Not all technologies are valid for all models. When we implement any user-identification waste collection system, a very detailed analysis of the requirements is called for to determine which technology suits each model best.
We should not fear the coexistence of technologies, and it is important that technologists be involved in the project and facilitate integrations to ensure that each model has the best solution. Therefore, waste collection managers must define the requirements for each system taking the following factors into account:
- Type of waste producer
- Waste collection system
- Type of municipality
- Waste fractions to be identified
- Associated fees
TYPE OF WASTE PRODUCER
We distinguish between a household waste producer and a commercial or industrial one. Needs related to traceability and disposal control are different and depend on the type of waste producer, so the technology that is optimal for one type of producer does not always suit another one.
In the case of commercial and industrial waste collection, the disposal of all waste fractions must be controlled, since not all activities produce all waste fractions. If we do not control all the waste fractions we will only have partial information. On the other hand, in household waste collection, controlling one or two waste fractions is often sufficient.
Moreover, it is also important to consider ease-of-use for the waste producer, as well as maintenance requirements, which largely depend on the type of end user.
WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM
It is evident that the optimal technology for door-to-door collection is not the same as for collection with an access-controlled container system. However, it is equally true that in each one of these systems some technologies adapt better to one model than to another.
For example, when we talk about door-to-door collection, it is important to consider when a high frequency is required, when it is better to implement low-frequency, the degree of vehicle accessibility, etc.
In the case of access control, an assessment of the lock that suits each container model best should be made, as well as whether it is necessary to restrict waste disposals to groups of users or to specific dates and timetables, forms of communication, etc.
On the other hand, models are becoming increasingly more complex because different collection systems can coexist in the same municipality, leading in turn to the coexistence of different hardware technologies integrated with each other.
In summary, the waste collection system largely determines and conditions the technology, since each system has specific requirements. Having proper assessment in this regard and access to technologists with integration capacity is essential to guarantee the model’s success.
The waste collection system largely determines and conditions the technology, since each system has specific requirements.
TYPE OF MUNICIPALITY
This is a key factor, particularly on account of the volume of users to be managed. In this regard, when we talk about technology, we are referring to the entire ecosystem, not just to the identification element in itself, meaning that we must consider the relevant requirements to guarantee the maintenance of user databases and associated materials, the monitoring and control of participation and big data analysis, the calculation of metrics and two-way communication with the user.
Guaranteeing that all of these aspects will operate properly largely depends on the number of users to be managed. In big cities or services with a large number of users, the requirements are more complex, as is the need for tools that can manage large volumes of data and users.
WASTE FRACTIONS TO BE IDENTIFIED
The waste fractions to be identified increase or reduce a project’s complexity. The greater the number of waste fractions to be identified, the greater the technological requirements will be. This complexity factor increases in the case of container locks, since the lock must be totally reliable when the intention is to control all waste fractions, as must the capacity to react to any fault or incident.
The waste fractions to be identified increase or reduce a project’s complexity. The greater the number of waste fractions to be identified, the greater the technological requirements will be. This complexity factor increases in the case of container locks, since the lock must be totally reliable when the intention is to control all waste fractions, as must the capacity to react to any fault or incident.
ASSOCIATED FEES
The new legal framework specifies that the waste fee must be prepared to include pay-as-you-throw and/or pay-as-you-participate systems, which totally conditions the technology to be implemented. In this case, and considering the experience gleaned in many municipalities and regions, there is a patent need to distinguish between hardware and software. The best provider of container locks or RFID tag readers is not always the best software provider and may not be in a position to implement pay-as-you-throw systems.
In this regard, this is where the need to generate synergies between technologists through integration becomes most apparent, with a view to guaranteeing that the best tools are available to tackle each one of the challenges and to guarantee the robustness and reliability of the databases and the calculations for the application of fees.
Synergies must be generated between technologists based on integration to guarantee that challenges are dealt with and to guarantee data robustness and reliability.
In summary, it is important to be aware of complexity when defining the technical requirements for the implementation of user-identification waste collection systems and of the need to have an ecosystem of technologies integrated with each other that guarantees that each one of the systems that may coexist in the same waste collection service will operate successfully. Technology vendors must be capable of facilitating the implementation of the optimal technology and of creating shared projects that yield long-term results.
ID·Waste employs expert consultants to analyse each service and participates in numerous projects in which the diversity of factors has prompted the coexistence of integrated technologies, showing that this is the way forward if we wish to guarantee a successful project across the board.
