Improving and maintaining waste recycling rates is a key concern for any

local authority, which is why it is critical to have access to up-to-date information on collections, for both household and trade waste. Many councils already have in-house databases to log types of waste collected and to highlight recycling rates on particular rounds. However, many of these systems may be manually based, requiring extensive staff time in preparing reports, with the inevitable delay in collating information to aid management decision making.

Innovative technology from Bartec Systems is helping to revolutionise the speed and accuracy with which waste data is collected and analysed, providing a near real-time picture of recycling in local authorities, both street by street and business by business.

Bartec’s Waste Collector can be integrated with a council’s own customer relationship management (CRM) solution, aggregating all-round information into one single, easy-to-use, paperless system. Collection schedules, bin numbers and full histories of customer contact are readily accessible on one screen and can be viewed by collection, management and customer contact teams alike. This enables targeted service provision and prompt customer response.

One of the biggest challenges in recycling can be educating residents to separate rubbish into the correct bins, whether recycling, garden or general waste. Harrow Council is using the technology to help promote and increase recycling in the borough as part of an overall project that aims to make a financial saving of £3.1 million over

10 years. This includes reductions in fuel, paper and carbon emissions, encouraging maximum recycling and minimum landfill.

Each of Harrow’s refuse lorries has a touch-screen computer with GPS link between crews, managers and the council’s contact centre. Crews collect waste and log ‘contaminated’ bins that cannot be collected (e.g. plastic bags in a garden waste bin). The crews’ data is available at the contact centre within four minutes and the council’s CRM system can then automatically text or call each resident to explain why the bin has been missed. It is possible through geographical reporting to pinpoint which roads require assistance on refuse rules. From October 2009, Harrow has started to build upon the data to implement targeted marketing campaigns that deal with the problems identified.

From day one, Harrow reports that there has been high usage of the system amongst crews, leading to over 2,000 opportunities each week to talk to residents about improving recycling. This is helping to reduce the amount sent to landfill by 18.8 per cent, as well as reducing fuel consumption by as much as 15 per cent, creating the most efficient collection rounds possible.

Alan Whiting, Service Manager at Harrow Council, adds: “This technology lets me identify clusters of problems – from where residents need help understanding the rules to planning the best routes. It’s a really good use of technology. The crews really feel like they are part of the solution here, they can see how it will improve recycling rates and so are using the new system very enthusiastically.”

FURTHER INFORMATION >>

To find out more, contact Bartec Systems on: 01226 209209 or visit: www.bartec-systems.com

ADVERTORIAL

Local authorities can’t simply collect waste and recycling, they must also carefully record the data. Tim Hobbs, Director of Bartec Systems, explains how his

company’s technology can help

Revolutionising recycling data

Winter 2009 the Loop | 31