Construction Magazine November 2014 | Page 13

MEETING TOMORROW ’ S WASTE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
existing service corridors easier . Technology such as this enables planners , architects and municipalities to future-proof their waste collection methods whilst occupying as little private and public space as possible .
Barriers to achieving a circular economy Waste collection and its subsequent treatment is a key piece of the circular economy puzzle , however it is only one of the many factors that need to be addressed in order to complete it . The model ’ s ultimate goal is to reduce waste , consume less and re-use more . Technology such as Envac addresses all these issues however in order to implement this new technology we need to understand the bigger picture , which is that waste collection in the future will be considered to be more than just an issue of logistics .
Cities of today face pressure on two distinct levels . Firstly , there is a pressure to compete with other cities around the globe on a financial footing . Secondly , there is a pressure on cities to consume less and demonstrate an on-going commitment to the environment and the people they serve . There is a general
Envac CEO , Christer Ojdemark
misconception that you can have one or the other , however the beauty of introducing new technology is that it has the power to change perception and behaviour . In terms of urban waste management this is long overdue .
The concept of a circular economy is hugely commendable however Government now needs to drive change . Without its support there is a danger that sustainability , under its new cloak of the circular economy , could be sidelined once again .
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