It is expected that total landfill capacity in the United States will decline by more than 15 percent over the next five years, as per the Waste Business Journal. According to this forecast, there will only be enough space in the landfill to store 15 years’ worth of waste by the year 2021. If they haven’t done so already, waste management businesses need to implement cutting-edge technology into their landfill operations in order to make the most of the space they have available to store waste.
At the 2018 Waste Expo, a number of innovative and exciting new technologies were shown. AI has started to make its way into a wide variety of different businesses, and the field of waste management is no exception. Robots can be taught to recognize garbage by being exposed to hundreds of different materials through the use of machine learning. Certain plastics can be distinguished by their shine, and robots are capable of recognizing emblems that identify the sort of material being used. Because of this, waste management facilities are able to sort through stuff m
ore efficiently than ever before.
The gathering of a wide variety of data is made much easier with the use of drones, which adds to the significant value that drones bring to the sector of waste management. Traditional ground-based collection efforts, such as those used at landfills, are ineffective, while hiring an aero plane complete with a crew and survey equipment is exceedingly expensive. Even with only one drone, it is possible to cover the entirety of the majority of landfills with moderate ease and obtain information about urgent problems, such as gas leaks, that require immediate attention.
The strain that is being placed on the landfill system in the United States as a result of changes in Chinese policy should serve as a wake-up signal to landfill operators everywhere. Waste management firms will need to find ways to accomplish more with less resources in order to sustain capacity in the years to come.
The Following Technological Advancements Are Great Approaches To Accomplish That Objective:
1. Drones Lengthen The Lifespan Of Landfills
Because of advancements in drone technology, landfills are now able to make adjustments depending on densities that are updated more regularly, which extends the lifespan of the dump. When shutting a cell for certain of our clients, we perform a scan on a monthly basis to ensure the highest possible level of precision. This helps us make the most effective use of the space that is available. Whether it’s 3D modelling or charting of groundwater systems, drones make it possible to acquire data at a lower cost. This is perhaps the most essential benefit they offer.
2. The Use Of Thermal Imaging Increases Overall Safety
Several landfills are constantly threatened by fire due to the flammability of the material they contain. The use of thermal imaging technologies can assist managers of landfills in locating hot spots and extinguishing the area before a fire can develop there. This is true regardless of whether the fire was started by sparks from machinery or by combustible materials brought in from the outside. It is also possible for this technology to put out underground fires, which would otherwise leak waste and contaminants into the air.
3. Leaks Are Avoided Thanks To The Cameras And Sensors.
Gas-detecting technology, such as sensors installed all throughout a dump or infrared cameras put on a drone, are extremely helpful to the managers of landfills. Even though gas is frequently collected and turned into energy, leaks still occur, which not only lower efficiency of energy production but also release potentially hazardous chemicals into the air. The managers now have a new tool at their disposal that can produce a safer & more productive landfill by using imaging technologies that can locate leaks.
All of the technologies that hold the promise of revolutionizing the management of landfills have a thing in common: they improve both the quantity & quality of the data that is available, allowing managers to make decisions that are both more proactive and more informed. When decision makers are equipped with geographical, thermal, and gas detection data, they can successfully moderate conditions rather than waiting for the problem to occur or making educated guesses about the state of affairs.
Landfills are guaranteed to grow to be more productive and efficient in the future as a direct result of waste management firms’ adoption of innovative technology such as those described below and others.