The Sotkon underground waste container storage system outlined in the recent WMW Transport and Collection Special was the subject of considerable interest at the recent Futuresource event - both among local authority delegates and independent waste collection contractors looking to offer an enhanced level of service to their corporate customers located in congested inner-city office sites.
Produced in Portugal, the key advantage of the system is that it enables existing rear loading refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) to be used after a switch to underground installations has been made. All that is required is the fitment of a body roof-mounted hydraulic crane of 1.8tonnes lift capacity to hook the 3-cubic metre Sotkon containers out of their underground pre-cast concrete 'silos' and slewed in line with the existing trade-type container binlifter equipment fitted to the hopper.
The actual lift sequence is therefore the same and this has the advantage that, unlike some competitive underground systems, the same RCV can collect both conventional wheeled waste containers and those of the Sotkon system. "We see this as a major advantage not only in the current economic climate, but where it is necessary to offer a range of collection methods, as it avoids different vehicles having to be specified," explained Nigel Mottershead, MD of Sotkon UK.
Underground waste container silos cab be located out the front of corporate offices in public areas, thus freeing-up hard to reach utility areas and courtyards, for other uses. "This is one of the features that has been the subject of most interest as we've calculated that the additional car parking spaces created by moving containers underground can pay back (as a result of external parking space rental saved) the silo installation costs in three to four years," he explained. "And in effect, that means the environmental enhancements and increased efficiency come as a free bonus," he adds.
While current Sotkon containers are produced in rubberised plastic with side fork/spigot location, it is understood that 'comb' and 'diamond' container location options are possible, alongside lockable or key card access 'receptors' to avoid vandalism.
More info from www.sotkon.com
