700 smart sensors will be placed in public litter bins across the city to monitor how quickly they are filling and alert environmental services crews to when they will need emptying.
This will ensure that bins do not overflow and allow teams to better target their waste collection visits to keep the city clean.
The targeted emptying will save money on unnecessary trips and fuel. It will also help to reduce the council’s carbon footprint by lowering vehicle emissions.
Data gained from the sensors will help environmental services to identify trends and create more efficient waste collection routes. The technology also includes a temperature gauge to alert teams to any possible fires.
The project has been made possible with £101,000 of external funding secured through the council’s smart city initiative. The initiative uses technology to improve service delivery and quality of life for city residents.
Sensors, which will be securely fixed, will be placed in bins across the city over the coming weeks, with work currently underway on installations. They are provided by SmartEnds, a smart waste management solutions company.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “This is a great way to use the latest technology to help keep Wolverhampton looking its best.
“The sensors will allow us to monitor bins across the city and make sure we can quickly deal with any that have been overfilled. They will also help us to provide a more targeted and cost effective emptying service that is better for our environment.
“By using the data provided by the sensors, we can continue to target resources where they are most needed and make sure we can keep our city clean for residents, visitors and businesses.”
