The Royal Danish Theatre

A flexible solution with respect for the architecture

The Royal Danish Theatre today consists of the Old Stage, the Opera House, and the Playhouse. The theatre’s history spans more than 250 years and has undergone its greatest transformation in recent decades.

In January 2005, the Opera House designed by Henning Larsen opened, and in 2008 the Playhouse on Kvæsthusbroen was completed, designed by Boje Lundgaard and Lene Tranberg. The Old Stage still resides at Kongens Nytorv in its iconic building, inaugurated in 1874.

The Challenge

Legislation and aesthetics had to be united

In addition to the legal requirement for waste sorting in all public institutions, waste sorting also became part of the Royal Danish Theatre’s green strategy. This required a solution that could ensure efficient and consistent operation of the waste bins while aesthetically fitting into the interior design across the three locations.

The Royal Danish Theatre also wanted a solution that could meet the needs of employees in their daily routines as well as the needs of audiences during events and performances.

"We wanted the waste solution to become a natural element of the interior without compromising flexibility and functionality."

Kim Fridbjørg, Chief Architect, The Royal Danish Theatre

Elegant and timeless waste sorting for the Copenhagen Opera House

The Opera House is an extraordinary building with its own unique architectural expression. It required a tailored solution.

The white‑painted waste solution was designed to blend naturally into the Opera House’s interior without drawing unnecessary attention.

The Solution

The Royal Danish Theatre received a solution that matched all needs

After a thorough market assessment, the Royal Danish Theatre chose to implement Bica waste solutions. The solution consisted of 2‑ and 3‑fraction modules in black and white with matching black/white pictograms.

Flexibility was a crucial factor to accommodate the varying needs at each location. There was also a particular focus on cleaning and service staff, who would handle the waste daily. The choice of white‑lacquered waste sorting for the Opera House was made to aesthetically complement the architecture and blend naturally into the interior.