PWS History
At the leading edge since the launch in 1984
The first container revolutionized the waste industry
On June 1, 1984, the first PWS container was launched in Malmö, attracting significant media attention. Perstorp Form collaborated with Malmö municipality, a garbage truck manufacturer, and the Swedish Renewable Association for two years to develop this revolutionary waste system. The container’s unique design was unlike anything else in the Nordic region or Europe, resulting in a series of durable plastic waste containers that made paper bags obsolete. The PWS container’s square shape improved weight distribution, and larger wheels made it easier to move. Heavier containers featured an ergonomic footstep for easier tilting during transport.
From waste to resource
Initially, waste was considered unwanted, simply collected and piled up. Today, waste is seen as a valuable resource. PWS develops products for efficient waste management, making recycling easy and convenient. Over the years, PWS has contributed to transforming the concept of waste into something recyclable and reusable, adding significant value.
This shift has led to a diverse product range, including the UWS underground system and Quattro Select waste system, alongside well-designed public furniture and litter bins. PWS continually innovates to meet market needs through in-house production and close customer collaboration.
Knowledge and experience
Since its successful inception, PWS has delivered over six million containers across Nordic municipalities, from southern Sweden to northern Norway. This extensive reach has provided the company with substantial experience and knowledge in adapting products to Nordic conditions and the demanding climate.
Today, PWS focuses primarily on the Nordic countries, employing twenty-five staff mainly in sales and customer support. The extensive distribution of containers across the Nordic region has enhanced PWS’s expertise in creating products suited for harsh climates.
ESE since 1934
PWS became part of ESE World in 1997, gaining access to over 80 years of expertise in manufacturing, developing, and selling waste containers across Europe. ESE’s history embodies development, tradition, and enduring customer loyalty, with waste management and collection systems remaining its core business. In 1934, six brothers founded OTTO in Kreuztal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and began producing steel containers. OTTO recognized early on that improving the waste management process was crucial, leading to expertise in processing that continues today in ESE’s and PWS’s wide range of products and services.
In 1950, Willi Otto developed an innovative lifting mechanism for waste containers. By 1964, the first circular plastic containers, ranging from 35 to 110 liters, were introduced. In 1972, the classic 2-wheel 240-liter waste container, known as the DIN comb pickup, was launched and became a world standard.
During the 1980s and 1990s, OTTO invested in liquid injection molding machines and expanded its product range to include multipurpose containers capable of collecting two different waste fractions.
The early 2000s saw the introduction of the first underground and semi-underground systems, and additional investments doubled the production capacity for 4-wheeled containers.
In 2011, OTTO was rebranded as ESE World, and in 2013, the Rheinwerk brand was integrated under the ESE name.