Waste management is no longer a buzzword. Dealing with hazardous waste on a daily basis is a serious issue. It is a challenging task that involves following government rules and systematic procedures like waste segregation, checking the waste for toxins, and choosing the appropriate waste disposal method.
It is a huge process, and managing it requires the ongoing attention of competent professionals. So we turn to outsourcing to make sure we have the experts we need. As a result of this intricate work, waste management services are on the rise.
But how do waste management companies manage such an involved process? What procedures do they follow to handle the complexity that comes with managing waste?
Technology!
Technology is a game changer in the waste management industry. Start to finish, technology has helped to streamline the whole waste management process. If you want to know how the waste management industry embraces changes in technology, you should read this article. From problems to solutions, we have discussed the benefits of using smart devices and high-end tech tools to amplify the waste management process.
Why is technology a boon to waste management?
Traditional waste management methods take time and effort. Historically, critical administrative operations like tracking waste collected and disposed of were performed manually using a logbook and spreadsheets.
The absence of technological features like real-time tracking, analytics, and reporting causes delays in communication and results in employees not knowing what is happening in the field. The demand for waste management services continues to increase overall, which only decreases the viability of more traditional practices that involve manual processing. By adopting technological solutions, the waste management industry will benefit from:
- Time savings
- Reduced costs
- Increased sustainability
- Improved efficiency
- Increased transparency
Smart waste management technologies
The benefits of using technology in waste management are numerous. Unfortunately, many waste management companies are unaware of these many advantages and are still using manual processes.
If you are one of these companies that have yet to incorporate smart technologies, we assure you their adoption will save you time and make growing your business much easier. Consider the following technological solutions:
- Smart waste bins
- E-waste kiosks
- Solar-powered trash compactors
- AI sorting and recycling
- Waste-specific software
1. Smart waste bins
Problem: Sorting waste and insufficient storage capacity of the waste bins.
Sorting waste is a burdensome task for workers in the field. People usually don’t bother learning the color codes associated with waste management. This brings out the fact that sorting waste is still a time-consuming task. Additionally, there is a need to know when a trash bin is full; not knowing this can lead to inefficiency in dealing with waste disposal by requiring the collection of garbage more frequently than is actually necessary.
Solution
Smart waste bins make the waste management process easier and quicker. They separate the waste based on type by using object detection. By compressing its contents, smart bins are able to maximize the amount of waste each load contains. When it is time for a pickup, the smart bin can notify a field service team—minimizing unnecessary trips to a service site. In addition to sensing objects and space available in the bin, smart bins are also able to detect fire and the presence of unexpected objects, such as hands and fingers.
Advantages
- A reduced workforce and fewer wastebins required
- Automation of sorting.
- Maximized usage of the bin capacity
- Reduced service frequency required
- Advanced notifications allow workers to optimize their routes
2. E-waste kiosks
Problem: Disposing of hazardous electronic waste in landfills.
The issue of electronic waste is entirely different. A report by the EPA says that the United States disposes of over 60 million e-waste every year. Looking at the technological advances we have already made, it is clear the amount of eWaste will only grow in the coming years. Hence disposing of them may not be a good option.
Solution
E-waste kiosks provide an effective recyclable solution for e-waste disposal. Instead of dumping hazardous heavy metals, you can recycle them in nearby kiosks and get paid for the value of your contribution.
Advantages
- Sustainable as a solution to e-waste disposal
- Prevents pollution of land and reduces health risks
3. Solar-powered trash compactor
Problem: Low storage capacity of trash bins.
Collecting and replacing trash bins is an expensive process. It is not possible for garbage workers to empty the trash bins with the frequency that might be required.
Solution
Solar-powered trash compactors can compress the trash in bins to five times their normal capacity, reducing the frequency required for a bin to be emptied.
Advantages
- Efficient use of bin capacity
- Reduced servicing for garbage collectors
- Fewer bins required for the same amount of garbage
4. AI sorting and recycling
Problem: Time-consuming manual sorting and recycling of waste
Because of the need to identify and sort recyclable waste and the lack of workers to perform this task, a significant amount is winding up in landfills. This is a huge problem for the waste management sector.
Solution
AI sorting and recycling help waste management companies address this issue and save money in the process. AI-powered robotic hands automatically identify waste that can be recycled and sort it appropriately.
Advantages
- Improved efficiency
- Eliminates human intervention
- Improved recycling process
- Faster and more efficient than manual processing
Role of field service technology in waste management
So far, we have looked at the benefits of using smart technologies like E-waste kiosks, AI waste recycling, and smart waste bins. These smart technologies all offer partial solutions to the problems of waste management.
But field service management software addresses almost all problems of waste management. They can help you with
- Trash pickup and disposal of waste
- Route optimization
- SLA tracking
- Administrative work
- Proof of fulfillment details
- Financial constraints
Trash pickup and disposal of waste
Waste management is a big business. You can easily automate and optimize complex waste management operations using the schedule and dispatch board in our FSM software. FSM manages everything smoothly, from creating jobs to assigning them to the nearest garbage cleaners and truck drivers.
Administrative work
Automation and digitization are the true strengths of FSM software. FSM software gives your administrative team an easy way to update workers in the field and simplifies communication.
Route optimization
Using GPS-enabled FSM software, your drivers will be able to optimize their routes, saving both time and gas. The best route to the next call will be provided based on their current location and traffic patterns. If a driver’s schedule is updated with new jobs or is reordered for some reason, this new information is synced automatically, and appropriate routing to the “new” next job is provided.
SLA tracking and monitoring
Real-time monitoring and tracking are other advantages of waste management. With an overview of the entire operation, the in-office team will feel more connected to the field team. This helps the support services monitor the field team and answer customer questions quickly.
Proof of fulfillment details
Proof of fulfillment is an essential part of the waste management business. Once a job is completed, you will need a signature from your customers. Sometimes, you will have to upload images of the trash bins. With FSM software, these can both be done from the convenience of a mobile app installed on a phone or other device. Additionally, the software allows adding custom fields and checklists.
Financial constraints
Finally, financial constraints are a problem in every business. Waste management is no exception. Hiring workers for waste management will cost a lot; investing in technologies like smart waste bins is also expensive. Using field service management software, however, is a one-time cost, and an investment that has the potential to eliminate 90% of the problems in waste management.
Technology is the future of waste management
Technology can be a significant benefit to owners of waste management companies. Though they are on the expensive side, they offset the cost spent on hiring a large workforce. With technological solutions in place, management of your waste management operations will become more efficient and allow for faster resolutions.
Making sure that your business has technological solutions that are right for your use case is important. Poorly chosen solutions will not be ineffective or remain unused. Choose carefully when making a new purchase. We suggest trying field service management software that allows a trial period to see if it addresses the problems of your waste management business.
Find out if FSM management software is the right solution for you, reach out for a free demo of Zuper’s field service management software.
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