Design Innovation: February 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

More bins for the Underground: Litter Management in the underground

Excerpts from article

One of the difficulties in increasing the number of bins on the Tube network is that litter bins at Tube stations are subject to strict security controls. The only bin designs which are used are clear plastic bags suspended from plastic hoops, and they are always carefully positioned with security.

In addition, London Underground has been working hard to boost its recycling rates, and has established a new system where all of the rubbish placed in any of the stations bins is sorted in order to recycle as much of the waste as possible. A recent audit shows that 70% of waste left on the Tube network is recycled through this new waste management strategy.

The extra bins are the next phase of the Mayor's plans to tackle litter and improve quality of life in the capital. He made the announcement at a City Hall litter event which bought together a range of organisations involved in litter prevention and in cleaning up in the city.

In addition a chewing gum summit was hosted earlier this year bringing together manufacturers, innovators and boroughs earlier this year to help address the issue of chewing gum rubbish. The Mayor is also planning to engage with tobacco manufacturers on finding ways to better tackle the problem of smoking related litter.

The Mayor has pledged to work with key organisations and Londoners to reduce litter in the capital in the run up to the 2012 Games.

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(Courtesy Olga)