Old can also be new

At Envac we have been building underground waste transport systems since the 1960s, hence our experience in planning, implementing and operating this unique type of system. Our installations run smoothly year in, year out. They don’t attract much attention nor make many problems.

Nevertheless, in this issue of Envac Concept we will describe some fine examples of how the value of these older vacuum systems can be increased, value that not only consists of reducing running costs and increasing environmental benefits, but also considers the people working on the installations. As one such example shows, that of Roosevelt Island in New York, installations which were modern several decades ago can still draw attention and be perceived as pioneering.

The same engineering sustainability and adaptability are exemplified at Villa Olímpica in Barcelona in Spain. This was an installation, which was originally built for the Olympic Village in the early 1990s, has been expanded in stages and is almost four times larger than when originally planned. The functioning of the system has also been expanded with the collection of several waste fractions.

The installations at Valdelasfuentes outside Madrid and Costa Ballena in the Province of Cadiz are also good examples of how vacuum systems can be developed, modernised and made more efficient.

The Swedish counterparts from Eriksberg in Gothenburg and Annestad in Malmö are producing considerable cost savings and much added value through the installation of modern technology in older systems. We hope these examples will act as an inspiration not only for the building of new vacuum waste systems but also for the upgrading and modernising of older systems.

Finally, I would recommend a visit to www.envacconcept.com, the new website of the magazine.. Welcome to submit questions and comments on the articles.

November 2010

Jonas Törnblom
Editor-in-chief