existing areas that are being regenerated.
There is an ever-increasing need for the UK population to recycle more, send less waste to landfill and reduce its carbon footprint, and the Envac system ticks all these boxes and provides a 21st century solution to a challenge that manual collection methods alone struggle to fulfil.
Envacs waste inlets, one for each type of waste, are placed in groups at various points throughout the development, which can range from a few hundred apartments through to an entire city.
A computer-controlled system monitors the waste and emptying times are programmed to suit, at which time the valve opens and the waste is sucked into a pipe system. Once in the pipe network, waste is sucked up to speeds of 70mph through distances as long as 2km.
Diverting valves ensure that different types of waste do not mix and each type of waste is directed into its correct container at a central point. The waste is then automatically fed into large containers, which are then hoisted onto collection vehicles when full and taken away by the local council or waste management company for recycling.
Benefits
There are multiple benefits to a system like this as Envacs first installation at Wembley City has demonstrated. Recycling levels are approaching 50 per cent in an area that contains only flats, whilst waste collection vehicle movements and carbon emissions have reduced by 90 per cent.
Perhaps what is more important is that it can help the UK to achieve the governments ambitious long-term carbon reduction targets.
The UK is currently witnessing a sea change in the way in which waste is addressed from a design viewpoint. The changing environmental, economic, social and political landscape now places more responsibility on architects and planners to create a sustainable legacy within the built environment that will stand the test of time.
If we are to look back in 30 years time with the same sense of missed opportunity akin to that of the UKs rail infrastructure then we will know that we have made the wrong decisions. In order to avoid this, maybe we should take the same approach as our European and Scandinavian counterparts.
In my early days I gave a presentation to a group of UK-based developers with one of my Swedish colleagues. During the question session I was asked about risk.
My Swedish colleague thought the question referred to the risk of not taking the opportunity to install the system, but of course us Brits prefer to look for a reason not to change, rather than be positive and look for the reason to do something different – and better!
Either way, it will be tomorrows generation that will judge the decisions we make today.
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