Waste Collection Based on Fill Level, Not a Fixed Schedule
Collecting a container that is only one-third full costs much the same as collecting a full one. Waste container fill-level monitoring allows collection decisions to be based on actual container status rather than a fixed schedule alone.
A schedule does not know how full a container is
Fixed collection schedules work well when waste volumes are predictable. The problem begins when they are not. Holidays, seasonal demand, local events or changes in the number of residents can alter filling patterns from one week to another.
The operator then faces two types of error. Too early — a vehicle services a partially empty container while the collection cost remains. Too late — waste accumulates around the container, residents complain and an additional collection may be required.
Because the second problem is immediately visible, schedules are often planned with a safety margin. That margin also has a cost — it is simply less visible.
Measure instead of assume
iCober Bin Sensor measures the fill level of a waste container and transmits the data wirelessly. No cabling or external power supply is required at the installation point.
- wireless Time-of-Flight measurement
- battery-powered operation with LTE-M / NB-IoT connectivity
- enclosure designed for outdoor operation
- suitable for different container types, including underground and semi-underground containers
- fill-level measurement can also be integrated with access control when an iCober SAC is already installed
Detailed specifications, including measurement range, operating temperature and battery life, are available on the iCober Bin Sensor product page.
What the operator sees
In iCober Cloud, the operator can see the current fill level of each container together with its historical data.
The history is particularly useful because it shows how quickly individual locations fill up over time. This helps operators adjust collection frequency and identify locations where the current container capacity does not match actual demand.
Instead of treating every container in the same way because it appears on a fixed schedule, fill-level data can be taken into account when deciding which locations actually require service.
Use iCober Cloud or integrate the data into your existing system
You do not need to replace your existing route-planning process to start using fill-level data.
Measurements can remain in iCober Cloud or be transferred via API to the system the operator already uses. The sensors then become another source of current container-status data.
This makes it possible to introduce fill-level monitoring gradually — from a small pilot to a larger container network.
Where it is already in use
- Vinkovci, Croatia — 39 fill-level sensors deployed across the city to collect data on actual container usage
- MB Recycling, Poland — fill-level monitoring of e-waste containers supporting collection planning
For device specifications, see iCober Bin Sensor.
Questions we hear most
Does the sensor need a power supply or cabling?
No. It runs on a battery and sends data wirelessly, so the installation needs no mains and no wiring to the container.
Will it work in an underground container?
Yes. The sensor fits different container types, including underground and semi-underground ones — and there the measurement matters most, because you cannot look inside such a container from the street.
Do we have to change the system we plan routes in?
No. The data can stay in iCober Cloud or go through the API into the system you already use. To that system the sensor is simply one more source of measurements.
Can we start with a few containers?
Yes, and usually that is what we do. A small pilot shows the fill rate under your own operating conditions, and only then do we decide whether to scale up to a larger network.
Want to know which containers actually need collection?
Tell us how many containers you want to monitor and how collections are currently planned. We will help you determine where to start.