What Types of “Stubborn Waste” Are Hardest for Street Sweepers to Clean?
With rapid urbanization and economic growth, the volume and complexity of waste on urban streets are increasing significantly. Many types of waste have become “stubborn,” making them difficult for conventional street sweepers to handle effectively.
1. Fine Dust (PM10, PM2.5) – The Most Dangerous Invisible Threat
Fine dust is considered the most challenging type of waste:
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Extremely small particle size
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Easily suspended in the air
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Difficult to capture using traditional sweeping systems
Main sources include:
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Traffic emissions
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Construction activities
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Industrial operations
Key issue:
Traditional sweepers may not fully capture fine dust and can even re-release it into the air, worsening air pollution.
2. Large and Bulky Waste
Examples include:
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Plastic bottles, nylon bags
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Tree branches, leaves
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Construction debris
Challenges:
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Easily clog suction systems
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Require strong mechanical collection instead of vacuum
3. Sticky Waste (Wet Leaves, Organic Residue)
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Wet leaves (especially small leaves like tamarind or flamboyant leaves)
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Mud, organic waste
Challenges:
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Strong adhesion to road surfaces
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Difficult to remove with standard brushes
4. Sand, Gravel, and Heavy Debris
Common in:
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Highways and industrial roads
Challenges:
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Heavy weight
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Difficult for vacuum-only systems
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Causes equipment wear
5. Mixed Waste in Urban Areas
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Household waste
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Plastic, metal, organic waste mixed together
Challenges:
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Non-uniform size and composition
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Difficult to optimize cleaning with a single technology
Modern Solution: Mechanical + Vacuum Sweeping Technology
Advanced sweepers (e.g., Dulevo) solve these issues by combining:
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70% mechanical sweeping (brush + conveyor) → large waste
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30% vacuum suction → fine dust
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Advanced filtration (e.g., Gore-Tex) → captures PM10 & PM2.5
Result:
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No dust re-emission
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Efficient multi-type waste collection
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Higher performance than traditional sweepers