Waste disposal in the household - recycling systems for everyone
Erik & Tina Bahn, Arkitekterne Bahn, Danish Building Development Board,
Denmark
Sorting of garbage in trash chutes
When you are used to throwing your waste away through a hole in the wall,
it can be difficult to be motivated to sort the valuable part of the rubbish
and carry it a bit further in order to place it in a container. But now
a new Danish sorting-system has been developed to divide the trash already
at the garbage disposal chute. The plant is designed to sort four kinds
of waste; other categories can be added. This is how the system is used:
The system will always show the position "Residual rubbish".
By depressing the button indicating "Compost", "Glass"
or "Newspapers" the desired category is obtained.
The green light at "Residual rubbish" goes off immediately
when another category light is pressed. After about five seconds, the green
light for the desired category goes on. Thus any residual waste already
thrown down will have time to arrive at the correct container.
When the green light is on for the chosen category the chute can
again be used. Garbage may only be deposited when the green light is on.
After about ten seconds, the system will again return to the normal
position "Residual rubbish"
A yellow light indicates that the system is being emptied and therefore
cannot be used.
A red light indicates an error in the system. This can be due to
jamming, for example. When the error has been repaired, the system is turned
on by pressing the button "Reset" for about three seconds.
The research project includes development and testing of recycling systems
for waste disposal which is user-friendly and usable for as large a group
of the population as possible, and which can be installed in an existing
or new kitchen without economically-demanding changes or additions. The
Building Development Council has supported the project and issued a paper
with a description of the problems of the housing project and its inhabitants
(tenants), the conditions, documentation, and conclusion of recycling in
multi-story housing and perspective. A leading consideration in the project
has been to enable tenants to contribute oneself and take part in the daily
activities. The arrangement and accessories of the home have to be adapted
for the various abilities the residents have during the years. The research
has taken place in existing standard kitchens containing very little space.
The site
Rådhusdammen was chosen as an actual site because of the complex's
present waste disposal system's unsatisfactory performance for those of
the residents who are disabled, and because of Rådhusdammen's typical
low-density housing configuration. Rådhusdammen consists of 96 apartments,
34 of which are on the ground floor and are well suited for people with
disabilities. Rådhusdammen was built during 1979-1980.
The preconditions
The legislation and the exiting environmental and waste disposal systems
have been important factors for the project. The starting point for the
development of new recycling waste disposal systems in households has been
that the actual solutions must fit in a larger context around reuse of waste
disposal, (i.e., municipal garbage collection). The project has illuminated
the problems and the needs around recycling waste disposal for the residents
in the household and in the two sheds placed in the courtyards.
Methods for the development phase
The work method has been a combination of rough drafts/drawings and testing
of models and prototypes executed by the architects Bahn MMI and MAA. The
prototypes have been tested along the way by the Råddammen residents,
who have participated during all the project's phases through residents'
meetings. In August 1990 the project took part in Albertslund's municipal
environmental exhibition. The exhibition's spectators showed considerable
interest in the waste management problem.
Proposals
The following are suggested improvements concerning accessibility and lighting
in the housing complex's two garbage storage:
ventilation against odors,
automatic doors,
glass door and lighting.
The existing containers were given smaller lids which are much easier to
handle:
container with lid on the side,
container with a smaller lid, mounted on the existing container
lid,
container with a sliding lid, mounted on the existing container
lid.
The containers are to be painted in appropriate colors and given symbols
indicating their content. Easily recognizable signs and touch-typing are
to be applied. In the small standard kitchen the following ideas have been
tested:
garbage wagon on wheels containing four compartments,
"pull-out" cupboard, mounted under the kitchen table in
the "dead corner",
"swing-out" cupboard, mounted under the table in the "dead
corner",
"pull-out" plate, mounted on the top and bottom of the
kitchen cupboard.
Disposal through a chute in the kitchen table with a direct connection to
the personal recycling waste disposal container has been tested. The container
needs to be pulled out only when emptying is needed.
Conclusions
The research project has shown, that it is impossible to produce one complete
solution which satisfies all users' needs. Several systems have been developed,
each consisting of a standard basic module, having room for minimum two
compartments for compost and residue waste. Buckets or bags and cleaning
devices can be added. Glass and paper containers are stored either in the
systems or elsewhere in the house. At the end of the research project the
systems have shown to be usable, however in no way fully developed and refined.
Testing has shown that further refining of details is necessary.
In the near future, all households have to take part in some form of organized
recycling waste disposal system. Therefore it is of importance to have developed
several sorting systems which can be installed in existing standard kitchens
without large alterations causing economic burdens.
The research project has been developed with support from BUR. The project
has been elaborated by Arkitekterne Bahn, Holbæk and Nelleman A/S,
København.
