Across the US, the rise of the smart city is beginning to change the urban environments that we call home, building upon innovative technologies that streamline and improve the way we live. From transportation and energy management to public safety and waste collection, the smart city aims to provide better services, reduce our environmental impact, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents by harnessing data and automation to combat some of the negative aspects of growing urbanization.
As a technology-driven waste management company, the smart city is of particular interest to us, and we believe that technology has the power to revolutionize our waste management systems, allowing us to take back control of our trash and reduce municipal solid waste.
But how will the smart city and its sustainability innovations address the environmental issues associated with our waste generation? And which US cities are taking the lead? Here, we explore those questions and more.
What is a Smart City?
A smart city is an urban environment that uses technology to automate and streamline everyday infrastructure. It aims to enhance the livability and quality of life within cities for residents and visitors, improving services such as energy, transportation, and utilities through the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT). While the term smart city is intentionally broad, encapsulating today’s technology with one eye on future developments, it generally leans on the following core principles:
- Data-Driven — Data is a core element of the smart city, with real-time data collection feeding into systems that monitor and manage urban infrastructure. This data is then analyzed to make informed decisions that optimize city operations, improve public services, and enhance quality of life.
- Sustainable and Efficient — Smart cities aim to be sustainable by reducing their environmental impact and making efficient use of resources. This involves implementing energy-efficient systems, promoting renewable energy sources, and reducing waste. Sustainability initiatives include water management systems that monitor usage and detect leaks to conserve water, efficient waste management systems such as smart bins with sensors, and smart grids that manage electricity consumption more effectively.
- Citizen-Centric — A citizen-centric approach ensures that the technology and infrastructure developments directly address the needs and preferences of the residents. Smart cities also aim to provide platforms for citizen engagement, allowing residents to give feedback and participate in decision-making processes.
How Smart Cities Handle Waste Management
When it comes to waste management, smart cities aim to use the above principals to create more efficient collection, diversion, and recycling systems. They do this in a number of ways, and current technologies are already making their presence felt within the urban environment. Here, we look at some of the most promising innovations in the smart city and how they can impact our waste management processes.
Smart Bins and Sensors
IoT smart bins equipped with sensors can monitor waste levels in real-time, alerting waste management providers when bins are full to ensure timely pick up. This reduces the frequency of unnecessary pickups, reducing collection costs and carbon emissions, as well as having knock-on effects in reducing traffic congestion on busy city roads.
Automated Collection Systems
Automated waste collection vehicles use GPS and route optimization software to follow the most efficient collection routes to reduce operational costs and collection times. Some systems may include robotic arms for automated bin collection, reducing the need for manual labor and the associated dangers to waste workers.
Integrated Waste Management Systems
Through the collection of data, centralized systems can manage all aspects of waste collection, recycling, and disposal. These systems integrate data from various sources to build a comprehensive view of waste management operations across the urban environment. In addition, real-time monitoring and reporting help city officials make informed decisions that quickly address issues.
Recycling and Composting Initiatives
Smart cities promote recycling through easily accessible recycling bins with clear instructions, as well as sensors that can help monitor contamination levels and educate residents on proper sorting. In addition, composting programs are enhanced by tracking organic waste and providing residents with feedback on their composting practices.
Citizen Engagement and Education
While smart technologies and machine learning work behind the scenes to streamline infrastructure, citizen engagement and education are critically important if we want to improve waste management systems. The smart city enables this through mobile apps and online platforms that inform citizens about waste management practices and schedules.
Residents may receive notifications for collection days, recycling tips, and alerts for special waste disposal events, while public awareness campaigns educate citizens on the benefits of waste reduction and proper sorting. Taken together, this forms the basis of a potent smart waste management solution.
Top Smart Waste Management Cities in the US
The USA is a world leader when it comes to smart city development, and many of its major urban centers are already using smart waste management systems to tackle climate change and improve livability. Here, we look at 5 cities that have rolled out smart waste management initiatives.
San Francisco, California
As a zero-waste trailblazer and pioneer of innovative urban waste management concepts, San Francisco is already diverting 80% of its waste away from landfill and aiming to reduce solid waste generation by 15%. One way it is doing this is through the introduction of smart waste bins, installing thousands of sensors that monitor bin fill levels, temperature and fill rates.
This not only allows the city to ensure containers do not overflow, but the associated data collected over time helps reduce collections and guide bin placement top optimize trash collection. During the pilot scheme in 2018, there was an 80% decrease in overflowing cans, a 64% decrease in illegal dumping and a 66% decrease in street cleaning service requests.
NYC, New York
The Big Apple’s commitment to tackling its well-publicized waste issues are encapsulated in its goal of sending zero waste to landfill by 2030, alongside a range of other initiatives such as its plastic bag ban and its organics diversion program for businesses. In addition, however, two smart waste management technologies are aiming to finally rid its streets of the black plastic bags that have plagued the city for years.
Firstly, an automated side-loading garbage truck manufactured for the high-density streets of NYC is allowing the widespread use of waste containers to enable improved collection times. Secondly, data driven insights are informing the city of the types and size of containers that need to be assigned to each building are streamlining and optimizing collections and diversion.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
As part of its Pitch & Pilot initiative, Philadelphia has introduced numerous smart city programs that aim to streamline a variety of services. Among these are the Metabolic urban mining tool that analyzes construction permit data and trends to improve construction and demolition material salvage rates.
While salvage operations are already in place, the aim is to quantify supply and demand across the city and ensure that used materials are available whenever they are required for new projects. Not only does this reduce the amount of C&D waste that goes to landfill, but it also reduces reliance on new building materials and their associated carbon footprints.
Bay City, Michigan
Despite its diminutive size, Bay City in Michigan is also looking towards technology to improve recycling and diversion rates. Having previously upgraded its collection routes with 15,000 new 96-gallon containers, it is now embarking on a pilot to introduce AI into its fleet of waste trucks.
Including GPS, cameras, and computers installed on its fleet of trucks, artificial intelligence will check the contents of curbside containers and provide feedback to residents on their recycling habits. Ultimately, the goal is to provide education on efficient recycling, boosting diversion rates and ensuring less material contamination.
The Future of Smart Cities and Waste Management
As a technology-driven waste management company committed to building sustainable MSW systems that work for everyone, RTS is keenly focused on the smart city and how it can help clean up our planet. Our services already incorporate smart waste bins, insightful diversion metrics and data analytics, waste tracking and verification, and even reverse vending machines designed to incentivize recycling and engage the community.
In addition, while smart waste management is very much in its infancy, there is plenty of promise as connectivity improves and IOT technologies develop. Explore our case studies here and discover how our technology is driving the smart city of the future.