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The areas around bottle banks are not always a pretty sight. These bins are often overflowing at busy times of the year, for example during events like the recent World Cup or at Christmas and New Year – something that can be really annoying for local residents. These images are to be banned from Stuttgart forever thanks to smart technology. This April, REMONDIS began testing a new digital system for the city’s bottle banks that automatically transmits information about bin fill levels – a system that should prevent the bottle banks from ever overflowing again.
bottle banks have been fitted out with the new sensor
All in all, there are 1,000 bottle banks at around 330 locations spread across the whole of the city and all of them have been fitted out with the new sensor. Every hour, this sensor uses ultrasound to measure the bin’s fill level and then transmits the data via a mobile radio network to a central office that is connected to REMONDIS’ branch in Stuttgart. If bottle banks are almost full, then the trucks’ collection routes are altered to make sure that the bins that need emptying are emptied. Other bottle banks that still have space available can be taken out of the collection route.
This new sensor technology, which REMONDIS Recycling GmbH has been developing together with the start-up company binando, is still in its test phase. Now that the system used to measure the fill level is working perfectly, preparations are underway to take a step further towards creating a ‘smart city’. The aim is for a self-learning algorithm to eventually be able to use the data to draw up the most efficient collection routes. The routes will then be transmitted straight to the drivers’ sat nav. “This combination would mean greater flexibility, security and transparency. We are doing everything in our power to ensure this system is successfully implemented across Stuttgart,” commented project manager, Marc Schubert. He also explained how the system should help highlight problem areas and make it easier to ensure the right bins are emptied at the right time. A long-term analysis of the data should also make it clear where new glass recycling locations need to be set up.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure this system is successfully implemented across Stuttgart.”
Marc Schubert, Project Manager at REMONDIS Recycling GmbH
This smart system – used to collect the approx. 12,500 tonnes of old glass thrown away in Stuttgart each year – will benefit both the locals and the environment over the long term. If REMONDIS and binando’s pilot project continues to progress as successfully as it has so far then up to 15% fewer collection trips will be needed, helping to ease the traffic congestion in the city. What’s more, it will also mean lower carbon and nitric oxide emissions across Stuttgart.