Waste management

Worldwide, population growth, expanding cities and changing lifestyles are increasing demand on scarce resources. This puts us all under pressure to do more with less.

Arup helps clients address the pressures of how to reuse, recycle or recover resources from waste, creating commercial opportunities that promote healthier communities and environments.

We combine our global experience with knowledge of local markets, across waste, water and energy. From our worldwide network of experts, we create integrated teams that can carry out plans from concept to operation, bringing interconnected insight into rapidly changing technology, markets, planning standards and legislation. We help clients understand and minimise the risk associated with their waste strategies and programmes.

Smarter solutions

Arup’s technical and commercial skill helps clients understand how new and developing ideas can proof their waste strategies against future change.

By applying our know-how to the masterplanning of the Heart of Doha, we developed a sustainable vision to improve quality of life. There, our waste management strategy included smart collection and underground treatment facilities, for efficient waste management with a minimal impact on residents and the environment.

For the Rubbish In – Resources Out report, Arup compiled data on global waste treatment providers across anaerobic digestion, conventional and advanced thermal treatment and other technologies. The report explores design ideas for blending treatment facilities into urban surroundings and highlights opportunities to treat waste close to source within densely populated cities.

From idea to operation

We don’t just look to the future; Arup provides practical advice, helping clients improve their waste management programmes today.

Commissioned by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), Arup planned for the sustainable management of almost one million tonnes of municipal solid waste. NLWA serves a population of 1.7m people and must address growing demand for waste treatment services that achieve value for money, while meeting national recycling and landfill diversion and targets. We worked with NLWA to select sites for new waste handling and treatment facilities, prepare planning applications, and procure a private finance initiative (PFI) waste service contract.