The installation of new submerged bins in populous areas of Athens is expected to be completed by April. This project began as a pilot programme in 2004 by Athens' Municipality and is now finally going to be implemented formally. The first bin was installed a few days ago in Agios Thomas Square in the Goudi area.

?he installation of a submerged bin is expected over the next few days in the Ilisia area and 20 more will follow.

The first bin was installed in Goudi in order to discharge the area from the great amounts of rubbish that was created mainly by the two hospitals, which are located there.

In the immediate future there will be new bins in the following districts: Pagrati, the corner of Mesogion and Vasilisis Sofias, the corner of Papada and Andersen, Koumoundourou Square, in the three cemeteries of the city, in Kriezotou Street in the Kolonaki area and others.

Each bin has a capacity of 12 to 20 cubic metres, as it has a system that compresses the rubbish and thereby can replace 45 conventional bins. Some of the bins that are going to be installed will be even larger, and could replace almost 70 conventional ones.

The capacity of the bins depends on the type of rubbish and the way that it is placed into the trash bags."The municipality will demonstrate to the citizens how they ought to throw away their trash and encourage them to compress it as much as they can," states the deputy mayor in charge of sanitation and adds, "These bins won't be used for recyclable materials."

The garbage disposal of the new bins will be scheduled for every second day. Some bins' installations will be delayed because of the many archaeological findings, which come to light during the excavations.

The submerged bins have been used for several years in many European cities and are considered a great success, as thanks to their design, they combine cleanliness, saving on disposal space and at the same time there are no unpleasant smells as these bins are washed every second day.

The submerged bins are financed under NSRF (National Strategic Reference Framework) and the total cost will amount to about 2.6 millions euros.

How do these bins work?

The submerged bin in Goudi is at a depth of three and a half metres and on the surface there is an opening funnel into which people can throw the trash.

The bin is monitored via a telematics system, which informs the sanitation service when it is full. This system will help the collection of statistical information and at the same time the bins will have their own alarm system, to avoid vandalism.

Are there submerged bins in the city you live? Do you find them practical?

The original article, published in Greek, can be found here.

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