Before, we didn’t know when trash bins were full. Now, we know in real-time the fill-level of each bin thanks to Ecube. Since we’re able to quickly take action before any problem occurs, there are no longer any issues with garbage overflow.
Welfare & Environmental Bureau
Seoul Metropolitan Government
Bukchon Traditional Village is a popular tourist attraction for its rich history in Seoul. It is home to hundreds of traditional houses dating back to the early 1900s, serving as cultural centers, restaurants and tea houses. There are also modern cafes that draw both the old and young along with a growing number of tourists. But at the heart of Bukchon it still functions as a residential area. The influx of tourists, both domestic and international have directly led to an increase in resident complaints. The main issue stems from the amount of overflowing waste. The discontent of residents has escalated in recent years without much resolution.
In order to solve this problem, the City of Seoul engaged Ecube Labs to install CleanCAP fill-level sensors in the area. Because the trash generation rate varies depending on the location and type of waste, installing fill-level sensors only in trouble spots would not completely remedy the waste problem. Taking a holistic approach, city officials requested the CleanCAPs be installed on every trash bin. This would enable staff members to make data-driven decisions while managing individual bins for collections.
The CleanCAP is an ultrasonic level sensor that measures the amount of trash in waste bins. It can be attached to existing receptacles/containers to detect any type of trash. For instance in Bukchon, the CleanCAPs were installed on 3 different types of waste bins. “Although we, at first, were worried whether the sensors could be installed in all bins because of their various shapes, the installation was much easier than expected,” said an official in Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Waste Division.
The installation introduced a whole new level of waste collection efficiency. The collection staff can go out to the field knowing which locations to visit ahead of time. As a result, the number of unnecessary collections were reduced and collection costs fell by 43%. This is possible through the utilization of CleanCityNetworks (CCN) to figure out optimal collection routes.
Cost reduction benefit aside, the deployment of the waste bin sensors consequently led to immediate positive feedback from local residents because of the dramatic decrease in the amount of garbage on the streets. As a major tourist attraction, they can proudly showcase the neighborhood’s heritage without worrying about overflowing trash. Local citizens and tourists alike can enjoy a more sustainable and cleaner environment for years on end.
Noticing Ecube’s smart waste solution’s positive impact on residents, tourists, and the waste division staff, Seoul decided to deply more CleanCAPs. The next pilot is expected to take place in Hongdae, an arts and music district, for an additional 100 trash cans.
October 2017
