Sustainability assessment of waste vacuum systems as a collection solution

Efficient urban waste collection requires solutions that balance environmental performance, economic feasibility and social acceptability while minimizing spatial and ecological impacts. This study assesses the sustainability of vacuum waste collection systems in comparison with underground containers and indoor bins, using data from approximately 2500 households in a Norwegian city. Four waste fractions: plastic, residual and paper/cardboard were analysed across two scenarios: a fully vacuum-based system for all households, and a hybrid solution combining underground containers for 1500 households with indoor bins for 1000. The evaluation integrates three sustainability dimensions: climate impact through life cycle assessment, economic performance through lifecycle cost analysis and social aspects through qualitative assessment. Findings reveal that vacuum systems achieve the lowest climate impact, although the differences between systems are modest. For vacuum systems, emissions are dominated by the construction of pipe networks and terminal facilities; for underground containers, by the number of units and for indoor bins, by transport and operational activities. Economically, vacuum systems incur 22% higher costs than the hybrid solution. However, economies of scale are evident: increasing connected households from 2500 to 3100 reduces costs by 14%, positioning vacuum systems more competitively. Socially, vacuum systems offer notable benefits, including reduced odour and noise, improved traffic safety and decreased physical strain on personnel. Overall, the study concludes that waste collection solutions must be tailored to site-specific conditions but highlights the scalability and social advantages of vacuum systems, which may render them a viable option for sustainable urban waste management when integrated with commercial streams.