Waste management and recycling operators should prioritise smart sorting technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Blockchain if they want to scale up their operations and process waste materials in a faster, more effective and more efficient way.
That’s according to Pritesh Pattni, Chief Commercial Officer at ISB Global, the UK-based provider of resource planning software to waste management operators worldwide, who points to the three technologies as integral for operators to deal with the growing complexity of recycling and waste collection and processing, now and into the future.
Smarter sorting technology
AI and Machine Learning (ML) are set to radically improve the efficiency of automated waste sorting systems.
Pattni said: “Sorting materials is often a bottleneck for waste management and recycling. The more waste that a system has to manage, the worse the problem becomes. That’s why making this process faster and more efficient is essential.
“This is where AI and ML enter the conversation. Training ML models to recognise different materials and sort them efficiently means that sorting lines can run faster. There’s also less human error in the process and more waste streams can be sorted. Automated AI and ML-based sorters can work on a 24/7 basis if necessary.”
Leveraging IoT
Pattni continued: “Connected IoT sensors are already in use across the waste management value chain. Operators use the real-time data provided by these sensors to improve operational efficiencies – whether it’s by improving collections or planning their routes more sustainably. These sensors exist across the value chain, from their use in collection vehicles to deployment in waste facilities themselves.
“In Norway, for example, sensors are used to monitor the amount of waste in bins so that collections can be better planned. In the winter, collections are kept to a minimum, while in the busier tourist summer months, the waste is collected more regularly.
“Advances in sensor technology mean that waste companies can also detect when the wrong materials have been put in a bin. On-vehicle AI apps recognise and mark contaminated materials when household bins are emptied. The instant contaminated waste is identified, an alert, advice on best practice or a penalty can be administered on the spot, encouraging consumers to improve their recycling habits.
“Sensor usage in trucks is becoming commonplace throughout the sector,” Pattni went on. “The data relayed by these devices informs an array of decisions that improve efficiency – such as minimising fuel use and allowing for predictive maintenance so that collection vehicle fleets stay in peak condition.”
Using Blockchain for traceability
Around the world, governments are placing increasing requirements on businesses to prove that they have sustainable supply and waste management chains. These requirements are based on transparent reporting, which is often audited, with large fines and even custodial sentences for serious breaches.
Businesses therefore rely on their waste management operators to help them in a number of ways:
- Manage a range of waste collections efficiently and cost-effectively
- Provide full traceability of recycling and other waste management processes
- Transparent reporting
Pattni explained: “Blockchain technology can help waste operators to meet the reporting needs of their commercial clients. Blockchain-based systems record and verify transactions securely across a distributed database, helping waste management companies to log every step of their processes. This leads to better reporting and oversight, with all logs and records both transparent and traceable.”
“If the waste management industry is to fulfil its role and responsibilities in delivering a more sustainable future, it should embrace and encourage innovation and technological advancement. Emerging technologies that improve efficiency and drive circularity will be integral to this effort.”
