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Miami-Dade County, FL launches innovation challenge to optimize waste diversion
Miami-Dade County is facing a growing waste management crisis, with the county currently managing rising costs and logistical challenges like shipping trash north by train. To address this, the county has partnered with the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority to launch its fifth Public Innovation Challenge, offering at least $300,000 to startups that can propose innovative solutions to improve waste diversion and reduce recycling contamination.
Miami-Dade County, FL
United States
Chicago, IL launches recycling assistance app for residents
Chicago has introduced the Recycle Coach app to help residents manage waste and recycling more effectively. The app, available on Apple and Google Play stores, provides hyper-local waste management information, including schedules and a database on what can and cannot be recycled. This initiative is part of a broader partnership with the Illinois EPA and aims to reduce contamination at recycling facilities, increase landfill diversion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Chicago, IL
United States
Leduc, AB taps AI to keep plastic out of organics carts
Leduc has introduced smart technology to detect contaminants in waste, aiming to improve recycling and waste management processes. The system uses sensors and AI to identify non-recyclable items in waste streams, helping to reduce contamination rates. This initiative is part of the city's broader commitment to sustainability and enhancing the effectiveness of its waste diversion programs.
Leduc, AB
Canada
East Lansing, MI turns to AI to reduce household recycling errors
A 24-week pilot program with the city, Canada-based Prairie Robotics, The Recycling Partnership, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy used cameras on the mid-Michigan city’s recycling collection trucks paired with computers powered by artificial intelligence to collect household-by-household data on what people placed in their curbside recycling bins or carts. The program analyzes residents' recycling behaviors and provides customized feedback.
East Lansing, MI
United States
Louisville, CO adopts fully electric waste management fleet
Louisville has introduced the nation’s first fully electric garbage truck fleet, consisting of 25 vehicles designed to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the city while also cutting operational costs. The launch positions Louisville as a leader in adopting electric vehicle technology for municipal services, setting a precedent for other cities to follow.
Louisville, CO
United States
Boston, MA launches multi-agency action plan to reduce rodent population
Boston has unveiled a comprehensive Rat Action Plan aimed at reducing the city's rodent population through a combination of proactive measures and public education. Key strategies include increased inspections, enhanced sanitation efforts, and the use of modern technologies for tracking and addressing rodent activity. The plan also emphasizes community involvement and collaboration with local organizations to achieve long-term improvements in pest management.
Boston, MA
United States
Glendale, AZ uses vehicle telematics technology to streamline garbage collection
The City of Glendale employed telematics software to optimize the day-to-day collection of waste. This technology sped up and streamlined solid waste operations and kept vehicles on the road for only the minimum amount of time possible, which reduces wear and tear, emissions and saves money for the city. In the past, the department issued paper maps to every truck operator. Staffers sometimes drove routes themselves to ensure that drivers didn’t miss any part of their routes.
Glendale, AZ
United States
Surprise, AZ pilots 3D printing technology to reduce and reuse plastic waste
QBE North America has announced that the city of Surprise, Arizona, has been selected as the pilot site for an initiative aimed at helping cities and other sites reduce plastic waste. The initiative, developed by United Kingdom-based company Automedi, was the winner of the 2022 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, hosted by Boston-based Leading Cities in partnership with QBE North America.
Surprise, AZ
United States
Northern Beaches, NSW trials new methods for diverting engineered timber from local landfills
The one-year pilot with Kimbriki experimented with household collection, drop-offs, and manual recovery from landfills. Residents filled out a form requesting pick-ups for particle board, pallets, and other wood waste over 11 weeks. Kimbriki opened a source-separated collection point for discounted disposal and removed timber from their landfill. The gathered materials were sent to local manufacturer ReDirect for use in building materials and furniture.
Northern Beaches, NSW
Australia
Inner West, NSW aims problem waste disposal message at young residents with The CRC Rap
Council officials pursued a creative solution to the disproportionally low use of Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) by residents aged 18 to 34. A Recovery Projects Officer wrote lyrics for the song with staff from council teams participating in the rap. The CRC Rap highlights how the St. Peters and Leichhardt CRCs handle problem waste like electronic devices, paints, and batteries. Inner West placed the full song on its CRC page with a shorter version for social media posts.
Inner West, NSW
Australia
Oxfordshire County Council, GB addresses growing source of waste with Recycle Your Vape program
Oxfordshire, Oxford City, and Cherwell received £40,000 from Material Focus as part of the organization's Recycle Your Electricals effort. Residents can dispose of their single-use vaping products at 60 hot-pink collection spots in local shops and bars. The initiative adds dedicated bins for vape collection at seven household waste recycling centres. Recycle Your Vape also offers kerbside collection of vapes in Cherwell alongside rubbish and recycling.
Oxfordshire County Council, GB
United Kingdom
Cherwell District Council, GB
United Kingdom
+1Eurobodalla, NSW partners with Repurposing for Resilience on solar panel reuse project
A drop-off center at Moruya Transfer Station accepts panel drop-offs for free, thus eliminating the AUD 10 fee charged at other stations. RfR's volunteer engineers and electricians evaluate panels for potential reuse or recycling. Panels meeting the standards for reuse are distributed or sold at steep discounts with warranties to low-income households. The group repurposes non-functional panels into products like outdoor furniture and dog kennels.
Eurobodalla, NSW
Australia