WasteIQ is a platform to monitor and track events, transactions, and movements in smart waste management. The system is integrated with smart containers and enables pay-as-you-throw business models.

How do we nudge our way to a better waste sorting system? How do we monitor the contribution of waste from households and business? And how do we create smart and data-driven logistics systems, where containers are only emptied when they are full? WasteIQ is a platform that integrates with modern digitised waste management equipment to enable a customised waste pricing model. The project originated in a collaboration between BIR (municipal waste management organisation in Bergen, Norway – see case #2) and digital startup, WasteIQ. The system runs the different stations for residual waste and recyclables in Bergen that are equipped with digital locks and sensors. Some of the inlets are also connected to an underground vacuum system that automatically moves the waste to a central collection terminal. WasteIQ has developed a system that gathers data, enriches it and distributes the data for different actors and technical systems. The IT system aggregates data on disposal volumes for individual households and businesses. It also provides an overview of containers’ waste levels and indicates when they should be emptied. Furthermore, the waste management system is capable of weighing and calculating each citizen’s waste consumption and utilises the data to enable an individualised payment system, to motivate reduction of personal waste levels. The bin stations have free sorting bins for plastics and cardboard. This further nudges Bergen’s citizens to sort their waste properly. The combination of smart containers, data collection and new economic incentives has so far decreased the level of general waste by 10% and increased the level of plastic collection by 29%. 

Read more about
the specific case

Read more about
WasteIQ