Norway Invites New York to Explore its New Waste Disposal System

With regards to "New York's garbage mess stinks" (March 21), consider what is taking place in the beautiful city of Bergen. The second-largest city in Norway, with approximately a quarter of a million inhabitants, it is the main port of call for tourists who wish to visit the fjords, the mountains and the rugged nature which can be easily reached from the city center.

Eight years ago, Bergen decided that a waste disposal system based on an underground vacuum network called The Bossnett, (“boss” is the local word for garbage, and “nett” = net) was to be introduced to the city center. This entailed laying a network of large underground pipes throughout the city center. It would also result in periodic disruption for motorists and pedestrians. Nevertheless, the work started a few years ago after Bergen appointed our company (BIR Nett AS) to build and operate the system. Today, the first part of the system is already in use and fully operative.