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How The City of Edinburgh Council Transformed Waste Collection with 11,000 BrighterBins Sensors

Overview


Edinburgh, a historic and vibrant city, faces unique waste management challenges. With millions of tourists, busy commercial districts, and densely populated areas, keeping the city clean is a constant task. Overflowing bins, inefficient collection schedules, and rising operational costs were straining resources, leading to increased public complaints and environmental concerns.


To address these challenges, The City of Edinburgh Council partnered with BrighterBins, installing 11,000 smart sensors across the city. These sensors provide real-time bin monitoring, optimize collection routes, and reduce costs while ensuring a cleaner and greener Edinburgh.


Challenges Faced


Before implementing BrighterBins, the council encountered several persistent issues:


  • Overflowing Bins in High-Traffic Areas: Popular locations such as the Royal Mile, Princes Street, and festival venues frequently had bins overflowing before scheduled pickups.

  • Inefficient Collection Schedules: Fixed waste collection routes resulted in unnecessary pickups for half-empty bins while overfilled ones were left unattended.

  • Rising Operational Costs: Fuel consumption, labor, and fleet maintenance costs were increasing due to inefficient waste collection.

  • Environmental Impact: Excessive truck movements led to higher CO₂ emissions, contradicting the city’s sustainability initiatives.


The BrighterBins Solution


To tackle these challenges, The City of Edinburgh Council deployed 11,000 BrighterBins smart sensors across its busiest areas. These advanced sensors provided:


  • Long-Lasting Battery & Wireless Connectivity – BrighterBins sensors use LoRaWAN, SigFox, Narrowband IoT, and LTE CAT-M1 networks, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. With a non-rechargeable lithium battery lasting up to 8 years, maintenance needs are minimized.

  • Real-Time Fill Level Monitoring – Each sensor measures the bin’s fill level and transmits real-time data to the cloud. Adjustable measurement intervals allow for battery optimization and better resource planning.

  • Automated Alerts & Mobile App Notifications – Waste collection teams receive instant alerts when bins approach capacity, allowing them to service high-priority areas first, preventing overflow.

  • Route Optimization for Efficient Collections – BrighterBins provides static and dynamic route optimization, ensuring only full bins are collected, cutting down on unnecessary trips and operational costs.

  • Fire & Security Monitoring – The sensors detect fire hazards and bin tampering, sending alerts to waste management teams for immediate action, improving public safety.

  • Seamless Integration & Advanced Analytics – The BrighterBins platform offers API & Webhooks for integration with the council’s waste management system, allowing data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics for future planning.


Results Achieved


Since deploying BrighterBins technology, The City of Edinburgh Council has reported remarkable improvements:


  • 30% Reduction in Waste Collection Costs – Smarter routing and efficient pickups reduced fuel and labor costs significantly.

  • 50% Fewer Overflowing Bin Complaints – Real-time monitoring enabled crews to respond quickly, improving city cleanliness.

  • Lower Carbon Emissions – Optimized collections led to a substantial decrease in CO₂ emissions, supporting the city’s climate goals.

  • Increased Public Satisfaction – A cleaner cityscape and proactive waste management enhanced the experience for both residents and visitors.


A council spokesperson shared,


“With BrighterBins, we’ve taken waste collection from a reactive process to a proactive one. Our streets are cleaner, operations are more efficient, and we’ve significantly reduced costs while improving service levels.”


Conclusion


The City of Edinburgh Council’s collaboration with BrighterBins has set a benchmark for smart waste management. By embracing real-time monitoring, route optimization, and advanced analytics, the council is ensuring a cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly Edinburgh.


Looking ahead, the council aims to expand smart waste solutions to more locations and further integrate predictive analytics for waste reduction strategies

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