Envac is proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its pneumatic waste collection system on Roosevelt Island, New York — a landmark project that has been in continuous operation since 1975. This milestone marks half a century of reliable, sustainable performance and highlights Envac’s long-standing expertise in automated waste collection systems.
A legacy of innovation and resilience in urban waste collection
When Roosevelt Island engaged Envac in the early 1970s, the goal was to create a cleaner, more efficient waste management solution for the island’s 14,000 residents. By replacing traditional truck-based collection with a sealed, underground pneumatic network, Roosevelt Island became one of the first communities in North America to implement this forward-thinking approach.
The system spans nearly three miles of buried pipe across the island’s residential zone and has the capacity to handle about 2,555 tonnes of waste each year. Over five decades, it has provided uninterrupted service—even through major weather events such as the 2010 snowstorms, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and other extreme conditions that have disrupted conventional collection elsewhere. The enclosed, automated design keeps operations running regardless of weather and protects waste from exposure, which has virtually eliminated problems with pests and odours on the island.
Decades of experience, global impact
Envac’s roots trace back to Sweden in the early 1960s, when the company introduced the world’s first vacuum waste collection system at Sollefteå Hospital in 1961. Just a few years later, the concept was successfully applied to a residential area in Sundbyberg, setting the stage for global adoption.
Today, Envac’s systems operate in over 1,200 locations worldwide, serving high-rise residential and mixed-use developments, hospitals, airports, commercial districts, and entire city networks. Each installation builds on decades of innovation and experience, helping cities reduce truck traffic, improve public hygiene, and move closer to circular waste systems.
Celebrating a legacy project
The Roosevelt Island system has not only delivered environmental and operational benefits since day one, but also serves as a living example of infrastructure built to last. The system continues to evolve with upgrades that enhance efficiency and reduce energy use, ensuring the installation remains as forward-thinking today as it was in 1975.
Beyond its technical endurance, the system’s resilience and cleanliness have become part of daily life on Roosevelt Island. With waste fully contained from the moment it leaves a building chute, residents enjoy a community free from overflowing bins, pests, and collection noise — a rare achievement in dense urban environments.
“Fifty years ago, Roosevelt Island made a bold decision to embrace automated waste collection—and it’s still paying off today. The system has stood strong through decades of change and every kind of weather imaginable, continuing to deliver clean, quiet, and pest-free waste management for the community. It’s a true testament to the vision of the island and the reliability of Envac’s technology.”
Tom Embley, Regional President, Envac North America
About Envac
Founded in the early 1960s, Envac pioneered pneumatic waste collection and continues to lead the way in designing smarter, cleaner waste management systems worldwide. With more than 60 years of experience, Envac helps cities and organisations meet their sustainability goals through innovation, reliability, and long-term service partnerships.
To learn more about Envac’s solutions and how automated waste collection can transform communities, contact us today!
