Yes, absolutely! The era of overflowing public bins is gradually coming to an end, thanks to smart urban trash cans. These innovative bins are equipped with sophisticated fill-level sensors, typically using ultrasonic technology, to monitor waste accumulation in real-time.
When the trash reaches a pre-set capacity, the sensor triggers an alert. This signal is then transmitted via wireless networks like LoRaWAN, cellular (4G/5G), or even NB-IoT to a central cloud-based management platform. City sanitation managers can see a digital map of the entire network of bins, with color-coded indicators showing which ones need immediate attention and which are still empty.
This technology offers tremendous benefits. Waste collection routes become dynamic and efficient, saving fuel, reducing traffic congestion, and cutting down on carbon emissions. It also prevents the unsightly and unhygienic problem of litter spilling onto our streets.
Many of these smart bins are also solar-powered, making them self-sufficient, and some even feature compaction mechanisms to increase their capacity, meaning they need to be emptied less frequently. This is a prime example of the Internet of Things (IoT) making our cities smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable.