From dust to waste
If we can vacuum dust from every corner of the hospital using a single system, why can’t we apply the same principle to waste management?” This was the vision of the founders of Envac, who believed that the possibilities are endless with innovation. As a pioneer in this field, Envac has led the way with extensive research and development efforts.
The origins of a pivotal question for the future of waste management remain ambiguous. However, the identities of the four individuals gathered around a table at Sollefteå Hospital in Sweden in the late 1950s are clear. They were Torsten Karefelt, an engineer responsible for the hospital’s technical operations; chief architect Olle Genberg; Sten Olsson, a consultant for heating and plumbing; and Olof H. Hallström, the owner and managing director of Centralsug, now Envac.
Their meeting initially focused on discussing a new central vacuum system for the hospital, but then the conversation took an unexpected turn. “If we can vacuum the dust from every corner of the hospital using a single system, why not apply the same concept to waste?” This innovative idea had never been considered before, and its feasibility was uncertain. Nevertheless, Olof H. Hallström and the team embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.
In 1961, Centralsug, now known as Envac, launched the world’s first vacuum waste system at Sollefteå Hospital in Sweden. This system is still operational and contains many original components from the early 1960s. Since that initial installation, Envac has established itself as the leading provider of automated waste collection systems (AWCS), with 1200 installations currently in operation across six continents.
Dust vacuum systems have played a vital role in the company’s success. After several attempts and developments, the groundbreaking technology finally gained traction when Fastighets AB Förvaltaren, a municipality-owned housing company in Sundbyberg, Sweden, took a bold step to implement it. This led to the launch of the world’s first vacuum system for household waste in 1967 in the innovative residential district of Ör-Hallonbergen. Remarkably, this pioneering system is still operating successfully today.
In the years that followed, Centralsug embraced a new chapter by rebranding as Envac, marking a new era in their journey.
Take a look in the rear mirror to see what we have achieved during six decades with our “sopsug” as the Envac system is called in Swedish – and see what we are bringing you in the nearest future.
A warm and major thank you to everyone single one involved during our 60 first years!
Official birthday: October 4, 1961