Digital technologies will deliver more efficient waste management in ...

This briefing provides an overview of the potential for a digital transformation of the European waste management sector. It is based upon on the underpinning report by the European Topic Centre on Waste and Materials in a Green Economy (ETC/WMGE).

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Using digital technologies in waste management

The uptake of digitalisation technologies across society is largely a result of continuing advances in miniaturisation, increased processing power and falling costs. Waste management is no exception, and it is also benefiting from improving digital technologies.

Examples of specific digital technologies that are currently used and expected to have a major impact in future on the efficiency of the waste industry include robotics, the internet of things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data analytics (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Use of digital technologies in waste management

A revolution in waste management logistics

Digital technologies are increasingly applied across almost all areas of waste collection. Certain aspects of collection have been transformed by advances in digitalisation, especially logistics — the process of organising, scheduling and dispatching tasks, personnel and vehicles. Here, digital tools offer the potential to enhance the process by storing, processing, analysing and optimising the necessary information. Information generated during the collection process, e.g. on task progress or incidents, can be monitored in real time.

As greater volumes of information are collected, so complexity grows. In such instances optimisation algorithms help find the most suitable options for allocating resources such as workforce or vehicles. Important technologies include telematics, including routing systems, navigation and vehicle tracking software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and similar. The resulting improvements are most apparent in increased efficiency. Another example is the so-called internet of things, including applications such as smart bins and robotics for semi-autonomous waste collection vehicles.

There remains substantial room to improve the waste collection process in the future and to align it with the needs of a circular economy. For example, it needs to be able to respond more flexibly to changing waste patterns and targets, or to facilitate the implementation of on-demand and customised services (ISWA, ). 

Another part of waste collection is the process of documentation, communication and billing. Here, the ongoing switch from paper-based administration systems to digital systems, as seen in other industries, will further increase the efficiency of processes and flow of information. The technologies involved include digital identity tags for waste bins and containers, digital order processing, digital billing and payment, digital user interfaces for communication with consumers, and connecting public waste collection providers with other relevant governmental databases. 

If these digital technologies are applied in documentation processes, they can be used to gather waste-related data from the public. Turned into valuable information by data analytics, they can support a circular economy through ‘a better understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of waste generation’ (ISWA, ). In addition, the potential to collect many single data points instead of just reporting cumulative values can give local authorities further insights. 

Digitalisation as a means to incentivise green behaviour 

Pay-as-you-throw systems become more feasible using digital identification and billing techniques. These systems allow for a ‘fair’ billing scheme by allocating costs proportional to the amount of waste generated. It has been shown, however, that such schemes can have negative effects through attempts to avoid paying, such as increased illegal littering, use of public bins and ‘waste tourism’ to neighbouring regions with traditional billing schemes (Kinnaman, ).

Digitalisation also enables the development of advanced ‘know-as-you-throw’ schemes. In these schemes, waste management operators use radio-frequency identification (RFID) to monitor waste fractions at household level. A chip follows the waste and, once the operator has determined the quantity and quality of separation, this information is automatically fed back to the individual or company who generated the waste. Providing tailored messaging — e.g. appreciation for waste savings or good separation behaviour — can help nudge consumers towards better waste management practices, intersecting with waste prevention programmes. 

Reducing costs and reaping the opportunities of automation 

Waste management operations are a complicated logistical challenge involving substantial manual handling and, hence, labour costs. Digitalisation offers opportunities to reduce these costs and create better employment opportunities in higher value parts of the business chain. 

One important field of application is the sorting process, which is a prerequisite for high-level recycling. AI image processing techniques supported by robotic sorters are developing fast and are already used by several global manufacturers of commodities such as electronics. Other approaches include the labelling of products using watermarks, quick-response (QR) codes or other kinds of digitally readable markers. These can support automated sorters by feeding them information on the material composition and product set-up, facilitating the recovery of high-value materials. 

Robotic sorters can also generate information on the sorted materials, further optimising the subsequent processes or improving the AI. An example is the use of these data streams to predict patterns in incoming loads of waste and to learn about the waste sorting efficiency to predict the set-up of sorting lines. If these data are linked to other relevant data, such as prices in secondary raw material markets, then processes can also be adjusted accordingly. 

Drivers and inhibitors 

The waste management sector operates with low margins, is highly competitive, and continuously under pressure to reduce costs. Digital technologies require investment, but they also offer scalable efficiencies.

The report on digitalisation by the European Topic Centre provides further details of the main drivers and inhibitors of the digitalisation process. It identifies a number of economic, societal and technological barriers (Figure 2). 

Figure 2. Examples of drivers and inhibitors of digitalisation

Environmental trade-offs created by increasing digitalisation for waste management

Greater digitalisation can help achieve circular economy goals across the waste management cycle, from the material sourcing, production and use phases through to the reuse of resources. However, the digital transformation of Europe’s waste management infrastructure may create several generic trade-offs (Figure 2). The first is energy use. Supporting digital technologies can involve substantial energy requirements. A second concern is the material use required to produce the infrastructure, computing machines, the sorting robots and other elements. Lastly, all infrastructure has a lifespan after which it becomes waste itself. Preliminary examples of lifecycle analysis already indicate that the environmental benefits can outweigh such trade-offs by a large margin. However, more knowledge is needed to better understand this balance, illustrated in general terms in Figure 3. 

Putting the right practices in place can help you make sure you’re efficiently tackling waste removal, improving your environmental impact, and saving on costs.

1. Reduce waste

The first step towards more sustainable waste management practices is to cut back on the amount of waste you create. This means prioritising equipment and materials that you’ll use again and again, avoiding single-use products, and ensuring you only order items and materials you’ll actually use.

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2. Implement cloud-based waste management software

Use waste management software to analyse your real-time data and gain new insights into areas like waste generation, removal, and recycling. This software can help illuminate where resources are being wasted, recycling practices are falling short, and inefficiencies lie.

For example, you can use cloud-based software to track real-time waste levels and set up automated alerts on when bins need to be emptied. This type of software can also reduce costs by helping you reduce unnecessary hauls.

You can also use waste management software to help make sure you’re segregating and removing waste in accordance with legislation, helping you reduce your risk of fines and reducing your environmental impact. Find out more about how cloud-based waste management software can help you optimise your processes.

3. Support on-site waste segregation

80% of companies don’t offer separate recycling for recyclables and non-recyclables, even though it costs up to £103.70 per tonne sent to landfill. Incorporating on-site waste segregation practices is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact and cut costs.

Put clear procedures and infrastructure in place to support appropriate waste segregation. This means providing on-site bins or disposal units for different waste streams such as recyclable, non-recyclable, and hazardous waste.

Make it easy for employees to engage in waste segregation by sharing your company's recycling and waste removal policy and providing clear labelling and colour coding for different types of bins or waste disposal units.

4. Repurposed materials and equipment

One of the best ways to improve industrial waste management is to reuse and repurpose your materials and equipment. By doing so, you can make more efficient use of scrap materials and equipment, saving money, improving efficiency, and saving time.

For example, you can melt metal and reuse it rather than forging new metal, saving energy and expense. A number of companies recycle non-hazardous waste such as oil filters, containers, and industrial transformers. While recycling one tonne of paper can save 17 trees.

You can set up on-site recycling facilities or request the help of a recycling partner (more on that below).

5. Choose the right partners

Waste disposal doesn’t just fall on your company alone, make sure you’re partnering with licensed, reputable waste management and recycling companies. These companies can help remove, purify, repurpose, or dispose of both hazardous and recyclable waste for you.

In addition, you can also enter into partnerships with other companies in which you trade materials that aren’t of use to you but that the other company can use in their work. For example, plastics, metals, paper, or other waste materials may be valuable to another business.

6. Optimise your processes

By implementing process optimisation, you can reduce the amount of waste you create. For example, many businesses with eco-friendly waste management practices utilise lean manufacturing principles.

A great example of this is a just-in-time inventory which involves only ordering as much inventory as you need, rather than stocking up. This can help you both cut storage costs and avoid potential waste.

7. Invest in employee training

Investing in ongoing employee training is essential for keeping employees aware of and engaged in best practices and ensuring they are confident engaging with your waste removal processes and technologies. Employee training can improve employee engagement, promote critical thinking, and ensure employee safety.

8. Request a regular waste audit

Improve recycling rates and waste segregation in your business by requesting a regular waste audit.

A waste audit involves bringing in an external expert who can help you clearly differentiate your commercial and industrial waste, review your current waste removal practices, and provide guidance on more efficient internal waste removal, segregation, and residual and recycling practices.

Beyond helping to deliver greater efficiency, a waste removal expert can provide cost-saving advice as well as guidance on how to make your practices greener.

9. Stay up to date with changing regulations

Regulations can change quickly in the waste removal space. Non-compliance can potentially lead to hefty fines. The U.K. government has previously introduced unlimited penalties for companies that pollute the environment.

To make sure you stay up to date with new regulations, regularly review the government website and subscribe to industry publications. Another wise idea is to consult an environmental compliance professional who can review your processes and offer specialised advice.

10. Embrace automation

Automated collection and sorting systems and competitors can help improve efficiency and safety, reduce human error, conserve energy, and save time. Take AI-powered robots that can identify and sort different waste materials, recycle and repurpose materials quickly and efficiently, and dispose of hazardous materials safely.

Bonus Tip: Stay informed about industry trends

Just as industry regulations are always in flux, new waste management trends and interesting innovations are making their way into the waste management industry.

To make sure you’re aware of the latest technologies and innovations, subscribe to industry publications. Don't shy away from attending industry events to find out more about what’s new in the industry and hear from waste management experts across the sector. Such events also give you the chance to network with peers and learn from their approaches.

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