Technology

Case Study: Bin Sensors

The waste management industry is currently benefiting from breakthroughs in technology that enable the ‘internet of things’ to greatly increase routing efficiencies and reduce instances of over-servicing. An example of this emerging technology is Enevo that has developed a device that can be attached to bins to wirelessly broadcast the fullness of the bin to the hauler. By incorporating the fullness of the bin into its routes, the hauler can implement dynamic routes that only service bins that are full. In November 2015, EcoNomics worked with Waste Management of Orange County, on behalf of the City of Mission Viejo, to implement the Enevo technology for over 440 recycling bins within the City. Waste Management offers complimentary commercial recycling in Mission Viejo, which has resulted in decreasing revenue as more customers downsize their trash service and increase their recycling service to comply with state laws. The Enevo technology allowed Waste Management to continue to provide free recycling to Mission Viejo customers in a more efficient manner, since drivers only service bins that are full and do not waste time and fuel on collecting bins that are partially full or empty. The City benefited from the arrangement because Waste Management was less resistant to implementing state-mandated, no-cost recycling programs as the service could be provided more cost-effectively. As of January 1, 2017, recycling was no longer offered at no charge, and, as a result, the Enevo program was discontinued in Mission Viejo.

Case Study: Pay-As-You-Throw

During the RFP process in the City of Tustin in 2018, EcoNomics requested that all proposers provide a plan for incorporating technology into their collection processes. CR&R Incorporated (CR&R) was selected by the City and began collection operations under the new contract in April 2019. CR&R is utilizing on-board scales on all of their commercial collection vehicles. This system will be used to provide real-time data on bin weights and will ultimately pave the way for a ‘pay-as-you-throw’ system, where customers are charged by the actual weight of materials collected as opposed to by the volume of the bin collected. CR&R also implemented ‘smart bin’ technology at City accounts to track bin fullness and to optimize routing to only collect bins when they have reached a certain fullness level.