Birmingham Housing Development Considered for Underground Bins

Birmingham Housing Development
Considered for Underground Bins

A new 6000 home development in the north of Birmingham might be getting state-of-the-art underground bins. Residents would have bins for general waste, compostable waste, recycling, paper, and batteries in their homes, and when they want to empty their bin or bin bag, they would simply put the waste into the appropriate waste chute on the pavement. The chutes feed big underground chambers that have smart sensors which alert the waste collection company when they are full. Special refuse vehicles, which will be fitted with cranes will then lift the containers out of the ground and empty the rubbish.

Those who wish to see the system introduced say that there are many benefits including a reduced carbon footprint, increased recycling rates and happier residents because there’ll be no overflowing bins or missed collections. The system can also cut waste collection costs, as one refuse team member can do the job of three standard crew, and one rubbish chute can serve many homes, so it does away with the need for every home to have three wheelie bins. The system has been successful in a  North West Cambridge Development and it has been given much praise for innovation.

The system replaces 9000 bins

If it’s introduced, the underground system would potentially replace 9,000 wheelie bins, because 3000 homes can be served by just 451 rubbish chutes.

Councillors have welcomed the fact that the system is being considered and said that the council’s priority is to make Birmingham’s streets greener and cleaner. They added that they will explore all options to deliver the best possible service for residents. The council recently carried out a consultation on the new housing development.

The benefits of an underground waste system

A planning document for the development has outlined that the developers want to create a modern residential community with excellent infrastructure. They added that they want the development to be designed and built with goals like a low carbon footprint in mind, as well as making a positive contribution towards local air quality.

The document also states that by introducing an underground waste system, it would prioritise the reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery of waste.

The council leader said that the new development is not only about delivering homes, but building a new community and setting the benchmark for sustainable development.

The Langley Sutton Coldfield Consortium which owns more than 90% of the site, is expected to submit a planning application early next year.

Images courtesy of North West Cambridge Development