Business feasibility study for the national 'Out and About' Recycling and Litter Initiative

1. Executive summary

2. Introduction

3. Background to the Initiative

4. Market and competitive environment

5. Financial drivers

6. Business case options

7. Financial assessment

8. Facility needs analysis

9. Management and governance

10. Environmental analysis

11. Risk analysis

12. Bin design requirements

Appendix I: Cranleigh's terms of reference

Appendix II: New Zealand and international advertising bins

12. Bin design requirements

12.1 Bin design

The design for the Out and About bins was based upon a design developed by Glomedia, although we have been advised that Coca Cola Amatil also provided design input to the development of the bins during the initial phase of the trial.

We are aware that the Ministry for the Environment plans to commission a project to develop a robust design for the bins once the trial has been completed. Cranleigh has been asked to address any design issues, if they arise, in developing the business case for this Initiative. A number of bin design issues have been identified and are listed below.

• Consideration should be given to a 'duel component' bin. This would involve several recycling receptacles on one side of the bin and a general rubbish opening on the other. The main reason given for this idea is that it would allow a single collector to empty both sides at the same time, thereby reducing collection costs.
• OSH issues need to be fully understood and considered in selecting the final bin design(s). For example, if the bins are to be emptied by hand, then total capacity should be limited to reduce the weight. At present, the maximum weight should be 20 kg per bin, but new OSH standards may see this reduced to 15 kg.
• A number of stakeholders suggested that the illumination of the advertising panels is not essential and in most cases the panels have not been illuminated during the trial. A non-illuminated space would reduce the capital and ongoing cost of the bins, particularly as the batteries are expensive to replace.
• In order to reduce the cost of collecting the recyclables from the bins they should be designed to be mechanically lifted. The most cost-efficient method of rubbish bin emptying in the industry is the use of front end loaders; the second most cost-efficient method is the use of mechanical one-armed bandits that enable one driver in a truck to service as many as 500 bins in one day.
• Streetsmart recommend that plastic liners be used in preference to plastic bags because they are cheaper in the long term (the estimated cost is $50 per liner and they should last up to 10 years). It is noted that liners will need to be regularly washed to prevent odour and hygiene issues developing.
• A stainless steel body would probably be most suitable for the bins because of the material's strength, long term resistance to wear and corrosion (especially in outdoor settings), aesthetic appeal and ease of cleaning.
• Recycling bins should ideally be constructed to last 10 years, although for modelling purposes we have used a nominated life of five years. Designing for a 10-year life expectancy would significantly reduce long term capital expenditure, increasing the Initiative's profitability.
• The bins must complement existing street rubbish bins, particularly as there is a lot of commercial and recyclable material currently disposed of in on-street bins.
• Streetsmart suggested that the trial bin size is the absolute maximum, noting it is not child friendly (in that they are too tall) and a more ergonomic design may improve their utilisation.
• Depending on levels of foot traffic and packaging waste deposited at different sites, more than one size of bin may be appropriate.
• The internal capacity of bins used in the trial is thought to be too small, as there was considerable unused space within the frame of the bins and in some instances excess waste led to overflow of the bins, creating a litter problem.
• The bins need to have larger holes, although design should also take into account that the bins can smell if not cleaned frequently. A design featuring swinging cover lid over the waste holes may mitigate this problem somewhat.
• In periods of high winds, the lid on the trial model bins could be lifted off, scattering refuse. The final design should be stable enough to prevent the bin blowing open in blustery weather. Making the bin lids lockable would reduce litter through wind dispersion.