Smart Bins (Dublin - Ireland)

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County installed 401 Big Belly Bins for smart waste management. All containers are equipped with a solar power compactor (a solar panel powering a 12V battery that powers an internal waste compactor) and Wi-Fi to send a notification to the waste collection service providers when the waste sensors detect they are full.

Smart bins allow real-time monitoring of waste levels inside the containers, geographically locating the bins that need to be collected and schedule waste collection regarding the levels of garbage in the smart bins.

The sensors inside the container serve a double purpose: they detect waste levels to start the compactor when needed (increasing storage capacity to 800 litres of waste, which is about 6 to 8 times more than a traditional bin), and they use the wireless monitoring system to notify the waste department unit that it reached 85% of its capacity and is ready for emptying.

Some extra sensors can be installed in the smart bins for measuring air quality, and monitoring sound or travel times between locations. Free Wi-Fi in a 25m radius around the bin can also be provided with additional equipment.

Sources: 

http://smartdublin.ie/smartstories/smart-bins/

http://www.greendigitalcharter.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/FINAL-GDC-CaseStudies.pdf (page 48)