A pilot program at Tufts University tested sensors in trash bins to reduce collection frequency and costs. Sensors detected bin fill levels and alerted when trash needed pickup. Across 5 locations previously collecting 11 times weekly, the sensor-enabled schedule reduced collections to 6.5 times weekly, saving $198 in weekly collection costs. Locations like 66 Colby St went from weekly to on-call pickup every 2 weeks, significantly improving efficiency and lowering expenses of trash collection.

1. Reducing the collection frequency and expense
of trash collection with sonar sensors
Experience of semester long pilot testing at Tufts University in 2014
Project Leads: Dawn Quirk, Elizabeth Isenstein, Tufts University Facilities Department
Project partners: Save That Stuff, Inc. and Enevo
www.enevo.com
http://www.savethatstuff.com/

2. Improving Efficiency and Expense of
Trash Collection
• 5 test locations
• Before sensor installation
o 11 weekly pickups
• After installation
o 6.5 weekly pickups
• $198 weekly savings

3. Location Baseline Schedule Enevo enabled
schedule
Savings
66 Colby Street 1 time per week < 1 time per week, now
on call, approx 1 every
2 weeks
$22
Curtis Hall 2 times per week 1 time per week $44
Dame School 2 times per week 1 time per week $44
Hill Hall 4 times per week 2 times per week $88
Posner Hall 2 times per week 2 times per week $0
Totals 11 collections per
week
6.5 collections per
week
$198 per week
Improving Efficiency and Expense of
Trash Collection