How Digitalisation is changing waste and recycling

Waste management is one of the UK’s fastest growing industries: worth over a billion pounds, the waste industry is a crucial part of the UK’s economic landscape and central to moving towards a more sustainable society.

Digitalisation means a move to technology and data to improve process and create an industry that Is smarter, more efficient and more sustainable. From the users of devices at waste collection points to sustainability professionals advising producers on their products environmental impact- every part of the supply chain and sector benefits from digitalisation.

4 ways digitalisation is changing the waste and recycling industry:

1. Collection and treatment of waste

The recycling process, particularly the collection, sorting and treatment of materials, is often labour intensive with a high risk of injury and contact illnesses: the digitalisation of waste management can boost how much we recycle by making the process cheaper, safer and faster.

From smart bins that sort waste automatically to data sets that track the quantity of waste available with exact locations- digitalisation is redefining the waste management process.

2. Recycling rates

As well, in digitalisation of the sorting process, the increase in digital waste tracking is revolutionising how we record the number of materials that actually get recycled. It allows for the industry to identify where process can be improved to work more effectively and ultimately recycle more.

When waste is being tracked effectively, from truck routes to tonnage, you’re able to see the full picture of what waste looks like in the UK and from that point, begin solving the environmental and economic issues associated with it.

3. Environmental policy

With accurate data gathering and recording, the government can adapt and develop policy that resonates with the reality of waste management and those who work in it. Robust, realistic policies help to create a more efficient and effective system.

4. Sustainability

There is an ever-increasing demand from consumers, environmentalist groups and governing bodies to create products and packaging that are greener: without accurate data recording on products and effective information sharing across the supply chain, meeting sustainability and CSR targets becomes unlikely.

Digitalisation and effective data recording empower companies to make informed choices around the environmental impact of their products. Businesses can capitalise on analytics by using the data to meet sustainability targets and become more socially and environmentally responsible. Software developments are being made constantly in waste and recycling, meaning that businesses can make measurable and meaningful change.