Over one billion tons of waste is generated globally from cities annually. More than $200 billion is spent yearly to tackle solid waste. However, there still exists a gap between the needed waste data and waste industry operators to effectively handle the ever growing twenty first century waste. This gap is more evident and exponentially increasing in developing countries.
There is the need for cutting edge solutions as highlighted in smart technology like the drone. Drones have been successfully used in diverse economic sectors for their versatility, efficiency and maneuverability. The recorded successes from the use and application of drones have elicited the need for more efficient and cost-effective ways of collecting and collating data in waste management industry.
With the global solid waste growth trend, there is an urgency for waste management companies, waste operators and consultants to be proactive. Technologies such the propeller driven unmanned aerial vehicle otherwise known as drone provides vast opportunities and solutions for the inherent waste problems that cities, states and countries face. The optimism is that drone technology would continue to improve over the years.
In the United States, some cities such as the City of Atlanta use drones to monitor landfills. Drones provide cost savings and efficiency compared to the use of manned aircrafts to take aerial photographs of waste disposal sites. The use of drones also eliminate and reduce emissions and other associated air pollution as well as accidents.
There have been successes globally at locations where drones are used for monitoring waste and dump sites. The Ibaraki city government in Japan uses drones to monitor illegal dumping of industrial waste and solid waste. Innovative waste consulting firms in the United States have also recorded significant results using drones to acquire data for planning and implementation of waste management strategies.
The use of drones for waste management would offer huge benefits to most developing countries where illegal dumping of waste is an everyday phenomenon. In cities where street dumping and several illegal waste disposal sites exist, the use of drones would provide immense benefits for both government and waste operators. This would help in monitoring authorized sites as well as acquiring data; volume, velocity and variety for planning. Large quantity waste generation locations such as open markets, beaches, undeveloped lands can be effectively monitored with drones.
Benefits of Drones in Waste Management
- Drones are very effective for taking aerial and real-time pictures of landfills, waste disposal sites, dump sites, pollution sites, gas leak, etc.
- Drones can be used to acquire or collect data for waste management
- Drones are cost-effective and more affordable means of data acquisition
- They guarantee data quality and integrity
- The versatility of drones can be customized to specific waste operations; volume, variety and velocity
- Drones can take high resolution pictures from impossible angles
- The provide very valuable volumetric data for planning and implementation
- Drones reduce GHG emissions or air pollution significantly unlike manned aircrafts
- Drones are remote controlled and equipped with high resolution cameras
- Drones can be used for continuous and period monitoring of waste sites and landfills
- Drones are unmanned thus reduce high cost associated with manned aircrafts