Company Profile: Enevo Offers Waste Collection on Demand
When was the last time you saw an overflowing trash can? Especially in the summer time trash cans on beaches, parks and other popular attractions fill up very fast and people are forced to dump their garbage next to the trash can. But what if the trash can could inform the waste management company that it’s full and needs to be emptied?
This is exactly what the Finnish startup Enevo wants to do. Collecting waste has traditionally been based on fixed routes and schedules. The waste containers are collected on a set schedule whether they are full or not. This causes unnecessary costs, poor equipment utilization, wear and tear on the roads and excessive emissions. Enevo wants to change all this with small sensors that measure the garbage levels so that the waste haulers know exactly when to go collect the waste.
Enevo has created wireless ultrasonic sensors that measure the fill-level of waste containers remotely and a cloud service to forecast when bins become full. Thanks to this service it’s easy to optimize the collection routes and schedules. The idea is that the waste trucks drive less while collecting more trash. The service also sends the user alerts and detailed reports regarding completed collections, upcoming collections and sudden changes in container fill-levels. The sensors can be installed on most containers. They work in extreme weather conditions, are water-proof and the battery life is over 10 years in optimal circumstances.
Enevo is transforming how cities and waste operators handle waste. The smart censors create significant savings. In addition, understanding the content of the waste bins allows for better recycling rates, which reduces the waste over time. Typically customers report a reduction of collections costs between 20-40%.
The company was founded in 2010. It has raised over $26M in private equity funding to date and continues to invest highly in R&D. Enevo’s headquarters are located in Espoo, Finland, with offices in the U.S., UK, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan.
Enevo’s customers are mainly in Europe, but the company’s sales and operations are growing rapidly in Northern America. There have been trials in New York and in the Vancouver area and the company has high expectations in the U.S.
“In my long career working in and around the waste industry, I’ve never seen a more intuitive technology platform than what Enevo can deliver. I’m excited about the positive changes Enevo can bring to any business serious about sustainability or in maximizing the efficiency of how they manage waste,” Ric Hobby, President and General Manager for Enevo North America says.
More information: http://www.enevo.com/