SmartCom Technologies at the Hearth of the Solution

The main problem for waste managers is that each container has to be emptied differently. Indeed, a trash can placed on a large avenue will be used to throw cans and tissues and will be operational all day. On the contrary, a container located in an alley a few steps away and used by a restaurant to throw away their leftover food will be full in just one evening. Another difficulty is to identify the strategic places where to put the trash cans, in order to prevent the containers from being full to the brim in residential areas and systematically empty in secondary streets.

We Drive the IoT Applications

Data-driven IoT and AI applications can solve these problems. By placing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) beacons and internet-connected ultrasonic sensors inside bins, it is possible to collect data on location, fill level, temperature and even type of waste in each bin, and then transmit it to data analysis platforms in the cloud. The data is then processed to extract the most relevant information, such as the most strategic location, type and size for containers, as well as the most efficient waste collection routes, frequency and load of vehicles. . The data can also be used to automate sorting, compaction and vacuum collection, or even to personalize waste invoicing and to issue vouchers according to the type of waste and its weights).

Smart Solutions to Big Problems

Apply these smart solutions: Are you still a little puzzled? To help you see more clearly, let's take a few examples of municipalities around the world. In recent years, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and other cities in the United States have introduced solar-powered smart trash cans, equipped with internet-connected sensors and a trash compactor. As soon as the garbage reaches a certain level, the sensors activate the compactor, resulting in eight times the capacity. In addition, they alert collection services when the bins need to be emptied.

The Huge Impact
Whatever the reason, the benefits in terms of public health, urban sanitation, quality of life and environmental and economic sustainability are undeniable. By optimizing the routes and frequency of garbage collection, waste managers can reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions, decrease noise pollution and traffic, and limit employee exposure to garbage. By emptying trash cans before they overflow, they keep streets clean and discourage illegal dumping, preventing water and land poisoning, reducing the presence of vermin and the spread of disease. Smart bins can be adapted to other functions. For example, they can serve as a Wi-Fi access point, information panels or simply urban decoration. Thus, smart waste management makes a concrete contribution to several SDGs, including Clean water and sanitation, Sustainable cities and communities, Responsible consumption and production and Industry, innovation and infrastructure.