Waste and recycling solutions use IoT enable sensors to monitor container locations and levels and optimise collection schedules and routes.

A smart waste collection solution allows shippers to service containers only when needed, reduce operating costs, optimise routes and save fuel and time. Waste management is always something that needs to be improved. For one, it’s better for the environment. But there are also many business benefits to implementing smart waste solutions. The more efficiently you can manage your waste, the less money you will spend on disposal and the more time you will save on logistics. You may even be able to use your unused space in a better way than before. Waste management has come a long way since landfills. With new technologies like the NB-IoT, it has never been easier to optimise your company’s efficiency and reduce costs by implementing smart solutions that meet your needs specifically.

What is IoT enabled waste management?

Waste management has changed a lot in the last few years. The IoT plays a pivotal role in enhancing smart city applications through real-time monitoring and management of city processes. One of the challenges that smart city applications can solve is solid waste disposal. It has a great impact on our society’s health and the environment. Solid waste is produced by households and is typically discarded as useless. 

The traditional waste management process begins with the waste produced by the city’s inhabitants and the waste in the trash can of origin. According to the set schedule, the municipal truck collects the garbage and transports it to the recycling center. Municipalities and businesses are having a hard time keeping up with outdoor trash cans and deciding when they need cleaning or are full. One of the most pressing issues of our time is the prevention, tracking, and disposal of this waste. 

The traditional method of simply emptying every waste container is a time-consuming process that requires more labor, time, and resources.

With new technologies like the NB-IoT, it has never been easier to optimize efficiency and reduce costs by implementing smart solutions that meet your specific needs.

How it works?

Waste collection solutions work by using sensors to measure container levels, temperatures, tilts, and weights. When the container is full, the company will receive a warning and the container will be added to the next route. This way, the collection company only empties full containers rather than half-empty ones. Saving fuel and time.

In the case of an IoT waste bin, when a user deposits waste into the container, the sensor inside will sense the level rising. It can either use ultrasonic sensors, time-of-flight laser sensors, or open and close statistics.

Ultrasonic Sensors

Ultrasonic sensors send a beam down into the container, and by catching the echo, they can measure the waste level in the container. This is a useful method for large-sized containers as it requires more minimum depth to measure the level. Small bins on a sidewalk are not well suited for this type of sensor.

Laser sensor

A time-of-flight laser sensor works by sending a laser beam down into the container and measuring the time it takes for the laser to return to the sensor. This is an accurate way of measuring the level of even smaller containers. The only downside to this type of sensor is that it requires the sensor to stay clean. If there’s dirt in front of the laser, the results will not be accurate.

Sensors that open and close

Depending on the type of container, simply measuring the number of times the container is opened could give a good indication of the fill level. In particular, underground containers that upon opening can only take in a certain amount of waste can be suitable for this type of sensor.

These sensors can communicate with the waste management application thanks to narrowband IoT. It allows the device to have a small footprint and send the often tiny data packets efficiently. Since there is no power supply near a container, the energy efficiency of a narrowband sensor makes it an ideal option for waste management sensors.

Since some container types store their waste underground, the deep penetration ability of narrowband IoT It helps connect sensors even inside underground metal containers.

Value proposition of Narrowband in waste management

The data collected from your bins can be used by cities to get a better understanding of waste produced in urban environments. Helping to forecast and expect trends. For example, keeping track of the effectiveness of new recycling programs. You can also use data from your bin to see how many times someone has accessed the bin and if they have been using it appropriately. This will allow you to adjust your strategy accordingly and improve efficiency in the future.

Narrowband is an innovative connectivity option for communicating with waste management sensors.

Narrowband IoT provides a low bandwidth of fewer than 1 Mbit/s. The low bandwidth uses less power, which is critical for battery-operated devices. Ideal for battery-powered waste management sensors. Now waste management sensors can collect data for years on end without needing more charging or battery changes.

Narrowband IoT is supported by mobile network operators, which provide excellent coverage without having to deploy and manage your network. Which allows cities to deploy smart solutions like waste management quickly.

Benefits

Here are three ways that Narrowband can help with efficient waste management:

Route optimization: By transforming the data from the NB-IoT waste management sensors, route optimization can be achieved. By knowing exactly what waste bins are full, better pickup routes can be scheduled. Avoiding routes that are busy or wasting time on emptying empty bins.

Litter: Emptying the bins and containers on time can avoid litter around them. Saving time on cleaning up while maintaining a better quality of life for all citizens is a good idea. While preventing rodents from appearing and needing to be controlled,

Policy and enforcement: Measuring the effectiveness of waste collection points throughout a city can help define policies. If certain waste collection points are always full, policymakers can decide to add more capacity where needed.

Besides making the policy, having real-time insights on waste collections helps enforce the rules as well. Anomalies can be spotted by looking at the anomalies. Helping environmental violations be fined and stopped.

Reduce the frequency of trips to collect waste when containers are not full. This could save time and money for the waste collection services.

• Increase operational efficiency by optimizing collection routes—reducing fuel and labor costs.

• Reduce the costs associated with litter and pest control.

• Building better policies around urban waste collection planning

Conclusion

Improving the processes of waste collection in cities can be improved by NB-IoT devices. For IoT to further improve the efficiency of waste management, both the public and private sectors need to cooperate and strengthen regulations and incentives, as well as innovation and collaboration with various government agencies. Together with the public and private sectors, a more sustainable future is ready now.