Having recycling programs in facilities is crucial for effective waste management. These programs often rely on recycling bins, which act as temporary storage for recyclable items. Periodically, recycling haulers will transfer the bin contents to the recycling facility for their treatment.
The traditional recycling bin will feature 2 or more openings and signage for the user to sort and dispose of their waste items. Unfortunately, the average user can be uncertain of the local regulations causing recyclable contamination and resulting in fines to the facility and, overall, ineffective recycling.
Thanks to robotics and AI innovations, facilities now have access to remarkable smart bin alternatives. These solutions not only automate on-site waste diversion but also gather and report data while having educational features to engage with the end-user.
In the realm of on-site recycling sorting solutions, making the right choice is crucial. We’ve compiled the most pertinent features to assist you in selecting a solution that aligns with your waste management needs. We’ve compared the leading smart recycling bins in the market, including TrashBot, Bin-E, Oscar Sort, and Evo Eco.
For each smart bin alternative, we will be covering the following: What Is It? Why Should You Consider It? Pros Cons
#1 TrashBot by CleanRobotics
What is it?
TrashBot by CleanRobotics is a cutting-edge waste management solution that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with robotics to revolutionize how waste is sorted and managed. This innovative system employs advanced technology to streamline the recycling process, making it more efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly.
Equipped with a range of sensors and a powerful AI engine, TrashBot is a smart bin that identifies and automatically separates recyclable items from non-recyclables with an impressive 96% accuracy. Its intuitive interface guides users on proper disposal, ensuring a cleaner and more effective recycling stream. By automating the waste diversion process, TrashBot significantly reduces contamination levels, ultimately leading to higher recycling rates.
Why Should You Consider It?
Automatic sorting: TrashBot’s AI automatically diverts the item into its corresponding bin inside, assigning any contaminated items into the landfill bin or organics into their corresponding bins.
Sorting accuracy: TrashBot dramatically improves the efficiency of waste diversion with a 96% sorting accuracy. Its AI technology can identify and sort the disposed item, sending it to the 3-4 bins inside the receptacle. at a much higher speed and accuracy compared to manual sorting, leading to faster recycling cycles.
Reduced contamination: Contamination is a major challenge in recycling efforts. TrashBot’s precise sorting capabilities minimize the risk of contamination, resulting in higher-quality recyclables and reduced environmental impact.
Built-in Screen: TrashBot features a large built-in screen and content management system. This can be leveraged for advertising, educating the public about recycling best practices or communicating your facility’s sustainability achievements.
Data and automated waste audits: TrashBot captures high-quality data (including photographs of each item) and generates analytics for on-demand, exportable waste audits. With the intuitive dashboard, users can monitor the bin’s capacity, track diversion rates, notice trends, and make strategic decisions.
Cloud connectivity and notifications: The captured waste data is stored in the cloud (and accessible from selected devices), allowing the TrashBot fleet to become smarter over time. The TrashBot smart bin also monitors its internal capacity and triggers SMS or email notifications for the custodial team.
Stream customization: TrashBot can be tailored to specific waste sorting and recycling needs, allowing it to adapt to diverse waste streams and optimize the sorting and diversion of recyclable materials from landfill-bound waste. This stream customization simplifies recycling by adapting to regional recycling rules, mitigating confusion caused by varying regulations in different geographical locations.
Dynamic content: TrashBot now provides real-time, adaptable feedback and engaging, custom content reflecting what is being thrown away. With TrashBot’s waste data, relevant educational content will be shown for the facility’s most popular waste items.
Pros: Automatic sorting 96% sorting accuracy Big built-in screen and content management system Reporting and analytics dashboard Cloud storage and connectivity Notifications for fullness indication and jams Interactive color-changing light-up logo sign Customizable 2, 3, or 4 separate waste streams Designed and manufactured in the USA Service and maintenance included Total capacity of 80 Gallons (304 Liters) Dynamic content for user engagement
Cons: Waste items need to be disposed one item at a time Cycle time is designed for 4-6 seconds but can take up to 7-12 seconds
#2 Bin-E
What Is It?
Bin-e is an AI-based smart waste bin, designed for public places, enabling them to simplify recycling. It sorts and compresses the waste automatically, controls the fill level, and processes data for convenient waste management. They offer two versions: The original Bin-e and the new Bin-e Electro, designed to streamline the sorting of diverse recyclable materials like e-waste, lightbulbs, batteries, and more.
Image source: https://bine.world/
Why Should You Consider It?
Automatic sorting: The recognized waste will be then transported to the right fraction. Everything happens 100% automatically.
Sorting accuracy: Bin-e uses an AI-based recognition system to identify waste, reaching a sorting accuracy of over 92%.
Compression of plastic and paper: Plastic and paper get compressed to decrease the volume and lower the frequency of bin emptying.
Cloud connectivity and notifications: All the data Bin-e collects is transferred onto a cloud and processed in real time. Fill level sensors check whether the bin needs to be emptied. The facility will receive a phone or e-mail alert when the bins are full.
App for stats & reports: Bin-e’s app provides you with detailed statistics about the waste you collected, data for optimizing waste collection, and the technical status of the Bin-e devices.
Pros: Automatic sorting 92% sorting accuracy Big built-in screen and content management system Reporting and analytics dashboard Cloud storage and connectivity Notifications for fullness indication Branding and color customization Waste compacting
Cons: Based out of Dąbrowa, Poland No sorting option for organic or contaminated items
Image source: https://solarimpulse.com/
#3 EvoEco
What Is It?
EvoEco is a freestanding, modular set of smart waste bins to empower enterprises’ sustainability efforts, while also reducing their bottom-line waste costs. Their intelligent monitoring system also allows for the bins to monitor how full they are and notify service personnel when they need to be emptied.
EvoEco hosts a suite of internal tools that enable enterprises to gather analytics on where their customers are throwing items away and how much they are depositing at a given location. These analytics allow businesses to better understand consumer behavior, and optimize their operations accordingly, saving them both time and money.
Image source: https://solutionsearch.org/
Why Should You Consider It?
Responsive messages: When a user discards their waste, sensors inside the EvoBin trigger responsive messages. Messages can be customized for specific audiences and events. The EvoBin can show environmental facts—or demonstrate how much money your organization could save by recycling.
Data and analytics: Every EvoBin waste deposit can be recorded on a personalized back-end dashboard. Real-time data can help building managers monitor activity and optimize custodial services across multiple locations.
Wasteproof enclosure with security and castor options.
Pros: Responsive video content Data and analytics Based out of Seattle, WA
Cons: No automatic sorting Additional cost for video customization 23 gallon capacity
Image source: https://art.washington.edu/
#4 Oscar Sort by Intuitive
What Is It?
Oscar Sort is a smart recycling assistant trained to identify all manner of food and beverage containers by pointing the trash item at its screen and providing back the information to the user on whether the item is recyclable or compostable.
Oscar Sort is easily attached to waste bins. It identifies different items within the hands of users – such as used paper napkins or a biodegradable spoon – and estimates the variation of body postures of approaching users.
Image source: Medium.com
Why Should You Consider It?
Screen with built-in camera: Oscar uses a display screen and AI camera to identify recycling from trash and instructs users which bin to use when disposing of waste.
Retrofits to existing bins: Oscar Sort fits to existing waste receptacles within a facility allowing it to be a global solution to solving a global problem. The 3 core configurations of Oscar Sort allow it to retrofit in all existing scenarios: plugging right behind a bin, attaching to a wall, or simply sitting on a countertop within a kitchen.
Customization: Intuitive aligns each site’s recycling guidelines which allow any site to nudge individuals and provide feedback at the most critical time. Oscar Sort allows any facility to get extremely granular, like outlining the liquid which could be present in bottles, leftover organics within food boxes, or splitting the lids and sleeves from a coffee cup.
Data and notifications: Oscar Sort begins by analyzing waste pickup trends and helps set optimized schedules and can even provide alerts as bins begin filling up at an unusual pace or reach a specific threshold. The prediction engine instructs to recognize the fill level of the dustbin at the time of disposing of the things. Finally, the research is done for the gesture implementation so that Oscar will give a sign to custodial staff when it’s time to empty the bin.
User engagement: Oscar Sort increases user engagement 7 times.
Pros: Gamification Retrofits to existing bins Reporting and analytics dashboard Fullness notifications and trends prediction 7x increased user engagement
Cons: No automatic sorting Based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada
Image source: https://intuitiveai.ca/oscar-sort
Investing in the right smart recycling bin can be a game-changer for your facility’s waste management efforts. With advanced robotics and AI technology, these innovative solutions not only streamline the recycling process but also educate and engage users. By making an informed choice, you’re not only contributing to a more sustainable future but also ensuring compliance with local regulations and avoiding costly fines. Take the first step towards a greener tomorrow by implementing a smart recycling bin solution that perfectly aligns with your waste management needs. Together, we can make a significant impact on the environment.
#5 MyMatR
What is it?
MyMatR is a smart waste bin designed to sort waste at the source of disposal automatically. Equipped with advanced image recognition software, MyMatR provides valuable waste stream analysis, allowing users to optimize recycling efforts and reduce landfill use. The system ensures efficient waste categorization into the trash and recycling bins inside and offers a dashboard for real-time data reporting, making waste management more sustainable and streamlined.
Image source: https://www.mymatrcorp.com
Why Should You Consider It?
Automatic Sorting: MyMatR incorporates artificial intelligence for waste sorting at the point of disposal. MyMatR identifies and separates discarded waste, ensuring efficient categorization into landfill and recycling bins.
Real-Time Data Reporting: Through Wi-Fi or 4G/LTE, users can access real-time data about their waste disposal habits. The system allows users to access and export waste data, empowering them with insights into their environmental footprint.
Fullness Detection: MyMatR offers fullness detection capabilities. Sending alerts from any location when each bin reaches capacity, optimizing waste collection efficiency.
Educational Display: The embedded display screen provides users with valuable information on proper waste disposal practices.
Customization Options: MyMatR offers various container shapes and sizes, and the optional customization of the cover design for the client’s specific needs. MyMatR can include advertising on the containers for businesses looking to maximize visibility.
Pros: Automatic sorting Reporting and analytics dashboard 7” Built-in screen Wi-Fi or 4G/LTE connectivity Notifications for fullness indication Branding customization Total capacity of 46 or 72 Gallons 3 sec. cycle time
Cons: Only two waste streams (bins inside) Sorting accuracy unknown Binary decision limitation
In the era of environmental consciousness and heightened corporate responsibility, sustainability has become a critical concern for companies across all industries. AI systems are transforming the world and becoming an important part of our daily lives. AI is a 100 billion dollar industry and is expected to increase twenty-fold by 2030. All major sectors, like healthcare, education, retail, and marketing, are adapting AI solutions to work more efficiently. Regardless of your industry, if you want to be innovative, it’s wise to leverage the power of AI.
This article explores AI applications that are driving sustainability practices, AI’s impact on the environment, and how companies can use AI to foster a more sustainable future.
Harnessing the Power: Applications of AI in Driving Sustainability Practices
Artificial intelligence has transformed our world. There is a wide range of AI applications that are revolutionizing the way companies address environmental challenges. A 2020 study from Nature Communications shows AI can serve as an enabler for 79% of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets. From optimizing resource management to enabling data-driven decision-making, AI significantly drives greener business practices. Here are some typical AI applications.
Energy Management
Clean energy and efficient energy use are essential to every sustainability initiative, and AI can help companies enhance energy efficiency in many ways. AI-powered systems can analyze real-time data on energy consumption and identify patterns to optimize energy usage. Machine learning (ML) algorithms can automatically adjust energy settings based on usage patterns, weather conditions, and occupancy levels, reducing energy waste and lowering carbon emissions. It can also encourage companies to diversify their energy sources and invest in renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Waste Management
Waste Management is an often-overlooked area that has the potential to make or break our environment. AI can optimize nearly every stage of the waste management process, from analyzing data on waste generation to sorting and collection to materials recovery facilities (MRFs). This enables companies to improve waste sorting, minimize landfill contributions, and optimize recycling and composting operations. AI-powered robots and computer vision can also enhance sorting accuracy and efficiency in recycling facilities. Even in workplaces and public facilities, smart bins like TrashBot can help reduce waste contamination by sorting accurately at the disposal point.
Supply Chain Optimization
Supply chain operation is complex, and so is making it sustainable. AI can help improve supply chain sustainability by optimizing logistics, transportation, and inventory management. AI algorithms can also analyze large datasets to identify opportunities for reducing carbon emissions, improving logistics, and minimizing packaging waste. Companies can reduce environmental impact and enhance their sustainability by auditing their supply chain operations.
Carbon Footprint Measurement
AI can accurately measure and track carbon footprints across the entire lifecycle of almost anything. Using machine learning algorithms to analyze data from various sources, companies can evaluate their energy consumption and calculate emissions. This helps identify emission hotspots, set reduction targets, and make informed decisions to mitigate an organization’s carbon footprint.
Sustainable Agriculture
AI has the potential to change the entire agricultural system. By analyzing weather patterns, soil conditions, and crop health, AI-powered systems can help agribusinesses optimize irrigation, fertilizer usage, and pest management, reducing water waste and chemical inputs. It can also support precision farming techniques, improving yield while minimizing environmental impact. For example, a company called Carbon Robotics has created an AI-powered robot that utilizes thermal energy to target and kill weeds, cutting weed control costs for farmers by 80% and eliminating the need for toxic herbicides.
The Cost of AI-powered Sustainability: The Other Side of The Picture
Just as AI contributes to sustainability, it can also contribute to carbon emissions and climate change. The computational power required to run AI models incurs substantial environmental and financial costs. On top of the costs of hardware resources, powering that hardware also leaves a massive carbon footprint.
Studies have found that Google’s AlphaGo Zero – the AI that plays the game of Go against itself to self-learn – generated nearly 6 tons of carbon dioxide over 40 days of research training. That’s equivalent to almost 1000 hours of air travel. According to a paper by researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the process of training AI models can emit more than 626,000 lbs of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to nearly five times the lifetime emissions of an average American car (including manufacturing).
Researchers are currently working on ways to make AI more sustainable. For example, we can reduce the need for massive data by selecting only the most relevant training data or adapting existing models to new tasks. Other approaches like edge computing and neuromorphic computing can also help overcome the energy-intensive nature of current AI models and develop more sustainable AI.
Fostering a Sustainable Mindset: Empowering Companies to Embrace Sustainability
If managed well, AI is powerful and can contribute to a company’s sustainability mission. While complex and involving a multitude of disciplines, it is possible to reduce the environmental impact of AI as organizations commit to more sustainable practices.
To ensure sustainability, companies must go beyond implementing AI-driven solutions and technologies. They must develop a sustainable ethos that permeates every aspect of their operations. This way companies can empower themselves to make conscious choices that prioritize environmental stewardship and long-term sustainable operations. By embracing AI with a sustainable mindset, organizations can reimagine their impact and offer value beyond what they thought previously possible.
Inflation, unemployment, bank collapses, economic fluctuations, and the threat of a recession are creating a world of uncertainty. Companies have responded to this uncertainty with layoffs and cost-cutting measures. But how does the state of the economy impact a company’s sustainability efforts?
Sustainability is challenging and seems even more so during economic recessions. However, history shows that putting sustainability commitments on the back burner is wrong and bad for business. This article will explore the connection between recessions and sustainability and strategies to maintain sustainable initiatives during an economic downturn.
The Current Picture
We are going through one of the most economically intense and uncertain times in the last few decades. We face three extremely challenging situations: the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and inflation. This has led to a turbulent stock market, higher interest rates, fewer startups, and a looming crypto winter.
The Historical Impact of Recessions on Sustainability Initiatives
The current economic picture might seem demotivating, but there is a bright side. Tough times often lead to a new generation of companies that thrive. Throughout history, the impact of economic recessions on sustainability initiatives has been mixed. While some companies deprioritize sustainability during an economic downturn, there have also been companies that have become more sustainable.
Sustainability does not mean that a company must deprioritize everything else. Instead, sustainability can help companies survive and recover from recessions. A paper on the impact of corporate sustainability explored this concept. Half of the 180 companies studied identified sustainability as core to their corporate strategy from about 1993. The other half adopted no sustainable practices. The results showed that $1 in an equally weighted portfolio of the first 90 companies in 1992 would have grown to $22.60 by the end of 2010, while the investment rose to only $15.40 for the other 90 companies.
During the 2008 financial crisis, some companies adopted sustainable practices that helped them reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. For example, many companies implemented energy-efficient solutions that reduced their carbon footprint and saved money on utility bills.
The COVID-19 pandemic also helped companies realize the importance of sustainability. It revealed the frailty of our global economy and society and reminded us that our identities are deeply entangled with that of our ecosystem. People learned that adopting sustainable practices like natural and non-toxic products will reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants, leading to better health outcomes. Supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty also encourage people to rethink spending habits and prioritize more sustainable and environment-friendly purchases.
The extent to which economic recessions affect a company’s sustainability pursuits depends on various factors, including the duration and severity of the downturn, the prevailing condition of the industry and market, and the leadership and priorities of individual companies.
Strategies to Maintain Sustainability Initiatives During Economic Recessions
In a survey conducted by the World Economic Forum, nearly one-third (34%) of the respondents believed that the environment should be prioritized even at the cost of the economy. However, it can be difficult for companies to prioritize sustainability in a recession. Here are a few strategies to help companies maintain sustainability initiatives during economic recessions.
Focus on the Bigger Picture
During an economic recession, cost reduction is generally the highest priority. This is why your sustainability initiatives must align with your cost reduction goals. Sustainability initiatives often require some upfront investment but are cost-efficient in the long run. A few great ways to promote sustainability and reduce costs are by implementing resource-efficient processes and optimizing energy usage.
“Numerous studies show that companies with strong CSR goals and focus outperform their counterparts during economic downturns, including the 2008 recession. And they recover more quickly.” — Trisa Thompson, CRO at Dell Technologies
Engage Your Stakeholders and Board
Engaging stakeholders and the board is essential to make the most of your sustainability efforts. Stakeholders like customers, employees, and suppliers can help maintain sustainability during economic turbulence.
“Board oversight and putting board-related governance structures in place are not only more common, they are required under SASB and other initiatives.” — Ellen Weinreb, co-founder of Sustainability Veterans
Communicate the Benefits of Sustainability
It’s crucial to communicate the benefits of sustainability to stakeholders. It will make collaboration easier, and you can share ideas and find opportunities as a team.
Explore New Opportunities
“Recessions may put options on the table that would not be considered in normal times. Seize opportunities for more substantive redesign.” — Bart Alexander
An economic recession is a challenging time for individuals and organizations and an excellent time to explore new opportunities. There are many ways companies can use a recession to explore sustainability initiatives.
Focusing on energy efficiency can help organizations reduce their carbon footprint and save costs simultaneously. For example, installing energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and new HVAC systems, and implementing policies to reduce energy consumption.
Invest in renewable energy projects like solar panels and wind turbines to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and save money. The upfront costs associated with renewable energy systems may be higher than traditional energy sources, but the long-term savings and benefits can be significant.
Implement a circular economy ethos by designing products and systems that minimize waste and maximize resource use. This could involve the use of recycled materials, implementing closed-loop systems, smart waste management, or designing products that can be repaired and reused. Circular economy practices can help businesses reduce costs and create a more sustainable business model.
Support local and sustainable supply chains by sourcing materials regionally, supporting fair trade practices, and considering the entire lifecycle of your materials. Supply chains often get disrupted during a recession, and by supporting local suppliers, businesses can build supply chains that are resilient and better equipped to weather economic downturns.
Conclusion
Economic recessions present a variety of challenges to sustainability. Organizations will typically prioritize financial stability over sustainable operations. However, it’s essential to recognize that sustainability and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, and pursuing sustainable practices can lead to economic benefits in the long run. Moreover, investing in sustainability initiatives during a recession can create jobs and stimulate economic activity, providing a pathway for recovery.
Policymakers and businesses must work together to incentivize and develop strategies to support sustainability. Ultimately, a healthy economy depends heavily on a healthy planet.
Landfills have been around for centuries. The very first landfill dates back 3,000 BC to Knossos, Crete (modern-day Greece), where people used to dig holes in the ground to dispose of refuse. Currently, the U.S. represents nearly 4% of the world population but is responsible for 12% of the global municipal solid waste (MSW). The current recycling rate in the U.S. is 32%, and more than half of the MSW still ends up in landfills.
This article discusses landfills, their impact, and how data and technologies can help maximize landfill operations and reduce emissions.
Landfill Emissions and Their Impacts
Landfills are designed mainly to dispose of waste that cannot be recycled, reused, repurposed, or composted. The types of waste that typically end up in landfills include municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition debris, and industrial, electronic, medical, and hazardous waste. The waste in landfills undergoes decomposition, producing both liquid and gaseous byproducts.
Landfill emissions can be broadly classified into three categories: greenhouse gases, organic compounds (VOCs), and toxic air pollutants. Greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are produced during the decomposition of organic waste in landfills. Methane, in particular, is nearly 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. On top of that, landfill emissions can also produce leachate (a toxic liquid), contaminating the soil and groundwater.
In the United States, MSW landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions. These emissions not only contribute to climate change but lead to various other environmental and social issues. In 2020, the methane emissions from MSW landfills were equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from about 20.3 million passenger vehicles driven for a year.
However, these harmful methane emissions can be captured and utilized as a significant energy source.
Data as a Tool for Evaluating Landfill Operations
It’s difficult to imagine landfills having a place in the circular economy. But data can play a critical role in making landfills safer and more efficient and in reducing their emissions. Data can help us understand the scope and source of emissions, track emissions reduction, and identify areas of improvement.
Here are a few ways data can improve landfill operations and help reduce emissions.
Emissions inventories: Data can be used to develop landfill emissions inventories, which compile information on the quantities and sources of greenhouse gas emissions from various sectors. The inventories track emission changes over time and provide a baseline for measuring progress toward emissions reduction goals.
Monitoring and reporting: Monitoring and reporting landfill emissions regularly can help identify areas where emissions can be reduced or controlled. Sophisticated monitoring can detect anomalies in daily operations, enable timely repair of methane leaks, support emissions reduction, and validate abatement strategies.
Identifying sources: Detailed data on landfill emissions can be used to identify the most significant sources of emissions, like methane and other GHG’s, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and toxic air pollutants. This can inform targeted emission reduction strategies and evaluate their effectiveness over time.
Evaluating technologies: Data can help evaluate the performance of various technologies used to reduce landfill emissions, such as methane capture and utilization systems.
Predictive modeling: Data can be used in predictive modeling to identify areas where emissions reductions are more likely to have a significant impact and then develop reduction strategies accordingly.
Public health assessments: Landfill data can assess the potential health impacts of landfill emissions on nearby communities. The information can further underscore strategies (like improving ventilation or implementing a buffer zone) to mitigate the impacts.
Education and outreach: An important use of data is to educate the public about the overall impacts of landfills. This can promote behavior change that leads to waste reduction at both the individual and community levels.
The Role of Data and Technology in Landfill Rehabilitation
Unregulated MSW landfills can cause a significant negative impact on the environment and community health. The decomposition of organic materials in landfills results in landfill emissions, leachates, pollution, odor, and the spread of disease. Landfill rehabilitation and smart landfill management are the answers to these problems and will ensure we only have safe, effective landfills.
Upgrading landfill systems can help transform a toxic space into a valuable community asset. According to a report from RMI, rehabilitating simple dump sites to sanitary landfills equipped with gas and leachate collection systems and other environmental controls will enable the capture of methane emissions and improve public health and safety.
Regulating and upgrading landfills also drives necessary change to the industry, transforming it from one whose priority is profit to a waste management system that is focused on resource recovery. In a recent issue of Municipal Solid Waste Management Magazine, Parker Dale, President of Bio-Organic Catalyst, says,
“The old model was to make money off the dumping fees. And then as you had renewables, the value of the gas was recognized and better management began to seep in and you had the evolution of the industry and more sophistication in management to support the mechanism of action that was really biological. Now it’s about optimizing the carbon cycle to essentially turn the whole thing into useable converted waste, producing useable resources such as compost and methane.”
Innovation to Support Responsible Landfill Operations
The World Bank reports that global waste is expected to grow by 70% by 2050. While source reduction remains the best method for reducing our dependency on landfills and combatting emissions, landfills won‘t be going away soon. As a significant part of waste management, we must use data and technology to ensure landfills’ efficacy and long-term sustainability. From developing emission inventories to monitoring and reporting to landfill rehabilitation, data has the potential to reduce landfill emissions and help us recover as much value from them as possible.
Organizations of all types are interested in smart waste management and new recycling technology. Integrating new sustainability initiatives within an organization often starts by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP). But while RFPs are a standard process throughout the purchasing and acquisition worlds, there always remains an inherent challenge in writing one from scratch.
To make this process even more efficient, we have created templates for RFI and RFP that you can download for free.
Smart waste management also draws on a wide variety of technologies and services, which can make writing a simple RFP become much more complicated. The CleanRobotics team would like to share four great steps in creating a strong RFP with the optimal level of detail and technical requests of potential vendors. The better the RFP, the better the vendor response, and the more likely your organization will be able to make an educated selection.
Step One: Introduce Your Organization and the Challenge
Vendors will be interested in learning as much relevant information as they can about your organization and the use case for their recycling technology. Describing your organization, how it operates, and its sustainability policy will help vendors understand if they can provide a good solution for your organization.
Step Two: Clearly-Defined Goals
A strong RFP is defined by its clarity. Vendors will be more responsive and more apt to provide the information with clearly articulated RFP goals:
Waste Stream Improvement: Better control of the existing waste stream – in which you will need to explain what recycling technology is likely needed to accomplish this. A description of your current efforts will be helpful.
Meeting Established Sustainability Goals: A stronger ability to meet established corporate or organizational sustainability objectives – your vendor will be interested in knowing what your targeted, quantifiable objective(s) are and if there is a timeline for meeting these objectives.
Municipal Compliance: The need to meet local recycling or waste requirements – these should be clearly stated in the proposal. Alternatively, the RFP can direct vendors to the applicable municipal website for more detailed information.
Specific Problem/Solution: Solving a specific sustainability problem or concern – vendors will want to know what that issue is so they can propose the best solution
Step Three: Communicate Parameters
Strong RFPs provide answers to questions that vendors will ask. Make sure that your proposal includes:
Timeline: An expected implementation timeline – in return, vendors can provide a clear outline of when and how they would implement their technologies.
Technology Description: A clear description of the type of recycling technology your organization is seeking – smart bins, robotics, AI-based technology, etc.
Project Concept: An initial but general project concept – i.e., how many units are needed, where they could be placed, likely usage, required number of waste streams, etc.
Known Parameters/Limitations: Any limitations or challenges that could affect the project – staffing, infrastructure, etc.
Pricing Structure: Anticipated pricing template, including how you expect costs to be broken down – purchase, leasing, support, licensing, etc.
Providing detailed information serves two purposes: it helps vendors create comprehensive proposals, but it also reduces the chance that a vendor will provide an unfeasible or unworkable proposal. Instead, the vendor is more likely to realize that they aren’t a good fit and decline to submit a proposal.
In many instances, the final details of an RFP will not likely be decided until a vendor has been selected and a final contract is in the works. But general details help create a level playing field as vendors will be responding to the same parameters.
Step Four: All the Details
While much of the focus in writing a strong RFP is on the project itself, don’t forget to include the basic foundational details. This includes:
Process: Proposal deadline and review process, including intended review period and likely decision time, next steps, and how companies will be contacted during the process.
Submission Method: How you would like the proposal submitted (electronically via email, by mail, through a web-based submission, etc.) as well as if single or multiple copies must be submitted.
Media: Parameters for how supplemental/required media (videos or video links) can/cannot be submitted.
Proposal Format: What format the proposal should be in (PDF, slide deck, etc.)
Contact Information: Basic contact information for soliciting questions during the RFP process and for the final submission itself.
Questions: If there is a defined Q&A period, clearly state it and how questions are being submitted and answered.
Evaluation Criteria: Any helpful evaluation criteria or scoring process, at your discretion.
Finally, regardless of the RFP selected, it’s courteous to notify all vendors that a decision has been made at each round of the process.
Do you know that nearly 1.3 billion tons of food are lost or wasted every year, according to the UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program)? An estimated 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with unconsumed food. Moreover, the need to reduce food waste is becoming a pressing issue, as world hunger has risen significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article will discuss the importance of composting food waste and what it can do for a facility’s sustainability and smart waste management.
The Importance of Composting Food Waste
Over the years, using compost or organic fertilizers in agriculture was replaced by the overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This dependence gave rise to several issues, including soil deterioration, excess or deficiency of specific nutrients, insect outbreaks, and soil solidification. In addition, our food system and daily food habits inevitably produce a high amount of waste, such as food scraps and leftover food. To effectively manage food waste and combat soil issues, we must leverage the value of the organic waste we produce.
Composting and the Waste Hierarchy
The waste management hierarchy is a framework that ranks various waste management techniques based on their impact on the environment and human health. Represented as a pyramid-like structure, the hierarchy shows the best waste management technique on top (reduction) and the least preferred one (disposal) near the bottom. The five levels in the waste management hierarchy are:
Composting food waste is an essential part of the waste hierarchy because it not only diverts waste from landfills and recovers valuable materials but also benefits the waste management system. Organic waste is more manageable than other materials like paper, plastic, and glass. There are multiple ways to deal with organic waste that make it possible to avoid the disposal stage altogether, and the best method is composting.
Proper composting also minimizes our dependence on chemical fertilizers while improving soil fertility and water retention. Smart waste management through composting programs is a no-brainer for facilities.
How Composting Helps Food Waste Reduction Initiatives
A study by the food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations reports that nearly one-third of the food produced globally is wasted. Composting helps food waste reduction initiatives by converting organic food waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Food waste instead becomes a valuable asset to our agricultural lands and gardens. Compost also helps improve soil fertility and health and reduces water consumption and the need for chemical fertilizers.
Additionally, composting helps reduce the amount of food waste in landfills. When food waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane — a potent greenhouse gas. Composting diverts food waste from landfills, reducing the amount of methane gas.
Composting As Part of a Facility’s Waste Diversion
Composting can help a facility’s waste diversion efforts by preventing organic waste like food scraps and paper products from ending up in landfills.
On the other hand, improper waste sorting can make composting difficult or even impossible for facilities. It gives rise to excessive contamination, which makes it difficult to recycle or compost effectively. Composting food waste can help facilities divert a significant amount of waste and reduce their overall carbon footprint. Facilities can also achieve more circularity by using the compost they produce in landscaping and gardening, and they can leverage composting programs to educate their visitors about food waste.
Smart waste management technology like TrashBot can help facilities reduce waste contamination and replace landfill materials with compostable ones. A pilot case study revealed that TrashBot helped a Los Angeles hospital reduce contamination within their recycling and compost streams by 95% and brought the diversion rates up to 50% by introducing compostable alternatives.
Composting and the Environment
The UNEP wildlife Chief, Doreen Robinson, says:
“Our relationship with nature is unbalanced. Humans are always taking and discarding, and nature is continuously giving more. We need to apply circular thinking in which life is sustained and things are continuously repurposed.” — Doreen Robinson
To achieve a circular economy and drive widespread change, we must follow the waste hierarchy and consider how we can prevent, reuse, recycle, or recover materials before discarding them.
Composting food waste is a highly underrated yet integral part of smart waste management. It also offers considerable environmental impacts. It minimizes food waste, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. It also makes facilities and urban areas more resilient to the effects of climate change. Composting can cut down on the water needed to grow food and improve soil health. Through implementing composting programs, facilities can improve their diversion, reduce their footprint, and get closer to achieving smart waste management.
