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Communities Turn to RFID to Boost Recycling
Each tag has a unique ID number linked to the name and address of the container's user in the township's back-end system. When the truck picks up a particular container, the reader on the lift captures its tag ID number and transmits that data via a Wi-Fi connection to a handheld PC onboard the truck. Simultaneously, the interrogator captures the ID number on the lift itself, indicating a container has been emptied. In that way, if a container tag is not read, the township still has information indicating that container was emptied at that specific location.
The handheld PC can then use its built-in GPS system to determine the longitude and latitude of the truck as the read data is captured. The PC employs a GPRS communication link to transmit that information to the Cranberry Township's back-end system, where Concept2 software interprets the location data. The back-end system then links to a Google Earth service, which provides the address closest to where that container was emptied.
In addition, the handheld PC can be removed from the truck and used to read a container's tag by hand, if necessary—for instance, if the truck's interrogator failed to read a container's tag—then utilize the GPS system once again to determine the truck's longitude and latitude, and send the location data, as well as the tag's ID number, to the township's back-end system.
Cranberry derives two primary benefits from the system: better tracking where recyclable materials were picked up, and identifying neighborhoods where recycling rates are low. If a customer complains that a particular container was not emptied, Franz says, the township can check its database to verify if and when emptying actually took place. It can also locate the truck's position in near-real time.
The township is using the data to determine the areas where recycling rates are lowest—for example, where residents repeatedly fail to put a recycling bin to the curb—then targeting those areas to provide additional education regarding the importance of recycling. The township currently has 25,000 bins fitted with EPC Gen 1 tags, Franz adds, and eventually plans to switch to EPC Gen 2 tags.
The handheld PC can then use its built-in GPS system to determine the longitude and latitude of the truck as the read data is captured. The PC employs a GPRS communication link to transmit that information to the Cranberry Township's back-end system, where Concept2 software interprets the location data. The back-end system then links to a Google Earth service, which provides the address closest to where that container was emptied.
In addition, the handheld PC can be removed from the truck and used to read a container's tag by hand, if necessary—for instance, if the truck's interrogator failed to read a container's tag—then utilize the GPS system once again to determine the truck's longitude and latitude, and send the location data, as well as the tag's ID number, to the township's back-end system.
Cranberry derives two primary benefits from the system: better tracking where recyclable materials were picked up, and identifying neighborhoods where recycling rates are low. If a customer complains that a particular container was not emptied, Franz says, the township can check its database to verify if and when emptying actually took place. It can also locate the truck's position in near-real time.
The township is using the data to determine the areas where recycling rates are lowest—for example, where residents repeatedly fail to put a recycling bin to the curb—then targeting those areas to provide additional education regarding the importance of recycling. The township currently has 25,000 bins fitted with EPC Gen 1 tags, Franz adds, and eventually plans to switch to EPC Gen 2 tags.
