How Quatra Transformed Cooking Oil Collection with BrighterBins Smart Sensors

Overview

Quatra, a leading provider of cooking oil collection and recycling services, manages thousands of collection points across Europe. Their challenge? Unpredictable oil disposal patterns, inefficient collection routes, and high operational costs. Some collection tanks were emptied too soon, while others overflowed before the next pickup, leading to wasted trips and lost revenue.

To solve these challenges, Quatra deployed BrighterBins smart sensors in 5,000+ cooking oil collection tanks, enabling real-time tracking of oil levels, automated scheduling, and optimized collection routes. The result? 30% lower operational costs, reduced emissions, and a more sustainable oil recycling process.

Challenges Faced

Before implementing BrighterBins, Quatra faced several inefficiencies:

Inconsistent Collection Schedules – Without real-time data, trucks followed fixed routes, often arriving at tanks that didn’t need servicing while missing others that were full.
High Fuel & Labor Costs – Wasted trips resulted in higher fleet operating costs, fuel consumption, and unnecessary CO₂ emissions.
Overflows & Service Delays – Some tanks overflowed before scheduled pickups, leading to environmental hazards and customer dissatisfaction.
Lack of Data Visibility – Manual tracking methods made it difficult to anticipate demand and optimize logistics.

The BrighterBins Solution

To modernize its operations, Quatra installed 5,000+ BrighterBins smart sensors across its cooking oil collection network. These sensors provided:

Smart Sensor Technology – Ultrasonic sensors precisely measure oil levels and transmit data via LoRaWAN, SigFox, Narrowband IoT, and LTE CAT-M1 networks, ensuring uninterrupted communication.
Long-Lasting Battery & Durability – Each sensor is powered by a non-rechargeable lithium battery lasting up to 8 years, reducing maintenance needs.
Real-Time Oil Level Monitoring – Sensors continuously track oil levels and send automated alerts when tanks approach capacity, preventing overflows.
AI-Driven Route Optimization – BrighterBins’ smart routing prioritizes full tanks, reducing unnecessary trips and improving fleet efficiency.
Seamless Integration & Analytics – The BrighterBins platform integrates with Quatra’s existing logistics system via RESTful API & Webhooks, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Automated Alerts & Mobile App Access – Collection teams receive real-time updates through the BrighterBins mobile app, ensuring efficient scheduling and faster response times.

Results Achieved

Since implementing BrighterBins, Quatra has seen measurable improvements:

30% Reduction in Operational Costs – Optimized scheduling reduced fuel, labor, and fleet maintenance expenses.
25% Fewer Unnecessary Trips – Dynamic routing eliminated inefficient collections, leading to lower emissions.
Improved Service Reliability – Automated alerts ensured on-time pickups, reducing the risk of overflows and service disruptions.
Enhanced Sustainability – Fewer miles driven meant a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, aligning with Quatra’s commitment to eco-friendly recycling.

Quatra’s Managing Director, Piet Van Pollaert, stated:

“BrighterBins has revolutionized how we manage used cooking oil collection. We now have real-time insights that allow us to plan smarter, optimize resources, and improve sustainability.”

Conclusion

By leveraging BrighterBins’ real-time monitoring and AI-powered optimization, Quatra has transformed its cooking oil collection into an efficient, data-driven process. The company now plans to expand its sensor network and explore predictive analytics for even greater efficiency.