8 tons/day
designed collection capacity
Karla Tower
Karla Tower – the tallest building in the Nordics – chooses a smart waste collection system from Envac to easily solve waste management and avoid heavy waste collection traffic. By integrating this innovative solution, the tower enhances sustainability and improves urban liveability for its residents.
- Location
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Client
- Serneke/Fastighets AB Balder
- Segment
- Cities
About Karla Tower
The Karla Tower at Lindholmen, Gothenburg, has created waves in the real estate industry for its innovative and sustainable design and not least because it is now the tallest building in the Nordics and the first part of the new district of Karla Town, which will consist of a total of eight blocks with housing, offices, trade and services.
The tower has installed a waste collection system from Envac to handle both residual and food waste, which is seamlessly integrated into the existing waste collection system in Lindholmen. In addition to its innovative waste system, Karla Tower is also a marvel of technology and design with its 246 metres tall and 74 floors. The building has a unique shape with a twisting waist and a facade of glass and concrete.
The first commissioning of the pneumatic waste collection system in Karla Tower took place in August 2023.
Envac’s smart waste collection system is a modern and efficient way of handling waste that eliminates the need for waste bins and collection trucks. Instead, the waste is collected through underground pipes to a central location, where it can be further sorted and recycled. The system aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, minimise the number of waste collection trucks on the streets and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The initiator of the construction of the tower is Ola Serneke, today the project is run by Serneke with Fastighets AB Balder as co-owner. The tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
In addition to 4 condominium associations, Karla Tower will also house a sky bar, library, offices, hotel, spa, terrace, cooling rooms and much more.
2 waste fractions
food waste and residual
74 floors
with waste inlet doors for residual waste on every floor
230 m2 saved space
compared to using traditional waste bins on each floor
Karla Tower serves as a remarkable illustration of what can be accomplished when sustainability and innovation are combined in urban development projects. Its win in the “World in Property Award” is a testament to its excellence, and we eagerly anticipate the prospect of witnessing more such projects in the future.
Joakim Karlsson President and CEO Envac Group
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The World in Property Award
The Karla Tower sets a new standard for future buildings and is a shining example of what is possible when we embrace innovation and creativity.
Thanks to this and its innovative waste management, Karla Tower won the “World in Property Award” at the Fastighetsgala on 7 February 2024. This nationwide award recognises companies or projects that have influenced the Swedish property market.
The Karla Town District
The Karla Tower is part of the new Karla Town district in Lindholmen, Gothenburg. Here, restaurant streets, creative offices, two thousand new homes, hotels, exciting shops, cultural scenes, smooth service, and much more are emerging. When the project is finished, approximately 2,000 apartments will have been added to Gothenburg’s new district.
The project with Karla Town began back in 2004 when Serneke made the first property acquisition here.
In addition to the Karla Tower, the first stage consists of several projects, including an underground garage, a media project and hotel and office properties.
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