Challenge / Goal
Many European cities need to increase recycling rates in multi-family residential areas.Typically recycling levels in such areas are around 15% or lower, whereas average national recycling levels often reach 50% and higher. Space and accessibility restrictions for introducing recycling as well as means of providing continuous information and instantaneous feedback on correct behaviours are challenges for reaching higher recycling levels.
The aim of the Smart Waste Management measure of Grow Smarter project is to demonstrate a smart waste solution for residential areas using differently colored bags for different sorts of waste, transporting the bags long distance underground and sorting them automatically in the collection station. This solution will enable a cost efficient and smarter combined solution. with the possibility of providing feedback to end users on their waste segregation habit.
Solution
Under the smart waste collection system measure, a number of sub-solutions including Optical Sorting Technologies, Introduction of Automated Waste Collecting System in an Existing Neighborhood and Waste Collection Statistics for Individual Households/Businesses have been implemented.
In this use case the system for collecting waste statistics is installed together with the inlets in the sub-measure of Automated Waste Collecting System. Each inlet has been equipped with a technology. When the resident puts his/her waste into the Envac waste inlet, the user is identified alongside the type (by colour of bag) and weight of waste being deposited. Using smart keys together with colour sensors and scales, it is possible to register down to individual households the amount and type of waste thrown at any given moment.This information could be used to provide feedback to the system’s users, for instance, on individual recycling patterns, with the possibility of rewarding ‘good’ behaviours. But due to data protection legislation only accumulated data on building level will be analysed.
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