Smaller fractions, different logistics = Van Happen Containers

 Overview

Company Description

Van Happen Containers is an Eindhoven based company which collects waste for several companies and institutes within the largest part of the Netherlands. Head office in Eindhoven and two subsidiaries in Moerdijk (near Rotterdam) and Panningen (near Venlo). Collection is done by means of wheely bins, semi-undergound containers, skips and ro-ro containers.  With over 45000 bins and 17000 customers we process 650000 orders per year

Project Description

Due to the circular ambitions within Europe and the Netherlands, mixed waste is sorted at the source. Consequence is that fractions become smaller and more various. The waste is processed not only in volume scaled operations but also at a small scale, rather niches, such as orange peels or coffee cups. Customers have smaller quantities per skip but have to have more and smaller bins to sort waste at their own site. If this trend continues, our wheely bins, semi-underground containers and bulk containers are not appropriate.

Goals of the Project

Separating waste – while commonly assumed to be environmentally friendly – potentially increases emissions of van Happen containers, since the company must collect different types of waste separately which may add emissions. In this master thesis, a qualified student determines (i) if wheely bins should be replaced (and with what), and (ii) how the operations shall be adapted and reoptimized to satisfy customer requirements as well as public policy. In line with this project’s journey, a qualified student starts by analyzing practical challenges in collecting smaller absolute amounts and a larger number of different items. The final goal of the thesis is to reduce annual CO2 emissions per cubic meter of waste while considering operating cost

Deliverables

• Research on which waste stream could be collected per origin. (now and in the near future)

• What kind of packaging is suitable, is this modular and can it be bought or made especially for this purpose?

• Develop a supply chain (maybe in collaboration with others) for servicing of customers and a price per collection.

Essential Student Knowledge 

End-to-end supply chain, marketing, finance

Additional examples:

Seenons                                             
https://seenons.com/en/home/

Nespresso return programme             https://www.nespresso.com/nl/nl/recycle-actie

Peel Pioneers                                     
https://peelpioneers.nl/

More information: escf@tue.nl