AUT UniLodge Te Āhuru is a mixed use development containing 697 self-catered student apartments across two towers. North and South Towers will house 12 levels of student accommodation each. The lower levels comprise of The AUT Podium with fitness centre, basketball court, retail and hospitality spaces and other student services. Located in Auckland CBD, on the corner of Mayoral Drive and Wakefield Street, positioned at the centre of the AUT City Campus.

MacDonald Industries were commissioned to install the rubbish and recycling chute at the UniLodge Te Āhuru building. MacDonald Industries installed the Wilkinson Chute combined with the Wilkinson Bi-Sorter and JD MacDonald Rotobin Rubbish Compactor making it the first time these two products have been installed together in New Zealand. With such high density living, the combination of these two units addressed the recycling program as well as an efficient and cost effective way to get rubbish to the collection area.

Wilkinson Bi-Sorter — Waste and Recycling System

The Bi-Sorter system allows waste and recycling to be efficiently and hygienically separated and collected into different wheelie bins with only one chute in multi-storey buildings. Rubbish chutes are the best way to consolidate waste and recyclables from around the building into a single location for easier collection in the building basement.

The Bi-Sorter can be installed with an interlock system where the user must first select rubbish or recycling then other users on other floors are locked out while rubbish or recycling is deposited into the chute.

JD MacDonald Rotobin — Bin Carousel and Compactor

Rotobin is a cost effective, fully automated unit specifically designed for the collection and compaction of rubbish within high-density multi-storey buildings like UniLodge Te Āhuru. Working on a rotation basis, as each bin fills, the compactor base automatically rotates positioning an empty bin under the chute when required. Rotobin Bin Carousel fits four 1100L MacDonald Industries Wheelie Bins and offers a compaction ratio of up to 2:1.

MacDonald Industries technical consultants worked very closely with ICON Construction on this custom chute build, providing expert knowledge in the design, manufacture and installation as well as ongoing support and training in the operation to UniLodge Te Āhuru staff. MacDonald Industries have installed many custom chutes in New Zealand over the last over 45 years and are committed to providing the best solution for the needs of each building.