The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming waste management by enabling connectivity between devices, machinery, and people. IoT sensors help optimise waste collection, reducing costs caused by inefficient operations and prevent overflowing bins. Today, poorly placed public waste bins risk becoming overcrowded, leading to littering and inefficient waste management. With digital IoT tools and robust data collection, it is possible to customise placement and emptying as needed.
All of us generate municipal solid waste daily, yet city collection systems often go unnoticed—until a bin overflows. As cities grow and population density increases, waste volumes increase and so do the demands for effective waste management. After all, litter affects both the cityscape and the municipality, which needs to spend resources on cleaning up.
Waste bins are often placed based general guidelines, population density, observations or when complaints are received – leaving some overcrowded and others barely used – while both still follow the same emptying schedule. As traditional waste collection follows fixed routes, it hence leads to half-empty bins being emptied, wasted fuel, and inefficient use of city resources.
The potential of data-driven analysis and methods
Traditional methods rarely capture changing patterns of behavior and movement, which change over time. The issue of littering can be addressed and transitioned with ongoing data-driven collection processes, combining data from IoT sensors, geographic information and citizen reports. This provides a more reliable picture of the load at different locations, making it possible to optimise both the number and location of bins and to plan emptying more efficiently.
A more demand-driven waste management system contributes to less unnecessary transport, reduced environmental impact and more efficient use of staff. When placement and emptying can be planned based on data-driven analyses, rather than general assumptions, the result is more accurate and creates better conditions for a municipality to meet residents’ expectations for a clean urban environment.
Digital tools for decision-making
Insert IT, part of AddSecure, has developed a digital planning tool that is integrated into the BMS (Operation Management System). This solution enables the analysis and visualisation of needs linked to waste management, providing information that can inform decisions previously based on past experiences.
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