Bergen op Zoom
Increased waste flows; fewer containers
Because of the increasing volume of waste, the town of Bergen op Zoom was looking to increase capacity but without new above-ground containers being installed.
Increasing volumes of plastic were being collected. In fact, this was too much for above-ground containers alone, so below-the-ground solutions had to be sought. Sidcon’s Presstation provided such a solution. In the meantime, 7 Presstations have now been installed in Bergen op Zoom.
More capacity
Lower transport costs
Fewer containers
Beautiful cityscape
‘It was immediately apparent that we wanted underground containers. Whilst it was clear we had to increase capacity, we didn’t want more containers at street level,’ explains Maarten Versluis, policy adviser for the Bergen op Zoom municipality. Sidcon sprung to mind, not least because of its track record in other towns and cities. ‘We heard good reports about the Presstation in the market’ Despite the fact that it was still a relatively new product in 2012, it had successfully been put through its paces. That was a key criterion for us. These positive experiences weighed more heavily than the price, we believed. Whilst the latter was perhaps higher, we would ultimately recoup the extra costs, not least because there is next to no maintenance required and, of course, containers need to be emptied less frequently due to their larger capacity.’
‘Cleaner and tidier’
Now, over 5 years later, Bergen op Zoom is home to seven Presstations. In the main, waste recycling stations are located close to supermarkets and/or shopping centres where there are used intensively. So the extra capacity offered by the Presstation comes in extremely handy. Versluis points to an old photograph of a waste recycling centre when it only had above-ground containers. ‘For just one of the new Presstations, we needed ten of the old orange above-ground containers. Now it looks so much cleaner and tidier on account of the fact that everything – even the non-plastci containers – is underground.’
Taken off with the pass
When it acquired its Presstations, Bergen op Zoom chose to have them fitted with a wider opening, suitable for bags of up to 55 litres. Although this larger opening is safe enough, it was decided to raise the bar even higher and work with a pass system, so that residents can only open the container using the pass. Was it something they had to get used to? Versluis acknowledges this, but has never viewed it as a major obstacle. ‘People had to get accustomed to the idea that there was only one pass per household. If one member of the household takes off with the pass, no one else can use the Presstation. Now, nobody knows any different and the benefits are clear to see. The fact that there’s less rubbish in the proximity of the containers is a big plus.’
Versluis has some clear advice for other municipalities: ‘Always opt for underground containers. It creates more space, reduces litter around the containers and the Presstation needs to be emptied less. We’re more than satisfied.’
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