Smart Bins

If you can’t measure it…you can’t manage it

Most current waste and recycling collection systems follow a static model, where containers are picked up regardless of their content or fill level. This inefficiency has an impact on monetary, environmental, and community costs, with some containers overfilling before they are collected, while others sit empty, yet are picked up anyway.

Victor Stanley Relay™ modernizes this system by monitoring the fill levels and weights of all containers, so that they can be collected at the optimal time. This service saves on collection expenses and ensures resources are allocated efficiently, while reducing fuel costs, carbon footprints, and unsightly overflowing waste.

For details on chart data, see Pittsburgh Case Study.

Track & tackle everything from cost savings to environmental equity.

With Relay sensor technology and its data driven waste collection, you’re saving much more than waste management costs. Because along with measuring receptacle fill levels for more efficient collection, Relay also collects street-level data that can help cut CO2 emissions, improve public health and bring environmental equity to all parts of the city.

What is Relay?

An all-in-one solution, Relay features fully integrated sensors within new and existing rubbish bins and recycling stations, wireless communications, and dedicated web portal for access to container conditions.

Sensors

After struggling to find a sensor that could meet the challenges for high-use in commercial and urban environments, and to withstand the rigorous conditions in NZ at the street level, we partnered with Víctor Stanly and sourced their proprietary Street Level Sensing™ technology. This means that fill level, weight, system temperature, container location, and collection status are continuously monitored — and real-time container conditions are automatically transmitted using standard cellular networks.

 

Service Portal

Access from anywhere through any device. Users can check real-time status of containers. Customize alert triggers and push notifications to receive information regarding fill level spikes, container location, collection status and dispatch reporting. Real-time and historical information to maximize collection planning, scheduling, routing* and resource utilization.

*Additional Cost

Actionable Data From Every Street Corner™

 

Street Level Sensing

GPS Location

Automatically provides longitude and latitude coordinates of each container. A geocoding service automatically looks up the container’s current street address and updates its location. This saves time, money and aggravation when relocating containers for events or reassignment.

Fill Level

Optimization of collection fleet reduces fuel expenses, traffic congestion, resource costs, and CO2 emissions. Elimination of overfilling improves aesthetic appeal and community satisfaction. Collection crews are notified of assignments with flexible and configurable fill level alerts.

Weight*

Measured weight ±1.36 kg  Gather weight data within Rubbish Bins and recycling bins to improve landfill diversion rates and recycler accountability. Ensure compliance with employee labor restrictions. * Available only on specific bins

 

Temperature

Includes high temperature alerts that can indicate a fire within a container. Measure the temperature of every container within the city to identify areas with atypically high heat levels. Provide analytical support for future plantings if there is insufficient tree coverage.

Rummaging

User-enabled rummaging and rodent detection looks for specific patterns in the measurements it records that indicate rodent movement within the container. Use the data to uncover specific problem areas and key surrounding contributors.

Environmental Sensing

Noise

Detection and alerts for gunfire, construction and other outdoor nuisances. Coming soon.

 

Pedestrian Activity

Detection and alerts on pedestrian counts, direction, flow and crowds. Identify high use areas and provide data for funding and future planning. Coming soon.

 

Climate

Detection and reports on ambient temperature, humidity, atmospheric, altitude, and snow depth (sidewalk and street conditions). Coming soon.

Pollution

Detection and alerts for air, noise, light, and chemical pollutants. Coming soon.

Odor

Detection and alerts for the local area and within the container. Coming soon.

How can this help your council?

 

Future Planning

Bins equipped with Relay sensors provide accurate, real-time data on fill level, pedestrian traffic, and much more. This means valuable insights for future planning. Identify highly trafficked areas for increased funding of projects, parks, and beautification initiatives. Identify additional bin needs (or unused locations).

Illegal Dumping

Our Relay technology continuously monitors fill level and weight, sending a spike alert that indicates unusual fill level change and when the spike occurred. It’s valuable data that can help you stop residential dumping and overflow.

Heat Equity

Receive accurate, real-time data on environmental conditions including ambient temperature throughout the city, wherever Relay equipped bins are located. Identify urban areas with higher temperatures. Provide analytical support for efforts to mitigate heat islands and prepare for extreme heat events equitably.

Street Level Conditions

Potholes, graffiti, and construction sites can all be recorded, with photos and written logs. Relay sensors are paired with a platform that allows your crews to report on conditions in the field. Analyze trends to proactively manage areas of potential concern. Report on relocated or damaged bins to keep detailed records of the full container fleet. Submit custom reports to leverage the expertise of your crews into a work order system without constraints.

Cost Savings

Save an estimated 70-90% in collection expenses. The data from Relay sensors can help you avoid making unnecessary collections. Save on labor costs and equipment depreciation by only dispatching crews to the containers requiring pickup. Determine which fill level is ideal for your collections, and the system will keep your crews notified.

Cut CO2 Emissions

Reduce carbon footprint with efficient routing that optimizes how long collection trucks stay on the road. Improve environmental impact with a collection process free of wasted resources.

Ease Employment Shortages

Pittsburgh began implementing the Relay smart waste management system to upgrade to a more efficient waste collection process. They found that a job that once required 25 people now only takes 8. Allowing workers to focus on other pressing tasks, including street repairs, cleaning up vacant lots, and improving street-level conditions in disadvantaged areas.

Rodent Abatement

Relay detects rodent movement within trash containers. Identify problem areas and uncover surrounding contributors, such as overflowing dumpsters, alleyway litter, and discarded food. Treat the infestation’s root cause and not simply the symptoms. Use Relay data to measure the success of this approach over time.

Central Otago District Council Trial Sensor Bins

We are in early stages of a trial with Central Otago District Council  in using sensor bins to maximize efficiencies with collections. From deciding on the best routes  for collection, to ensuring bins are emptied when they are full (not just because they were driving past) this reduces CO2 and decreases costs of collections. Having a bin liner that goes to landfill when it is full as opposed to when it is only half full has a positive impact on the environment.  Also with remote areas CODC in conjunction with their contractor, they can make “out of the way”  journeys when a bin in “known” to be full…not just guess work.

The sensors can also detect possible dumping spikes when the bins are suddenly laden with a larger weight and mass which could be some residential dumping. This information can help shape what control and measurements need to be in place.

 

 

Contact Us

373 Neilson Street, Penrose, Auckland