Smart solutions for the cities of the future
Contact us

+46104952495

Waste sorting in public spaces

Make it easy to sort waste properly in parks, town squares, transit centers, and entrance areas. EWF Eco helps municipalities, property owners, and businesses choose sorting stations, waste receptacles, and signage based on the types of waste at each location and how the collection process should work.

Easy to Sort Correctly

Clear instructions, symbols, and labeling help visitors choose the right bin.

Capacity Based on Need

Adjust the number of bins and their capacity based on the type of waste and how the space is used.

Carefully Designed for Emptying

Plan the location and access so that the station is convenient for the person who will empty it.

Visitors leave a bottle at a recycling station with three labeled bins along a park path.
A Cleaner Area Around the Trash Can

Recycling stations that fit the location

A recycling station brings together several clearly labeled containers in one place. Visitors can dispose of items such as plastic packaging, paper packaging, and general waste in separate bins, rather than putting everything in the same trash can.

The station needs to be adapted to how the facility is used. Base the design on the waste that is actually generated, the applicable collection requirements, and how the materials will be handled after emptying.

Choose the right recycling bins and waste categories

A waste stream is a type of waste that is collected separately, such as plastic packaging or metal packaging. Which waste streams should be available at a recycling center depends on the site’s conditions and applicable requirements.

Also plan how residual waste will be managed and assess whether separate collection of returnable containers is necessary.

Start with three questions:

What do visitors throw away?

Identify the types of packaging and other waste present.

How much is generated?

Assess both normal traffic and traffic spikes during weekends, events, and peak season.

How is the material handled?

Plan separate collection and further handling in consultation with the person responsible for the waste.

Clear drop-off points and signage make sorting easier

Visitors should be able to quickly understand where to place their waste. Therefore, combine clear waste category names with symbols, colors, and waste receptacles that are appropriate for the items to be collected.

Use consistent labeling throughout the facility. When the same type of waste is recognizable across different locations, the sorting process becomes easier to understand. Avfall Sverige’s standardized signage system is one option for consistent labeling.

Place the information where the choice is made, near the drop-off point. Also adjust the size, contrast, and placement so that the signage is clearly visible in the given environment.

A sign with the text "Energy Recovery" and three white arrows.
Sign for plastic packaging featuring symbols of a bag and a bottle.
Sign for paper packaging featuring a white cardboard symbol.
Sign for metal packaging featuring a symbol of a can.
Sign for uncolored glass containers featuring a white bottle icon.
Sign for colored glass containers featuring a white outline of a bottle.
From Placement to Emptying

Outdoor Waste Sorting

A recycling station should be easy to find, reach, and use. Place the stations based on where people spend time and where waste is generated, while ensuring that they are easily accessible and can be emptied.

Four marked “ Bigbelly ” containers are lined up in a green space in Höör.

In parks and at swimming areas

In parks and at swimming areas, capacity must be planned with weather, season, and peak visitor times in mind. Picnic areas and food service facilities are examples of places to consider.

Three blue " Bigbelly" bins with sorting signs in downtown Borgholm.

In town squares and city centers

In town squares and city centers, waste sorting needs to be integrated with retail, dining areas, events, and pedestrian walkways.
Six " Bigbelly" bins with marked openings are located along the station facade at Odenplan.

At the travel center and entrances

At the travel center and entrances, the options need to be clear even to those passing by quickly. Plan the space to accommodate both use and maintenance.

Choose a solution based on how you want to work

Vira – Modular Waste Sorting System

Vira can be used as a standalone unit or combined to form a sorting station. Each module has a capacity of approximately 100 liters. Adjust the number of modules, openings, and labeling according to the waste categories to be collected.

The bag is replaced through the front door using a fold-out bag holder.

Vira sorting station with four modules and separate openings for different waste categories.

Bigbelly Element – without electronics

Bigbelly The units collect waste without sensors or compaction. Multiple units can be combined into a single station with separate openings and labeling for different types of waste.

An option when scheduled inspections and emptying fit the organization's workflow.

Dark gray Bigbelly Element Chute with a closed feed opening and front door.

Online Bigbelly

Connected models display fill levels in CLEAN and provide staff with information to help them prioritize emptying. Smart Max features compaction, while Bigbelly Smart collects waste without compaction.

The model and function are selected for each fraction based on the material and subsequent processing.

Dark gray Bigbelly Smart Max with a closed loading hatch, a solar panel on top, and a foot pedal.

Capacity and Emptying Based on Need

Different types of waste fill their containers at different rates. Adjust the capacity for each type of waste so that the station remains operational between emptying cycles.

Ensure that staff have access to doors, bags, or inner containers. Also, plan how the waste fractions will be kept separate during collection and transport.

Connected stations provide information on fill levels to assist with emptying. Also monitor improper sorting, litter around the station, and the amount of work required for collection. Use the results to adjust labeling, placement, and capacity.

Filling data shows how the containers are used. The quality of the material must be checked separately.

A black trash can with a symbol of a person standing next to it.
Standard
Recycling bin with purple markings and symbols for a bag and a bottle.
Plastic packaging
Throw-in with ochre-colored markings and a cardboard symbol.
Paper packaging
A trash can with gray markings and a symbol of a can.
Metal Packaging
A black circle with three white arrows inside it.
Energy Recovery
Recycling bin with a green label and a white bottle icon.
Assorted Glassware
Rules Effective January 1, 2026

Rules for Recycling in Public Places

Starting January 1, 2026, municipalities must collect packaging waste separately at certain public squares, in parks, and at other popular locations.

For public squares and parks, this obligation applies when all three conditions are met:

  • The site is larger than 2,000 square meters.
  • The municipality is responsible for waste management at the site.
  • Significant amounts of packaging waste are generated.

There, the collection includes paper and cardboard packaging, plastic, metal, and colored and clear glass.

In other popular locations, requirements for the collection of plastic packaging apply when the municipality is responsible for waste management and significant amounts of plastic packaging are generated. Even smaller parks and public squares may be subject to these requirements.

Sorting station with two " Bigbelly" units at Tisvildeleje Beach in Gribskov
Waste Sorting in Practice – Gribskov

Waste Sorting Along the Beach Promenade

Along the Tisvildeleje beach and at the pier in Gribskov, “ Bigbelly ” are used both as individual bins and as sorting stations. This customer example illustrates how waste management can be organized in a visitor environment where the volume of waste varies with the season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recycling Stations

Start by determining which waste streams need to be collected and how much of each type of waste is generated. The number of containers also needs to be adjusted based on available space, emptying procedures, and any collection requirements.

Base your decision on the actual amount of waste generated, applicable requirements, and how the material will be handled after collection. Then, work with the person responsible for waste management to determine the number of bins, access points, and labeling.

It depends on the existing models, their condition, and the types of waste to be collected. We’ll help you determine which units can be kept and how the station can be upgraded.

No. Vira and Bigbelly Element are offline options. The online Bigbelly models provide fill level data to support emptying planning. The choice depends on how you want to handle inspection and monitoring.

The price depends on the number of containers, models, loading openings, labeling, and any optional features. Installation, connection, and service may also affect the overall cost. Tell us about the location and your needs, and we’ll help you develop a proposed solution and a quote.

Compression must be assessed on a case-by-case basis for each material and collection chain. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency recommends that glass containers not be compressed during collection and that metal containers not be compressed excessively. Check the conditions with the receiving waste management operator.

Monitor both the usage and the contents of the bins. Check for improper sorting, fill levels, the need for emptying, and litter around the station. Use the results to adjust labeling, placement, and capacity. Fill-level data shows how the bins are being used, while the quality of the materials needs to be checked separately.

Plan waste sorting for your locations

Would you like to implement recycling, add to existing collection stations, or improve the collection process? Tell us about the environment, the types of waste generated, and how collection works today.

We'll help you choose the recycling bins, capacity, openings, and labeling that best suit your visitors and daily operations.

Solution Brochure on Smart Trash Cans

Fill out the form, and we'll send the brochure to your email address.