New ‘smart bins’ tap technology to monitor trash

SINGAPORE — Litter bins of the future could come with remote monitoring devices and sensors to track the amount of trash in them.

More bins could also have compartments for recyclable trash. They could also come in different colours to blend in better with the surroundings, and could also be nano-coated for easy cleaning.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is in the midst of gathering information on the design, supply as well as maintenance of litter bins in public areas, and details in its request-for-information document shed light on what future street bins could be like.

There are 7,000 of these green bins at bus stops, footpaths and other areas with high human traffic.

The NEA noted in its document that the bins’ material could be improved to withstand “prolonged inclement weather” and abuse via fires or cigarette butts.

They could also come in different colours and designs to “match the character” of areas such as the Central Business District (CBD) and tourist districts, it added.

The agency called for interested parties to submit indicative costs for 1,000 bins for the CBD and high human-traffic areas, 100 animal-proof bins, 1,000 bins with compartments for recyclable trash and 100 bins or holders for cigarette butts.

Observers told TODAY that improving litter bins could nudge up recycling rates and chances of the bins being used.

“Bins do not have to look dull and as though they are eyesores to the surroundings,” said Mr Jose Raymond, Executive Director of the Singapore Environment Council. “If the ‘new-look’ bins can capture people’s attention, chances are they may use them a lot more.”

Bins in places like MacRitchie Reservoir could have compartments for recyclable trash in addition to animal-proof features, suggested Public Hygiene Council Chairman Liak Teng Lit.

This would encourage more park users to recycle aluminium drink cans and plastic bottles after quenching their thirst.

The use of remote monitoring technology and level-sensing indicators could help waste collection companies to better plan collection trips, saving transport and manpower costs, noted Mr Eugene Tay, Director of sustainability consultancy Green Future Solutions.

Mr Raymond said “smart bin” technology has been used in many other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

“We are a small city and, with the way the waste collection system has been carved out, I don’t see any reason why the public waste collectors should not try out new technologies and methods, especially if it means they can end up saving on costs and resources, which can then be channelled to paying their existing cleaners better salaries, perhaps,” he said.

Such technology is presently piloted by Veolia Environmental Services on some recycling bins here.

Started in 2011 and funded in part by the NEA’s 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) fund to promote waste-minimisation and recycling, the project involves specially outfitted collection trucks weighing recycling bins fitted with radio frequency identification tags, and sending information to a database.

Workers also check for non-recyclables and offer advice to households.

Veolia was not able to provide an update on the pilot project by press time.

But observers stressed that the littering scourge ultimately boils down to social attitudes and human behaviour. The focus should be on improving public education instead of litter bins, said Mr Tay.

While it is good to look at better designs, “in Singapore, social norms, more than bins, need to change”, said Mr Liak.

Fewer bins are available in countries like Japan and South Korea but there is less littering, and litterbugs are more likely to be ticked off by others, he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s human behaviour and whether they are considerate or not.”