Demonstration of a contactless waste collection system: A Japanese case study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for social distancing and improved sanitation to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. In the waste management sector, protecting the safety and health of waste collection labourer has become a priority. In Japan, the labour shortage problem and ageing demography have intensified the need for contactless waste collection technology. This study responds to this need by reviewing the global practice of smart waste collection technologies and observing the situation of the Japanese waste collection system through participant observation. Based on the identified trends and status, the authors developed a contactless waste collection system and tested it on an actual working site. The demonstration showed that the system could safely lift a 700 L waste container containing 212 kg of waste to the collection truck without human contact. Labourers can be reduced from 2 to 1 person to operate the collection truck. This study also discovered the smart bin's potential to motivate the reduction of packaging waste consumption.