Melbourne’s laneways are an iconic part of the city’s aesthetic, so developing a waste solution that removed unsightly bins from these popular spaces was critical.
The businesses in and around Melbourne’s CBD laneways – such as high traffic restaurants – produce large volumes of waste, so an effective and elegant solution to waste management was needed.
Aside from the unsightly nature of the bins, the waste was causing additional problems such as odour and anti-social behaviour which needed to be addressed.
The latest addition to City of Melbourne’s garbage compactor and recycling hub program features a shared use mini compactor, which gathers the waste of multiple businesses. Businesses that make use of this solution take their waste to the compactor, tap a card to record their usage and are charged appropriately.
The co-designed mini compactors can hold 15 bins worth of waste in one unit, drastically reducing the number of bins in the laneways and storing the waste effectively until it can be transported away.
This reduction has helped to beautify Melbourne’s laneways, supporting local businesses and maintaining the appeal of these popular and iconic public spaces.
Uniting in innovation
The development of the new solution was a team effort that brought together multiple parties. City of Melbourne created a project team with services provider Citywide, electric vehicle provider Baumann Sideloaders and specialist waste engineers Wastech Engineering to develop this solution.
City of Melbourne and Wastech Engineering co-designed a solution which ingeniously solved several technical challenges which arose throughout the process. The result is an innovative masterpiece of miniaturisation. The dimensions of the mini compactor are such that it takes up less space than a single carpark, measuring approximately 3.5m by 1.2m. Fully loaded it weighs less than 4,000kg.
The mini-compactor has a 5:1 compaction ratio using an auger, a tamperproof interface and loading hatch.
As a finishing touch, City of Melbourne commissioned artist Michelle Pereira to create a stunning piece of art which reflects the diverse and vibrant culture of Melbourne’s inner city.
To service the mini-compactor, Citywide turned to the world’s leading manufacturer of sideloading forklifts, Baumann Sideloaders, and asked them to come up with a solution that could navigate the narrow laneways, transport the mini compactor, and, if possible, assist with emptying the compactor back at the transfer station.
The model selected was Baumann’s all electric EGX, which not only has the required dimensions and lift capacity, but also has twin drive motors, making it suitable for covering the transit distance back and forth to the Citywide Resource and Recovery Centre and Waste Transfer Station in West Melbourne.
Baumann also fitted the unit with a Cascade Fork Rotator, which meant easy emptying of the mini compactor, without the need for a separate tilt table.
Since service began in May 2024, the Baumann has travelled over 1,500km in six months, and has proved both nimble and durable.
Visibility is excellent, and the ability of the operator to lift and place the mini compactor without exiting the cab enhances safety, while the zero emissions electric drive has exceeded expectations, delivering full run times every night and only needing charging twice a week.
The project commenced with a goal of enhancing and beautifying the laneways, and after six months, it’s a resounding success.
To learn more, visit baumann-sideloaders.com.au
