Waste management A hidden resource

Outstanding statistics

Landfill deposits of waste in Sweden is now down to 4%, a record low. Waste treatment is a booming and the amounts of treated waste increase by 5% yearly. Biological treatment is the fastest growing. Consuming 46% of all waste, incineration is big too. Incineration generates as much energy as 1.1 million m³ of oil – enough to heat 810,000 homes. This reduces CO₂ emissions by 2.2 million tonnes per year, which is the same as if 680,000 car owners turned their petrol engines off at the same time.  

Recycling of materials is a key feature in a SymbioCity. It means not only saving raw materials and natural resources but also energy and money. The recycling of aluminum cans is for example twenty times more energy efficient than the use of raw aluminum. Save your cans!

But possible to reach

Actually achieving such numbers in other cities and countries may not be as hard as you might think. However there is no standard waste management solution. The chosen approach must reflect the type of waste, local and geographical conditions and how well the waste is source separated. The different methods – material recycling, biological treatment, waste to energy and landfill – should also be combined for the best results.

Cooperation the key to success

The success of waste management hinges how well municipalities and their private counterparts work together.

Because waste collection involves a fairly high transport load, refuse collectors and traffic planners need to plan efficient systems. SymbioCity can guide you through the entire process for an optimal outcome.

SymbioCity waste management is also about...

• Minimizing landfills and redeveloping old waste disposal sites for ecological and recreational purposes.
• Digestion of biodegradable waste, septic sludge, wastewater sludge and similar materials – potentially a feasible option for small-scale energy and biogas production 
• Minimising industrial waste and phasing out hazardous substances by collaborating with business, environmental and waste collectors.
• Encouraging water and drainage utilities and waste collectors to work together to prevent dumping of waste and septic sludge in stormwater and/or wastewater catchment areas.  
• Collecting and recycling waste fractions such as metals, glass, paper and cardboard, plastics, batteries and hazardous substances.