1.5 Improving efficiency of waste collection and transport

Summary

This module explores factors affecting waste collection efficiency, offering strategies to enhance cost-effectiveness. Key points include optimizing bin placement and routing to reduce travel, minimizing loading times with technology, considering transport distances for transfer stations, selecting appropriate vehicles, reducing downtime, and emphasizing training for staff. Monitoring performance with tools like GPS trackers is crucial for continuous improvement. Effective communication with residents and waste generators is also highlighted for better service delivery.

Takeaways

• 🚚 **Optimize Routing**: Efficient waste collection starts with strategic bin placement and optimized neighborhood routing to avoid repeated road coverage.
• 📏 **Placement Matters**: Bins should be placed within 200 meters from houses to encourage waste disposal and ensure full area coverage.
• ⏱️ **Reduce Loading Time**: Implement automatic lifting mechanisms and kerbside collection to decrease the time spent on loading waste.
• 🔄 **Avoid Cross Traffic Turns**: Plan routes to minimize turns that cross traffic, especially for left-side driving, to avoid right-hand turns.
• 🚛 **Choose the Right Vehicle**: Select vehicles based on local availability, dimensions, body volume, payload, and crew requirements to match waste collection needs.
• 🔩 **Human Factor**: Even with advanced technology, the human factor in waste collection is crucial; ensure proper use of equipment like containers.
• 🚦 **Consider Transfer Stations**: For transport distances over 20 km, use transfer stations to switch from smaller to larger vehicles for cost efficiency.
• 💡 **Innovative Solutions**: Utilize technology like hydraulic tipping for unloading and GPS trackers for monitoring vehicle locations and performance.
• 🛠️ **Maintenance and Downtime**: Minimize vehicle downtime by relying on well-represented brands, having skilled mechanics, and conducting preventive maintenance.
• 🌐 **Communication is Key**: Establish open communication with residents and collection teams to address issues promptly and improve the collection process.
• 📈 **Monitor and Measure**: Use tools like GPS trackers and weigh bridges to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement in waste collection.

Q & A

What factors influence the cost efficiency of waste collection?

The cost efficiency of waste collection is influenced by equipment choices, time inefficiencies such as idle time, placement of collection points, routing, loading time, transport distance, vehicle selection, downtime, and staff training.

How can the placement of waste collection bins be optimized?

Bins should be placed at strategic locations and grouped together to decrease the truck's stop and go time, ensuring they are not more than 200 meters away from houses to encourage use by residents.

Why is it important to avoid turns that cross traffic in waste collection routing?

To increase efficiency, it's advised to avoid turns that cross traffic, such as right-hand turns when driving on the left side, to reduce time spent on maneuvering and potential delays.

What are some methods to decrease loading time in waste collection?

Methods include automatic lifting of containers, using hook containers with side openings, and kerbside collection with low loading heights.

Why is the positioning of a collection point with a hook container important?

The correct positioning of a collection point with a hook container is crucial for the use of ramps, which allow smaller vehicles to discharge into the container more easily.

What is the significance of transport distance in waste collection?

If the transport distance exceeds 20 kilometers, it's often more cost-efficient to use a transfer station where waste is transferred from smaller vehicles to larger ones for longer distance transport.

How can the choice of vehicle used for waste collection affect efficiency?

The choice of vehicle affects efficiency through its dimensions, body volume, payload, crew requirements, cost, and operation costs, all of which influence the cost per ton of waste collected.

What is the impact of vehicle downtime on waste collection efficiency?

Downtime, or the time a vehicle is out of service for repairs, reduces efficiency. Using locally well-represented brands and establishing well-organized mechanic workshops can help minimize downtime.

How can driver training increase fuel efficiency in waste collection?

Training drivers in fuel-efficient driving techniques can reduce fuel consumption by over 20 percent, thus increasing efficiency.

What role does communication play in waste collection efficiency?

Communication is crucial for reducing delays, providing feedback for improvement, and informing residents about new developments. It also helps in managing the vehicle fleet and addressing problems quickly.

How can monitoring and supervision improve waste collection efficiency?

Monitoring and supervision help identify bottlenecks, plan preventive maintenance, and streamline the collection process through the use of tools like GPS trackers and electronic on-board recorders.