With pneumatic waste collection citys can be designed with nature, sustainability, and clean energy in mind

Stationary Pneumatic Waste Collection System

Offering safer, cleaner, more intuitive, and sustainable solutions for urban waste collection improves the environment and people’s well-being. This system is well-suited for large urban areas, residential complexes, and commercial districts.

Today, the people living on only two percent of the world’s landmass in the city are responsible for most of the world’s carbon emissions and energy consumption. With rapidly increasing global urbanisation, the pressure on our climate and resources will only get worse unless we act.

Envac’s pneumatic waste collection systems provides a fully automated waste collection solution designed for urban environments, residential communities, and commercial areas. By transporting waste through a sealed underground pipe network, this system eliminates the need for traditional bin collection, reducing noise, emissions, and traffic congestion. It offers a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable approach to modern waste management.

Integrated part of the urban infrastructure

With the automated waste collection system, waste management becomes an integrated part of urban infrastructure, much like water, sewage, or any other essential city service. As the demand for recycling and zero-waste solutions grows, so too does the need for waste rooms, recycling stations, and frequent waste collection, along with the associated collection vehicle routes.

In contrast, Envac’s waste inlets are automatically emptied, transporting waste through underground pipes and out of the area. This eliminates the need for large bins inside and outside buildings, reducing reliance on traditional collection routes. The freed-up space can be repurposed for green areas, pedestrian walkways, cycle lanes, or even small businesses such as bike repair shops.

Navigating the EAP platform on a computer - automated waste collection

Real-time, data-driven, decision making

Unlike traditional city waste collection, which lacks data-driven efficiency, Envac’s automated waste collection system intelligently adapts to an area’s needs. Equipped with sensors that monitor fill levels in real-time, the system ensures waste is collected only when necessary, preventing overflow and reducing unnecessary collections. This optimised approach not only conserves resources but also improves overall operational efficiency. Additionally, municipalities can leverage data insights to improve system performance and implement more targeted recycling initiatives, promoting a smarter and more sustainable urban environment.

How pneumatic waste collection works

Envac’s automatic waste collection systems handle waste and recyclables from households, businesses, and public spaces. Users deposit waste into indoor or outdoor inlets, where it is stored in sealed chutes until the system activates automatically. Vacuum airflow then transports the waste through underground pipes to a central collection station, saving space, reducing truck routes, and lowering carbon emissions and noise. Explore the solution in an urban environment below, or experience it in other environments in Envac City.

Waste disposals point Air inlet valve Waste inlet Outdoor disposal point Vertical storage chute Pipes Litterbins Waste collection station Containers Fans Air outlet Cyclone Diverter valve Available 24/7/365

Other areas

Waste disposals point

The indoor waste disposals points can be placed on each floor or in the entrance hall.

Air inlet valve

The Air inlet valve let transport air into the system at signal from the control system.

Waste inlet

The waste inlets are connected to an underground pipe network that transports the bags from the inlets to the waste collection station.

Outdoor disposal point

The inlets, one for each type of waste/reclables, are placed close to the building for comfort. The easier it is to dispose of sorted waste, the more will be sorted.

The sealed system removes foul smell and can be placed close to residential buildings, making littering a thing of the past. Our system reduces waste collection traffic and the noise, emissions and pollution associated with it by up to 90%, making city life greener, cleaner and more sustainable.

Vertical storage chute

This is where the bags are stored until the chute is reaching full level. Sensors in the chute send a signal to the waste collection station and an emptying circle is started.

Powerful fans, in the station, create an airflow in the pipes. Transport air is let into the system.

Pipes

The bags are transported to the collection station at 70 kph.

Litterbins

Self-emptying litterbins can be connected to the system.

Waste collection station

The waste collection station is located as far away as possible from the apartments, ideally close to a main road.

With Envac there is no longer need for trucks to drive up to each building to collect household waste, it is collected at the terminal building only.

The area becomes less noisy, the street environment safer and the air cleaner.

Containers

When a container is full, it is detached from the compactor and loaded onto a truck for transport to the recycling center, where it is emptied and returned.

Fans

Powerful fans generate the necessary airflow in the pipes to transport the waste to the terminal.

Air outlet

The transport air is filtered before release, making it cleaner than when it first entered the system.

Cyclone

In the cyclone, the transport air is separated from the bags, allowing the bags to slide toward the compactor under the combined effect of the cyclone’s and gravity.

When the waste reaches the compactor from the cyclone, a vertical tray pushes it into the container to make the most of its capacity.

Diverter valve

Once the waste reaches the terminal, it is directed to its corresponding cyclone through the diversifying valve. So, each type of waste will reach the container for its fraction.

Available 24/7/365

The resilient system is part of the smart city’s infrastructure and available 24/7/365.

Other areas

Less traffic, less emissions

A comparison between the Envac pneumatic waste collection system and traditional waste handling.
Based on a simulation by Sweco, Sweden.

Comparison of truck routes and stops in a city: automatic waste handling vs. traditional collection — With Envac automated waste collection system

Stationary Pneumatic Waste Collection System

The automated waste collection system improves the attractiveness and efficiency of residential or commercial spaces and promotes sustainable practices that enrich the user experience. Whether you’re addressing waste management challenges in bustling urban areas or facilities like hospitals, airports, hotels, and offices, we are here to help you transform your space to suit your unique requirements.

More Green Space with automated waste collection

Cities

The Envac’s vacuum system system enables residents to benefit from cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing urban environments while also improving safety by minimising manual handling of waste materials. This innovative approach allows cities and regions to optimise their waste management operations, mitigate the risks associated with traditional kerbside collection methods, and substantially reduce transport emissions.

Hospital with pneumatic waste collection

Healthcare

Envac’s automated waste collection system minimises the transmission of infections, reduces manual handling, and fosters a cleaner and safer environment for both patients and staff. By employing distinct, sealed pipe networks, materials can be swiftly transported without the necessity for trolleys or carts. This innovative approach boosts operational efficiency and contributes to improved hygiene standards within healthcare settings.

Airport at night with pneumatic waste collection

Airports

With the Envac pneumatic waste collection system, waste management can be efficiently conducted within terminal buildings, airport kitchens, and from incoming flights to in-flight catering. This enhances the user experience while minimising manual waste handling and associated costs, helping airports meet their recycling and sustainability objectives.

Related projects

Our innovative automated waste collection system helps shape smart and sustainable cities. By reducing emissions and providing clean, green and sanitary waste inlets for both residents and commercial actors, we want to improve the quality-of-life in the city.

Cities Lund, Sweden

Brunnshög

Brunnshög offers four waste fractions via pneumatic waste collection, with the aim that no more than 50 metres is needed to reach a waste inlet from the entrances. In addition, there is property-close collection within approximately 200–300 metres of each property.

Cities New Jersey, USA

Summit Plaza Apartments

Summit Plaza, situated in Jersey City, stands as New Jersey’s largest privately-owned Section 8 housing complex, accommodating over 1,200 individuals. This includes vulnerable populations such as long-term residents, elderly and disabled individuals, and families with more than five members, as defined by HUD. The Envac automated waste removal system was installed in 1972 and is still operating reliably today, effortlessly removing residential waste over fifty years later.

Cities Konza, Kenya, Africa

Konza Technopolis, Kenya, Africa

Konza Technopolis is one of Africa’s most ambitious smart city projects, leveraging technology to address urban challenges. By integrating Envac’s pneumatic waste collection system, the city is setting a new standard for clean, efficient, and sustainable urban living.

FAQ - Automated waste collection system

What is the Envac Automatic Waste Collection System?

Envac’s Automatic Waste Collection System, or AWCS, is a pneumatic waste collection system that transports waste through an underground pipe network using vacuum technology. Users deposit waste into inlets, and the waste is moved to a central collection terminal where it is compacted and stored for onward collection.

Who uses Automatic/Pneumatic waste collection system?

Envac systems are used by households, mixed-use developments, offices, retail users, restaurants, hospitals, airports, public spaces, and commercial operators.

What makes Envac different from traditional waste collection and automated waste collection system?

Unlike conventional waste collection, Envac removes routine manual bin collection from the serviced area. Waste is transported underground to a central terminal, reducing truck traffic, improving hygiene, reducing odour and pests, and freeing up above-ground space.

Can high-rise buildings use Envac?

Yes. Envac has installed high-rise systems in Asia and other regions, including South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai. The systems have been installed in buildings up to 100 stories.

Can Envac be installed in existing buildings?

Yes. Envac can be installed in existing developments, often through outdoor inlets or by connecting existing waste chutes to the pipe system, where technically feasible.

What types of waste can Envac handle?

Envac systems can handle ordinary household waste, recyclables, organic waste, selected commercial waste, and specialised healthcare streams, depending on the project design.

How does Envac support sustainable cities?

Envac reduces the need for waste collection trucks in serviced areas, improves hygiene, reduces odour and pests, supports source separation, and frees above-ground space for more liveable urban environments.

How much does an Envac pnumatic waste collection system cost?

Costs vary by project scope, geography, ground conditions, number of fractions, terminal design, density, and whether the project is a new build or a retrofit. Payback time on average is 5 to 6 years, depending on the application, density, alternative collection costs, and the value of the released space.

How does Envac work in hospitals?

In hospitals, Envac’s automated waste collection system can transport general waste, kitchen waste, soiled linen, and infectious waste from load stations on each floor through sealed pipes to a central collection point. This reduces manual handling by carts or trolleys and supports improved hygiene.

How does automated waste collection system work at airports?

At airports, Envac can collect waste from strategically placed inlets in terminal buildings and outdoor areas, transporting waste through underground pipes to a central collection station.

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