What is the vision for the waste industry as we head into 2020 and the dawn of a new decade? Some areas that will be addressed are the ways to reduce waste and improve operations during routine garbage pickups, how to incorporate AI to improve efficiency, and how to increase health and safety in the industry.
Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence
What role does AI have in the waste industry? One area in particular is computer vision, a capability of AI that can analyze an object and categorize it. Computer vision is already being explored in other industries, such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. In a waste management application, industry insiders are exploring ways computer vision can “see” and classify waste at an intelligence level equivalent to a human. So far, computer vision is capable of negative sorting. That is, it can identify impurities in products, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in plastic, and remove them.
Improve Safety Practices
The International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in Transportation held its third annual conference in October 2019. The symposium was titled “Vision Zero in the Waste Industry.” The aim was to devise new strategies for improving safety and occupational health in the workplace. In 2019, there were 17 fatal accidents in the waste industry across the U.S. and Canada, according to the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), which described it as an “unprecedented uptick in fatalities.” In 2020, the vision should include new safety practice implementations.
Reducing Carbon Footprint
Garbage trucks are not the most fuel-efficient vehicles. They operate on diesel fuel and average only three miles per gallon. They also produce about 20 times the carbon emission of an average American home. Fortunately, improvements are being made as the industry explores electrification. One company called Wrightspeed is currently developing an electric powertrain for commercial trucks that utilizes a natural gas turbine engine. According to Wrightspeed founder Ian Wright, the goal is to convert the entire waste industry’s fleet across the country into electric-only trucks within five years.
We Provide Efficient Solutions
Big Truck Rental would like to be a part of your 2020 vision. Our waste management truck fleet can contribute to your daily operations and help achieve new milestones. Our inventory is comprised of the latest models; we continue to update our fleet as garbage trucks improve with the latest technology. Contact us today.