A refuse collection system and method

• Main Author: PAUL TERENCE MCSWEENEY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.01.2013
• Subjects: CALCULATING; CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATERTREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT; COMPUTING; CONVEYING; COUNTING; DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS OR METHODS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORYOR FORECASTING PURPOSES; GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; STORING; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE,COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY OR FORECASTINGPURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE; TRANSPORTING

This invention relates to a refuse collection system and method in which there are provided a plurality of households, each having their own refuse bin, a control centre computer in communication with each of the refuse bins, and a plurality of collection vehicles in communication with the control centre computer. An RFID tag with information regarding the type of refuse is associated with refuse prior to the refuse being placed in the refuse bin. Preferably, the refuse is placed in a dedicated pod with an RFID attached thereto. The bin has an RFID reader that reads the RFID tag, determines what types of refuse are contained within the bin and thereafter transmits the information to the control centre computer. The control centre computer thereafter schedules the delivery of one or more types of refuse from the refuse bins and transmits a collection itinerary to a collection vehicle. Advantageously, third party logistics providers may utilize their backhaul capacity and operate as collection vehicles if desired.