Capital to go hi-tech in waste disposal by July

One of the world’s most advanced technologies to collect domestic waste with automated underground bins sending data to a central database will be operational in July in the Capital.

The project’s execution began early last year with the installation of the first electro-hydraulic underground waste collection unit in the centre of the city.

The e-waste collecting project is being carried out by the Centre of Waste Management, Abu Dhabi, in collaboration of other authorities concerned.

The prime objective of the system, according to a source involved in the project, is to collect data on the amount of garbage produced on daily basis in addition to keep the city clean and its image improved by eliminating odours, scavengers and litter around collection points. During the initial phase of the project, over 400 of these smart waste bins will be operational across the city, replacing the existing containers in the open by the end of this year.

“So far, we have installed 115 of these underground waste collecting units in the city. They will be operational, say, before July 4. Now we are in the process of concluding a contract with a supply company partner, and once that is done these units go into operation,” said the source.

These new 20 cubic-metre containers with a larger capacity are designed with a technology that send e-messages to the centre when they are about to be filled.

The electronic message is sent when the containers are 75 per cent filled so specially-designed trucks are immediately sent to empty them before they are filled up to their mouths.

Another feature of the unit is its upper or the only visible part made of steel receiving waste. It has a scanner to swipe a smart card to open its lid.

Under the system, all the residential and commercial building managements and villa owners will be provided with these smart cards to help them dump waste generated in their premises.

“These cards are for the data gathering purpose — how much a particular building generates waste on daily basis.”

According to another source close to the project, the entire system has been designed to help the city generate waste in a cleaner and healthier environment where there is no bad smell or litter scattered around.

This, he added, also reduces costs involved in managing the city waste with a huge number of trucks going around the city to collect waste from hundreds of small bins.

He further said that in future, there will be a call centre allowing residents to ask for a truck to collect sizeable wastes like unwanted furniture or electronic goods like a fridge that cannot be dumped in these smart underground bins. There also might be a charge for the collecting of these big-size wastes.

The call centre and the trucks collecting wastes like furniture and electronic goods will also have a system to record data. This would be great source for direct separation and recycling of waste.

Currently the city and its suburbs have hundreds of covered bins surrounded by scattered furniture, carpets and big electronic appliances.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE