Wastequip builds electronic monitoring devices into collection units

Waste and recyclables collection is becoming increasingly high-tech thanks to radio frequency identification devices (RFID), such as those which Wastequip is building into its Toter residential and commercial waste collection units. The company's RFID technology tracks containers and integrates with comprehensive automated vehicle locator software designed to increase the efficiency and the quality of waste collection.   

“RFID devices attached to waste collection units open up a wide array of opportunities to enhance efficiency, improve customer service and introduce new features and benefits for customers,” said Jim Pickett, vice president of municipal sales with Toter, a division of Wastequip.   

“At the residential level, an RFID device could be used to monitor recycling activity by individual homeowners with a goal of increasing recyclables collections,” he said. “For commercial units, an RFID device can be used to monitor collection activity to verify that customer collection commitments are being met. It also has the potential for linkage to automated weight reporting.”

The RFID technology from Wastequip has been integrated into automated vehicle locator software from DesertMicro, which includes Global Positioning System (GPS)-based vehicle tracking, computerized vehicle monitoring, as well as automated monitoring of vehicle performance sensors. The integrated system provides waste collection companies with powerful new management tools.   

“The Smartway III RFID system is moving waste collection automation beyond route optimization. Smartway III users are servicing more customers, in less time, with greater accuracy. This is a very attractive combination for any waste and recycling program,” said Barry Grahek, president, DesertMicro.  “A low cost RFID on each container improves efficiency by automating service verification while tracking these assets in the field. Combining this with a route optimization system, and GPS vehicle tracking, along with the customer management database, and you have measurable improvements across many areas.”  

At this past May's Waste Expo in Atlanta, Wastequip displayed a range of new products, besides their Radio Frequency enhanced collection systems, including a loaded container hauler for highway transport, a bear-resistant cart, a 21-gallon cart for single stream recycling, a new e-commerce site for replacement parts, an upgraded compactor, and the redesigned model 6030HD vertical baler.

Wastequip is a North American manufacturer of waste and recycling equipment with an international network of 26 manufacturing facilities and an extensive dealer network. Wastequip’s broad range of waste and recycling equipment and systems are used to collect, process and transport recyclables and solid or liquid waste. The company’s brands include Wastequip, Toter, Galbreath, Pioneer, Accurate, Cusco, Mountain Tarp and Parts Place. The Toter division offers a full line of rotomolded plastic carts and front load containers for a variety of applications.    

DesertMicro provides integrated software for the waste and recycling industry to streamline operations from customer management, through dispatch, routing, and weighing, to billing and revenue management. With an established base of over 1,100 installations, DesertMicro has been dedicated to providing "software that hauls" since 1986.   

Wastequip   www.wastequip.com and www.toter.com.   

DesertMicro   www.DesertMicro.net