Integrating waste infrastructure into new developments

New neighbourhoods and major urban extensions provide excellent opportunities to integrate facilities for sustainable waste management. This should be recognised at the planning stage.

Vacuum waste system in Hammarby Sjöstad Photo by David Cowlard

At Hammarby Sjöstad in Sweden, waste management infrastructure was an integral element of the original masterplan. By having clearly stated objectives from the outset, waste management requirements informed the detailed design discussions between the plot developers, architects and city planning team. Key features include combustible waste recycled as heat, and food waste composted into soil.

Many local authorities have produced sustainable design codes and streetscape design plans which make consideration of waste collection and storage an intrinsic part of the design. One example is South Oxfordshire District Council’s Design Guide, which sets out design considerations for sustainable waste management under the heading of sustainable development. Regional and local waste planning guidance provides a useful avenue for exploring principles to be supported at a neighbourhood scale.

Making space for waste management should be integral to the design of all buildings. Internal space is required for storage and external space for bulking up and collection.

In residential buildings, dedicated external covered space is required. Designs should consider how waste will get from the kitchen to the collection point and where space for separation might be available and most convenient.

In commercial and industrial buildings, designers need to start by assessing the waste that will be generated by the process and plan accordingly. The development should be planned so that waste can be separated, stored and collected safely and easily. Hazardous waste needs special storage and access. Producing a ‘waste map’ can help to assist with the design of the building to ensure that waste is planned for at the outset.

Priority: plan for sustainable waste management
Tags: waste, neighbourhoods, buildings and spaces