UK – aerobic organics collection bin trial yields fine results

A groundbreaking trial, collecting organic waste from householders in the London Borough of Bexley using aerobic bins, is set to revolutionise collections across the UK. A study, funded by SITA Environmental Trust has been published.

"If you can eat it and it grows, it goes in the aerobic bin" was the simple message given to householders.

Organic waste from householders, kitchens is deposited in a light Okraft, paper bag, which is placed in an aerobic kitchen ‘bio-bin‘. When this requires changing, on average every 2 to 3 days, the bag is deposited in a ventilated aerobic wheeled bin, lined with a larger wet strength Okraft, sack. The aerobic wheeled bins are emptied using a normal refuse collection vehicle and the paper sacks and bags are composted with their contents. By using paper sacks and keeping the organic waste in aerobic conditions, the problems of odour and flies, build-up of liquids in the base of the bin, plus bin-cleaning are removed. This is a truly innovative project, and it is likely that the system will be taken up by Local Authorities across the UK.

The trial

289 households were chosen by Bexley Council in four representative streets The trial took place throughout 2004 The composition of the organic bins was analysed three times by Network Recycling along with residual and dry-recyclable fractions Towards the end of the trial, an attitude / participation doorstep survey was also conducted. The report was written by Bexley Council and Network Recycling from the perspective of the householder ^ what they said they were doing against what they actually did, and from the perspective of the local authority.

Key Points & Conclusion

Importantly, the system proved to be easy for householders to use from day one.

It reduces the biological content of residual waste stream and reduces Landfill Allowance requirement for disposal to landfill under LATS (the English Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme).

The system overcomes the related problems of odour, maggots and flies, and as a consequence makes it easy for alternate week collections of organic and residual waste fractions to be introduced.

Alternate week collection of residual and organic waste offers the opportunity to harness human nature and avoid any need for enforcement of recycling compliance, currently the subject of debate among local authorities. By explaining to householders that the aerobic bin is designed to cope with organic collections every two weeks whereas the residual bin is not, householders will quickly become aware through their sense of smell that they have a strong reason to ensure that their organic waste is placed in the aerobic bin.

By providing a set of bins which are fit for purpose, opting for alternate week collection of organic and residual waste streams, and harnessing human nature, the way is finally open for achieving a dramatic increase in quantities of organic waste diverted from landfill