Sigfox Operator Connected Baltics helped TVO to efficiently manage and make trash bin smarter using Internet of Things.
As more people are moving to cities, more waste is being produced. Managing waste is essential for building sustainable cities but it remains a challenge as waste management is expensive. The conventional way of manually monitoring the waste is inefficient and highly resource-intensive which can certainly be avoided with the power of IoT (Internet of things).
Connected Baltics and Tootjavastutusorganisatsioon (TVO) installed Sensdumpster sensors in waste containers across Tallinn for an efficient waste management project for a period of three months. Sensdumpster sensors are manufactured by SAYME and powered by Sigfox’s low-powered cellular network. The sensors were configured to provide a real-time indicator of the garbage level several times daily. The data collected from the sensors enabled TVO to know the level of waste in each container through a monitoring platform.
“TVO has more than 1500 packaging containers around the country. We collect packaging waste and most importantly organize the recycling of packaging waste. Our biggest concern is the environment, but also the costs of our operating activities. So, we asked our self a question of how can we be sure of what is the best solution to maximize our efficiency? This is hard to decide if we don’t have the correct data to support our decisions, so we decided to try sensors.
Information is today collected to have a better understanding of our container park and how it works. We need sensors to help us in making better decisions in terms of efficiency and cost reduction. Finally, it comes to planning the route, but also helps us decide about container size and a number of containers to achieve maximum efficiency. If we save more money by being efficient, we also save more environment and that’s what really makes the difference.” said Silver Tätte, Performance Manager of TVO.
Minimizes operation cost
The cost of traditional waste management is high as it requires spending on fuel, drivers hours, maintenance of vehicles and manpower. Sensdumpster provides information which can be used to plan an orderly route for trash collection from the areas where the bins are almost full. This innovative solution help waste management team to arrange their daily or weekly pick up schedule for reducing these costs as it optimizes operation and maintenance.
Provides a live monitoring platform
The regular approach requires a collection of waste from the bins without the knowledge of the fill-level in each and every containers. It is also time-consuming to check the status of waste bins in various locations. Sensdumpster enables the users in real time to know the waste levels in each container to indicate all the bins which require attention.
Reduces pollution
Presently, fleets of trucks are required several times during a day to collect garbage which is a pollutant system as these trucks expel emissions and require more fuel due to poor mileage. The efficient route plan from Sensedumpter is a way to have fewer trucks on the road which results in less fuel consumption, less air pollution, and less noise.
Detects fire
The fire alarm will be triggered when the temperature inside the waste container is increasing at a rate of more than 7ºC per minute.
Reliable, compatible, easy to install and requires minimum maintenance
Sensdumpster is a low power device which is compatible with any kind of waste and any type of containers and has more than five years of service life. It is easy to install and measures the level of waste by two ultrasonic transducers. Those transducers send an ultrasonic wave and through its echo time delay, the distance towards the first obstacle is recorded. The device can be set remotely to send the signal in every ten minutes or more. It also has alarms in case of fire, overflow, obstruction, leak and overturns. An overturn alarm will be triggered when the inclination of the sensing axis is more than 45ºC for more than 5 minutes, it usually happens when the waste container is not closed properly after emptying or if the bin gets tilted.
Connected Baltics & Sigox Network
Connected Baltics is the first nationwide IoT operator in Estonia that develops and markets Sigfox LPWAN solutions, enabling millions of connected devices to send short messages in a cost-effective and energy-efficient way.
Using Sigfox technology Connected Baltics offers and develops inexpensive and energy-efficient IoT sensors for different industries, helping organizations in Estonia to use LPWAN technology and the sensors both internally and internationally.
Tootjavastutusorganisatsioon (TVO)
TVO is engaged in assisting companies in fulfilling obligations arising from the Packaging Act. They collect packaging waste from both households and private households and share knowledge for the recovery of packaging waste.
TVO is active in informing the selection and recycling of packaging waste and contributes to creating a cleaner environment.
