Canterbury's latest sustainable engineering innovation, the Hardox® bins, is making waves in waste management.
Constructed from heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant steel, these new bins are now a common sight on trucks heading to the Kate Valley landfill.
These bins are notable for their construction from 3mm metal plates, which are 25% thinner and lighter than the previous 4mm versions.
This reduction in material thickness doesn't compromise their durability, allowing them to handle extremely heavy loads efficiently.
The increased capacity of these bins means that trucks will need to make 6% fewer trips to Kate Valley, resulting in an estimated CO2e savings of 2.29 tonnes in 2024. Over a 15-year lifespan, each set of bins is expected to save approximately 8.2 tonnes of CO2.
Supplier BJ Scarlett Ltd has also contributed to this innovation by developing a special jig for horizontal welding and painting, simplifying the manufacturing process for this specialized steel. This jig allows for both horizontal and vertical welding, making the task easier for the team at Scarlett.
Future plans include using these bins as mobile billboards to promote WM New Zealand's sustainability story, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Special thanks to Stephanie Huet, Hayden Leach, Kelvin Head, and Greg Slaughter for their contributions to this project.