In 1990, several different waste collection systems were introduced, such as paper and food waste, to be collected separately. This meant an increased number of rubbish bins and transports in Tromsø. As the municipality, situated in the northern part of Norway, has a large geographical collection area with lots of snow in
the winter and roads that are difficult for large vehicles, waste collection became a problem. Tromsø started to look for an alternative where all fractions could be collected in one single bin. The choice fell on Envac’s pneumatic waste collection system combined with optical sorting.
The main reason for choosing optical sorting was all household waste could be collected in one single bin. The municipality could keep its waste collection vehicles and minimise as well as streamline transport.
The plant, sorting five fractions is run by Remiks Husholdning AS. The plants is combined with a pneumatic waste collection system.
15.000 tons/year
food, plastics, paper, newspaper and residual waste
78.000
Sorting Ljungby, Sweden
In Ljungby and Alvesta, more than 27,000 households now sort their waste into colour-coded bags, which are processed at a modern optical sorting facility. Food waste is converted into biogas and biofertiliser, while the other fractions are recycled for a more sustainable society. The aim is also to increase recycling and make it easy for residents to sort correctly at source.
In Aalborg, around 224,000 residents sort their waste into coloured bags, which are processed at Denmark’s first optical sorting facility. The solution makes things easier for households and more cost-effective for the municipality, while also reducing environmental impact. Aalborg is the first municipality in Denmark to implement this solution, and the hope is that the project will become a model for other Danish municipalities.
Sorting Biostoom Beringen, Belgium
The Limburg Optimo Sorting Facility, launched in 2022, serves 32 municipalities and over 300,000 households. It currently sorts five waste fractions: food waste, garden waste, textile waste, residual waste, and plastic/metal packaging. The facility is built to be flexible, with the option to add two more fractions in the future.