Waste management and recycling operators should prioritise smart sorting technology, IoT, and blockchain if they aim to scale up their operations and process waste materials more rapidly and effectively.
According to Pritesh Pattni, Chief Commercial Officer at ISB Global, a UK-based provider of resource planning software for waste management operators worldwide, these three technologies are essential for managing the increasing complexity of recycling and waste processing, both now and in the future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are set to significantly enhance 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.”
Using IoT
“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 added. “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
Globally, governments are increasingly requiring businesses to demonstrate sustainable supply and waste management chains. These requirements rely on transparent reporting, often audited, with significant fines and even custodial sentences for severe breaches.
Businesses depend on their waste management operators to assist in several ways:
- Efficient and cost-effective management of various waste collections
- Full traceability of recycling and other waste management processes
- Transparent reporting
“Blockchain technology can help waste operators to meet the reporting needs of their commercial clients,” explained Pattni. “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.”
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