With increasingly high focus on environment and sustainability, use of technology for better cleanliness measures like keeping the neighborhood clean, keeping water sources uncontaminated, soil health monitoring etc, is of utmost importance. Timely and regulated waste management is a crucial step in that direction.
Various technology based innovations can be introduced to handle waste in a city or in an industry. Use of internet of things (IoT) particularly RFID (radio frequency identification) is one of the most efficient ways to do so.
What is RFID?
In simple terms, RFID is a wireless technology that is capable of identifying and tracking objects or individuals through radio frequency signals.
An RFID system comprises of an RFID tag, an RFID reader and an antenna.
To implement RFID system in a waste management operation you need to tag waste collecting vehicles and sites with RFID tags, encode the tags with required data and install RFID readers at various crucial intersections.
Whenever the RFID tag is in the range of an RFID reader, the RFID tag transmits the encoded data using the antenna to the reader which then decodes it for the end user.
An RFID control system or RF subsystem also needs to be there to control and to keep records.
RFID tags in waste management:
Many cities and counties, not only in India but also in foreign nations are introducing RFID system for waste collection and waste management.
Recently, Indian city of Gurugram in Haryana introduced RFID tags in door-to-door waste collection. The idea behind it was to tag each house with RFID tags and to ensure that the waste collection truck comes regularly, keeping the neighborhood clean.
Waste segregation is also an important factor in waste management and RFID can help monitor the waste segregation at various segregation sites.
What kind of RFID tag is ideal for waste management?
Passive UHF RFID tags are a cost-effective and efficient option for waste collection and management. It is so because Passive UHF RFID tags offer a read range of up to15m and don’t need a clear line of sight for scanning purposes. Additionally, these RFID tags are inexpensive, which makes the implementation a cost effective operation.
Environmental Benefits of RFID Tags in Waste Management
Now coming to environmental benefits of RFID tags in waste management; there are many. RFID provides an efficient identification and tracking of waste collecting units along with garbage trucks and workers.
The environmental benefits are huge. Let’s see how:
1. Clean neighborhood
Use of RFID tags in waste collection and management leads to a clean neighborhood. Regular door-to-door waste collection will ensure that people are not forced to throw garbage here and there and it will keep the streets and parks clean.
2. Improved Air Quality index
RFID ensured waste collection will also ensure that air is not being polluted. Many people tend to burn collected waste/garbage for the lack of a waste management system, effectively polluting the environment. This can be prevented.
3. Clean water sources
Ensuring a clean water source and clean water supply is very essential and RFID can help in this regard. RFID enabled waste monitoring can ensure that none of the waste collection and segregation units are near a water source. It will also monitor if waste is being disposed off near a water source instead of its designated place.
4. Enhanced soil health
Proper waste management will also help improve the soil health. RFID can keep track of waste segregation and movement to ensure that waste/garbage doesn’t stay at a place for months. If that happens, the waste will start decomposing and ruin the soil eventually. For instance, Avery Dennison, TripleR, and Aquinos Group announced forming a partnership on 17th January 2024 to reduce 1 million mattresses ending up in landfills using RFID tags. Special RFID tags will track materials for easy recycling, and consumers can dispose of their old mattresses responsibly.
5. Less plastic in the environment
Timely waste collection and segregation will ensure that plastic is correctly recycled and chemically disposed off. RFID when used in tandem with CCTV, can help in this regard by allowing you to identify and track all waste segregation work.
Less plastic in the environment will keep the environment clean and provide a safe place for birds and animals as well.
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