Cork, a bustling Irish city, has been navigating the challenges of rapid growth and urbanisation. The pressure on public services, particularly waste management, has been palpable.
Adding to this complexity, Cork introduced a Clean Air Zone in 2022 to promote environmental sustainability. To align with this initiative and tackle waste-related challenges, Cork City Council chose to partner with Future Street.
Project Highlights
28 % Reduction in street clutter.
The number of litter bin collections. This text needs filling in still….
224 % Higher peak litter capacity.
EN840 Compliant Lift Bin, effortlessly compatible with loaders, simplifying collection and enhancing efficiency.
75 % Fewer collections.
EN840 Compliant Lift Bin, effortlessly compatible with loaders, simplifying collection and enhancing efficiency.
Reduced plastic bag usage.
EN840 Compliant Lift Bin, effortlessly compatible with loaders, simplifying collection and enhancing efficiency.
Objectives
- Clean Air Zone Compliance
With the Clean Air Zone rolled out in 2022, the Council wanted to contribute by reducing vehicles and emissions in the city centre. - Overflow Prevention
A key objective was to reduce the likelihood of bin overflows in the city centre. - Digital Transition
Cork City Council wanted to modernise their waste management system by moving to a digital smart system. - Efficient Resource Utilisation
A major goal was to use resources more efficiently while simultaneously improving the quality of public services.
Our Solution
Our implementation plan was separated into three distinct phases.
Phase 1
Removed 72 traditional litter bins and installed 54 Bigbelly Smart Max solar compactors.
Phase 2
Further escalated the transition by removing an additional 32 old bins, replacing them with 19 Bigbelly Smart Max solar compactors & 1 Bigbelly Element “Pizza Belly” bin.
Phase 3
Finalised the roll-out by removing 14 more bins and installing 10 Bigbelly Smart Max solar compactors.
This phased approach allowed us to continually assess the impact of our solutions, make adjustments as needed, and ensure that the bins were installed in the most critical areas first. Our collaboration with the city council was marked by continuous communication, data-driven
adjustments, and community-focused decision making.
Results
A city transformed, with state-of-the-art waste management solutions.
Collection Efficiency
The number of necessary collections was reduced by at least 75%, contributing to fewer vehicles and emissions in the city centre.
Resident Feedback
The community has welcomed the change with open arms. The Bigbelly units received rave reviews for their user-friendly design, local branding, and visual appeal.
Increased Participation
The overall usage of litter bins has increased, indicating higher public engagement in responsible waste management.
Plastic Reduction
An astounding 80% reduction in single-use plastics was recorded due to the need to use less bin liners.
Future Street and Cork City Council’s collaborative effort demonstrates that with a strategic approach, modern technology, and community involvement, urban living can be significantly improved while still being kind to our planet.
Client Thoughts
“We couldn’t be happier with the outcomes from our Bigbelly rollout. Partnering with Future Street has been a positive experience, elevating our service quality, optimising our resources, and enhancing the city’s appeal for both residents and visitors.”
John Keane – Executive Engineer, Cork City Council
Project Gallery
Unlock Sustainability.
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