Sydney trials underground communal rubbish chutes

A trial of underground communal rubbish chutes in a Sydney inner-city suburb has replaced an unsightly, cluttered bin bay with new recycling and waste chutes linked to an underground storage system.

The system, installed in Royston Street, Darlinghurst, is helping put an end to illegal dumping and unhygienic spills while providing a better waste experience for Darlinghurst residents.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said underground waste was a space-saving solution for high-density living that has significantly improved amenity and accessibility for local residents.

“This state-of-the-art waste system is a practical way to reduce clutter and beautify inner-city streets,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Previously, residents in this small street battled with an overcrowded bin bay that attracted dumped rubbish from non-residents and quickly became an eyesore.

“Underground waste systems have been used in other cities round the world and are proven to be an effective means of managing waste in high-density areas with limited bin space.

“This new approach means City of Sydney staff can use hydraulic lifts to raise the bins onto the roadway for emptying. This will also enable quieter and more efficient collections.”

A bin bay was built on a traffic island in the middle of Royston Street cul-de-sac during the 1980s for apartment residents to store their wheelie bins. More bins were later added for recycling. Over time the bay became overcrowded and unhygienic and has since attracted illegal dumping.

Around 22 standard-size 240 L wheelie bins in Royston Street have now been replaced with large 1100 L underground bins.

Three bins are available for general waste and two for recycling, with an option to change the mix depending on the amount of rubbish and recycling required. Designated recycling and general waste will lead to the underground bins.