{"id":2049,"date":"2023-04-26T08:45:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T06:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.brainybins.com\/?post_type=cases&p=2049"},"modified":"2024-06-26T09:52:56","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T07:52:56","slug":"digital-monitoring-of-waste-containers-is-a-benefit","status":"publish","type":"cases","link":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/cases\/digital-overvaagning-af-affaldscontainere-er-en-gevinst\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital monitoring of waste containers is a benefit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Per S\u00f8rensen, the transport manager at Vesthimmer\u00adlands Forsyning, is a pioneer in the use of digital fill level sensors in waste containers. Per S\u00f8rensen was involved from the start in 2016, when the utility \u00adcompany began Denmark\u2019s largest installation in the field, and when he discusses with colleagues whether it pays off, there are no doubts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"It certainly can! We have continually freed up time to handle even more containers with the same resources,\" states the head of transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with all pioneers, there have also been challenges. The first generation of sensors from a Swiss supplier was a fine enough solution, but difficult to adapt to the wishes and needs of Vesthimmerlands Forsyning, which had installed them in 370 waste containers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responsible for water, sewage and waste throughout Vesthimmerland Municipality, the company reached out to the market and initiated a collaboration with the S\u00f8nderborg-based company Maacks. This led to the installation of 450 sensors from Maacks in 2019. At that time, they were based on ultrasonic technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vesthimmerlands Forsyning is constantly optimising the solution, and now the number of sensors is up to covering 700 containers. The latest generation of BrainyBins sensors is based on precise radar techno\u00adlogy, mounted at the top of the waste container and sending continuous data on fill level, temperature, etc. via the cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The fill level technology is now a mature technology in operation, especially with the latest generation of sensors using radar technology,\" says Torben \u00d8sterby, Sales Manager at Maacks ApS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Per
Per S\u00f8rensen from Vesthimmerlands Municipality demonstrates Maacks BrainyBins Radar sensor.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hands-on data for the transport manager<\/strong>
Between 6:30 and 7:00 pm, fresh data arrives for opera\u00adtions manager Per S\u00f8rensen from the 700 fill level sensors, and based on this, he spends 5-10 minu\u00adtes each evening planning the next day\u2019s operations. He likes to be updated, proactive, and have his \u201chands on the stove,\u201d as he puts it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The operations manager was curious about how the process would unfold, but according to Per S\u00f8rensen, the installation, activation and con\u00adnection to BrainyBins software via the cloud takes only about 15 minu\u00adtes per fill level sensor. Additionally, he spent a total of 15 minutes introducing and instructing the driver in the use of the BrainyBins app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Maacks is responsive to our software requests,\" says Per S\u00f8rensen, providing an example: \"We wanted the driver to manually enter his assessment of the fill level so that we could compare it with the BrainyBins report, and we have received that functionality.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has been proven that there is a very good alignment between the driver\u2019s assessment and the data from the fill level sensor. During the visit, the operations manager shows a current example, where the driver estimates the fill level to be 70 per cent, while the fill level sensor indicates 73 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Radar technology provides very precise reports on the fill level and is not disturbed by dirty lenses or similar issues,\" says Torben \u00d8sterby from Maacks about the solution for which a patent has been applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Emptying
Emptying report of cardboard from Vesthimmerland Municipality<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"T\u00f8mmerapport
Even though the loose cartons in the container can occasionally pose challenges, there is a good agreement between the BrainyBins measurement and the driver's assessment, states the emptying report for food and drink cartons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"T\u00f8mmerapport
T\u00f8mmerapport af dagrenovation fra Vesthimmerland Forsyning<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to Per S\u00f8rensen, it is important to get involved early in the process and continuously provide feedback to the supplier about one\u2019s needs in order to tailor the solution to the organisation\u2019s needs. If that\u2019s the case, there is not much to think about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Installing fill level sensors in waste containers and digitising monitoring pays off. I can only recommend other utility companies consider the same, today the installation and operation are smooth, so in my opinion, there is no reason to hesitate,\" concludes Per S\u00f8rensen, head of transportation at Vesthimmerlands Forsyning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The replacement with the latest generation of fill level sensors was completed by Vesthimmerlands Forsyning in late 2022. 450 of the sensors are replacements of existing units, while 250 sensors are installed in brand new containers in connection with the implementation of two new waste fractions and the splitting of two existing fractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that all of the municipality\u2019s waste sites are equipped with digital fill level sensors of the BrainyBins Radar type from Maacks. At the same time, the number of waste sites has been expanded to include the municipality\u2019s holiday home areas as a replacement for the traditional collection of daily waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution includes the BrainyBins software, specially developed for monitoring and administration within the waste sector, and an app developed for hauliers and drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Affaldsbeholdere
Waste collection point in a summer house area where all waste containers are monitored with BrainyBins Radar fill level sensors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

For Vesthimmerlands Forsyning, the radar-type fill level sensors have made it possible to introduce two new fractions and split two others without generating a need for extra transportation. The company still collects waste 3-4 days a week, just like before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Thanks to the 700 fill level sensors investment, we can handle the extra fractions without investing in another truck. Our truck drives 40-45,000 km a year, and the routes can be organised so efficiently that we can manage the extra fractions and the emptying of containers in all 90 waste islands,\" reports Per S\u00f8rensen, head of transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, the BrainyBins solution with software and fill level sensors has been a good investment environmentally and budget-wise, and, moreover, the citizens of the municipality now very rarely see an overflowing container in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Skraldemand
The driver is happy with the BrainyBins app where he can see the service route and the fill levels of each bin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denmark\u2019s largest installation of smart sensors for waste management<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Starting point Vesthimmerlands Forsyning<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n\n

\u2013 Waste collection points: 90
\u2013 Waste bins: 700<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Challenges<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n\n

\u2013 More precise measurements
\u2013 Wish for the driver to manually enter his assessment of the fill level
\u2013 Three new fractions, i.e., an expansion from 5 to 8 fractions
\u2013 Two existing fractions have been split up<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Sensors<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n\n

\u2013 Mounted sensors: 700
\u2013 Of which Ultrasound: 0
\u2013 Of which Radar: 700<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Software<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n\n

\u2013 Software: PickUP
\u2013 App: PickUP
\u2013 Requested expansion: Manual entry of fill level<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Implementation<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n\n

\u2013 Start 2019: 450 ultrasound sensors
\u2013 End 2022: Replacement of the existing 450 ultrasound sensors with new BrainyBins Radar sensors and implementation of 250 BrainyBins Radar sensors in new containers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Evaluation<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n\n

\u2013 Quick and easy installation of sensors - it only takes 15 minutes
\u2013 The measurements are more precise due to the new BrainyBins Radar sensor
\u2013 The driver can visually assess the fill level and enter the evaluation into the app
\u2013 Even though two new fractions have been added, the trucks are not driving more because of it
\u2013 There is more time for other tasks
\u2013 Citizens are more satisfied as the containers are not overflowing - fewer inquiries to the municipality
\u2013 Today, 700 containers are managed with the same resources that were originally allocated for 450 containers with fill-level sensors
\u2013 The system is available at any time as it is cloud-based<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":2058,"template":"","kategorier":[152],"class_list":["post-2049","cases","type-cases","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","kategorier-vej-park"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cases\/2049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cases"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cases"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cases\/2049\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"kategorier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brainybins.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kategorier?post=2049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}