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Removable Mobile Bin Areas in Palma de Mallorca
Published on 15 January 2019
Spain
Illes Balears
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The practice consists of creating a new separate waste collection service in the city's historical centre where bins cannot be permanently sited due to the features of the area (narrow streets and inaccessible zones, etc.) or for aesthetic reasons (presence of historical monuments and business areas, etc.). Bins are placed on public thoroughfares on a daily basis and left there for a specific length of time. The most appropriate period is during the evening/night (between 6 pm and 11 pm).
The bins are transported using electric vehicles to reduce noise pollution for residents. The bins are transported and placed at specific points in the zone and users must place their waste in them during the length of time specified. At the end of this period, the bins are taken to the transfer station and emptied. They are then stored at the same station, or at another suitable location. In order to make the service more efficient, the bins make up a single platform which is easier and faster to install and remove.
This mobile platform can be made up of different bins, with a minimum of one bin for each type of waste (general, organic, plastic, paper and glass), of different sizes. Depending on the waste produced, more bins for any of these types of waste can be added. The following picture shows the technical data and composition of the mobile platform.
The bins are transported using electric vehicles to reduce noise pollution for residents. The bins are transported and placed at specific points in the zone and users must place their waste in them during the length of time specified. At the end of this period, the bins are taken to the transfer station and emptied. They are then stored at the same station, or at another suitable location. In order to make the service more efficient, the bins make up a single platform which is easier and faster to install and remove.
This mobile platform can be made up of different bins, with a minimum of one bin for each type of waste (general, organic, plastic, paper and glass), of different sizes. Depending on the waste produced, more bins for any of these types of waste can be added. The following picture shows the technical data and composition of the mobile platform.
Resources needed
Platforms: €18,000, truck: €36,000, bins (240 -360 l): €70, bins (1,100 l): €300. Communication campaign depends on the actions planned. A benchmark value would be €3-€5/inhabitant. The practice doesn't generate much direct income but improves the waste collection performance.
Evidence of success
After the first month of implementation, the results achieved were 75% selective waste collection in the area where the mobile platforms were installed (Old Town). Of the total waste collected during the first month of the initiative:
- 25% (15,860 kg) was non-separated waste
- 75% (63,440 kg) was selectively collected waste: 5,900 kg of light packaging, 24,740 kg of organic, 7,740 kg of paper and cardboard and 9,460 kg of glass, the remaining other types of waste (15,600 kg).
- 25% (15,860 kg) was non-separated waste
- 75% (63,440 kg) was selectively collected waste: 5,900 kg of light packaging, 24,740 kg of organic, 7,740 kg of paper and cardboard and 9,460 kg of glass, the remaining other types of waste (15,600 kg).
Potential for learning or transfer
In general, there were few incidents and the system has been welcomed by both local residents and shopkeepers. However, at times the fixed bins on the periphery (Urban Area) overflowed and a small number of users did not separate their waste properly. For these reasons, this system requires regular information/awareness-raising campaigns, as well as supervision by the Environmental Units of the Local Police.
Given that the bins are removed from the public thoroughfare during the day, there is more space on public streets and waste does nit spill out of fixed bins, as can happen in the Urban Area. The visual impact is reduced because the bins are removed. More users have access to a selective waste collection system (impact on the percentage of selectively collected waste). It is a flexible system which is adaptable to local needs at any given time (tourist season, local festivals, etc.). Little impact is expected in terms of air and noise pollution due to the use of e-vehicles
Given that the bins are removed from the public thoroughfare during the day, there is more space on public streets and waste does nit spill out of fixed bins, as can happen in the Urban Area. The visual impact is reduced because the bins are removed. More users have access to a selective waste collection system (impact on the percentage of selectively collected waste). It is a flexible system which is adaptable to local needs at any given time (tourist season, local festivals, etc.). Little impact is expected in terms of air and noise pollution due to the use of e-vehicles
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Palma City Council
Spain
Illes Balears
Contact
Project Manager