Our efforts to separate pure trash from recyclables, and different types of recyclables from each other, are cutting down on the amount of waste in landfills. But they’re also resulting in waste.
Each bin requires a different truck, and trucks are typically sent to empty the bins on a set schedule that doesn’t usually account for whether the bins are full or not.
Enevo hopes to eliminate that wasted effort and fuel by attaching sensors to the receptacles, allowing efficient collection routes to be developed based on need. Based on its experiences so far, it estimates the sensors can help cut collection costs by 40 to 50%.
The company was recently featured in Forbes, bringing even more attention to its efforts to transform the $3 trillion waste management industry. Enevo, which is based in Finland, recently won $8 million international funding to expand its service. It recentlylanded a smart waste collection deal in the Czech Republic. It’s already in use in dozens of cities in Europe and North America.
Next up: using data to spot trends
The profile also discusses the future of Enevo – a future that involves going well beyond knowing which bins are full. It involves making use of all the data it collects to spot trends and predict what will need to be collected and when, before that trash is even generated.
Right now the sensors collect data about how full the bin is and what its internal temperature is. The sensors allow each bin or trash can to connect to the Internet.
