Four smart waste management solutions revolutionizing the industry

#The emergence of “intelligence” has been integrated into all aspects of sustainable development, including smart garbage collection technology. With the rapid adoption and innovation of smart waste management technologies, waste collection systems have evolved into greener and more efficient systems. Prominent technology integrations include robotics, sensor technology, and more. Local governments are also continuing to use smart solutions to prevent the planet from becoming a waste kingdom.

So, when everything around us becomes "smart," why not leverage modern technology to solve some of the most pressing environmental problems, such as developing smart solid waste management systems?

The earth is slowly turning into a kingdom of garbage, with so much garbage produced every day. Today, the world generates 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, and this number is expected to grow to 3.4 billion tons by 2050. By comparison, this is more than twice the expected population growth over the same period.

Today, in most countries, solid waste management operations are primarily the responsibility of local governments, with nearly 70% of countries having agencies that handle policy development and regulatory oversight of the waste collection sector.

When so much waste needs to be managed by governments and local authorities, intelligence plays an important role in streamlining the process.

The “smart” trend has been revolutionizing the way we live our lives for quite some time. We're experiencing it in smart cities, self-driving cars, and even the innovative little smartphones we love so much.

Conventional waste management becomes ineffective

Several metropolitan areas are adopting green initiatives and sustainable solutions. By leveraging technology and innovation to improve existing systems, cities are becoming smarter, more resource-efficient and more resource-conserving.

The waste collection system urgently needs to upgrade the traditional inefficient management process.

Most garbage collection systems in use today are manual and perform unnecessary or delayed pickups. Unnecessary pickups can increase annual collection costs by 70%. In addition, frequent congestion on routes, often caused by poor route planning, also increases the amount of gasoline consumed for collection. The entire process increases the carbon footprint by 50%.

These problems can be easily solved by using Internet of Things (IoT) waste management technology to help plan more efficient garbage truck routes. IoT sensor technology can be used to assess whether it is necessary to empty the trash can. Its flexible approach to waste management benefits residents, businesses and organizations alike.

Smart cities now use modern waste management and collection methods. In line with this idea, IoT technology is increasingly being adopted by the waste management industry. Asset scanning has been deployed as an efficiency measure in smart technology applications such as waste data collection, real-time camera surveillance, shopping cart chip/sensor technology and fleet logistics optimization.

Globally, more and more waste management organizations are also implementing the use of Industrial IoT systems to track vehicles, waste, drivers and customers to improve various aspects of such essential services provided. aspect.

The result of several unique solutions integrated here is intelligent garbage collection technology. Smart waste management is a broad term that applies to any system or application that uses the technology to improve waste management. This means smart waste management enabled by technology is more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly than the traditional methods we have been using.

Innovative technologies as catalysts for smart waste collection technology

Today, multiple technologies are driving smart waste management. Smart waste collection technology is adapting to the modern needs of smart cities and developing urban landscapes.

Some of the technologies mentioned below are being implemented across the globe to have a positive impact in saving the environment and preventing our planet from turning into a garbage kingdom.

1. Smart Trash Cans

Smart trash can technology uses artificial intelligence to redirect waste efficiently and cheaply, with minimal manpower and minimal traffic congestion. Smart bins can be manufactured by combining multiple technologies such as Artificial Intelligence for the Internet of Things (AIoT), Computer Vision, Robotics, RFID Tags, Near Field Communication (NFC), Sensors, Wireless Sensor Networks, Compactors, Actuators, Smart monitoring systems and dashboards.

Now, businesses have direct visibility into their recycling materials thanks to the integration of smart trash cans – TrashBot – with real-time monitoring dashboards. Thanks to monitoring instructions, custodians can streamline their workflow and spend less time checking bins. The smart bin analytics platform enables units to conduct waste audits, evaluate diversion rates and estimate possible cost savings. Therefore, by using smart bins, users can maximize the recycling potential of their recyclable items.

Occasionally, when people let things go, they forget to sort their trash into the appropriate trash or recycling bins. Polish company Bin-e has invented a smart trash can that automatically separates recyclables into several compartments through object recognition based on artificial intelligence to eliminate incorrect recycling classifications. After sorting, the garbage is compressed and the system monitors the fullness of each bin.

Smart bins eliminate human error from the initial sorting process, speeding up and simplifying material handling at recycling facilities. This can significantly increase worker productivity and reduce waste management expenses by up to 63%.

2. Sorting garbage with artificial intelligence

Louisville, Colorado-based Amp Robotics is developing equipment and software that uses image analysis to sort recyclables with accuracy and recycling The rate is much higher than traditional systems.

Bulk Handling Systems, Machinex and Tomra, among others, are making similar efforts to automate recycling processes using artificial intelligence and robots. Currently, hundreds of waste sorting facilities around the world use this technology. Expanding their use will reduce waste and benefit the environment by preventing recyclables from ending up in landfills and making them easier to reprocess and reuse.

The waste management sector relies heavily on artificial intelligence, and more and more waste facilities are turning to this technology to improve operational efficiency. Items can be identified based on their composition and category, for example, by using AI computer vision to scan mixed recyclables.

The entire sorting and picking process in waste treatment plants can be automated through artificial intelligence combined with robotic sorting equipment. Once an AI system uses computer vision to detect materials, robotic sorting equipment will quickly and efficiently separate recyclables into single material streams.

Today, Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) can precisely identify a wide range of materials thanks to Recycleye Vision, a breakthrough technology that separates mixed recycling into 28 separate categories.

For example, using AI plastic sorting, recyclable plastics can be sorted based on the type of plastic they are made from, as well as the color and shape of the plastic. Once the recyclables are collected and sorted, the recyclables (individual recyclable products) will be in a separate material stream. The pieces are then compressed and compacted into cubes using a recycling baler for easier storage and transportation. A wire baler can also be used to strap each cube, ensuring it retains its shape and preventing things from slipping out.

Any waste processing facility requires a baler because it is the final stage in preparing materials for transport to a reprocessing plant. It is critical to use a baler to compact all recyclable materials as much as possible, as reducing the size of recyclable materials can significantly reduce shipping costs.

3. Garbage sorting robot

In 2009, San Francisco passed an ordinance requiring all residents and businesses to sort their garbage into recyclables, compostables and landfill waste. Making it the first city in the United States to mandate composting. Today, the city diverts about 80 percent of its waste from landfills each year and has one of the highest recycling rates in the United States.

San Francisco has been at the forefront of the zero-waste movement, achieving this goal in part through a partnership with waste collection company Recology, which spent $20 million to modernize its facilities and A squadron of robotic sorters were deployed to efficiently and accurately sort recyclable items.

4. Waste Level Sensor

The waste level sensor enables users to instantly see each How full their bins are, allowing them to plan ahead and take data-driven actions. Waste collectors can, with the help of a real-time monitoring platform, schedule collections and focus only on where the bins are filled.

The cost of waste management can be very expensive for local governments. Garbage collection is sometimes the largest single budget item for communities in less affluent countries. Additionally, waste management costs are rising globally, which has a particularly negative impact on low-income areas.

When used in conjunction with a fill level monitoring platform, waste level sensors solve financial problems by reducing waste collection bills by up to 50%. With fewer collections, less money is available for driver time, fuel and truck maintenance.

In the worst-case scenario, the lack of effective waste collection exposes an expanding population to an environment that becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, insects and rodents. This environment also promotes the development of air- and water-borne diseases. It is, at a minimum, an eyesore and a public nuisance, especially in large urban areas that rely heavily on tourists to fund municipal services.

Waste level sensors and real-time fill level data collected through monitoring platforms can significantly prevent waste overflows by alerting operators to such situations in advance.

Final Thoughts

The secret to developing smart waste management services that work now and into the future lies in integrating data-driven strategies into the way we manage waste.

Smart waste collection technology is the first step towards maximizing resource utilization and integrating more sustainable procedures into waste services. With sensors, digital platforms, smart routing and container monitoring, we have all the solutions you need to improve your waste management system.

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