What the Project Is
MORE DATA. LESS WASTE. TRANSFORMING HOW ORGANIZATIONS MEASURE, REPORT, AND REDUCE THEIR IN-BUILDING WASTE. This innovative SaaS platform for workplace sustainability is acting as a catalyst for sustainability in the workplace. It is placing employees in action to reduce wastes by computing live data from customer workplaces, engaging people in smart waste reduction competitions, and driving a triple positive impact: Environmental, Social, and Economic. This platform is built to support offices, retail F&B, large venues, real estate, and higher education by utilizing cutting-edge technology to achieve sustainability goals without disruptive installations. With unparalleled visibility into waste at the building, floor, and even bin level, the system is accessible via both a user-friendly dashboard and a robust API.
Main Benefit
Spare-it Impact by the Numbers highlight the key achievements and strengths of this innovative system:
- 0 countries across 3 continents
- 0.3 million square feet monitored
- 0 tons of waste diverted from landfills
- 0 thousand people engaged in sustainability
These figures demonstrate a proactive approach to waste management that not only identifies waste with precision but also tracks progress across multiple scales – from individual bins to entire building portfolios.
Technology to Drive Sustainable Action
At the heart of this project lies technology designed to drive sustainable action. The Spare-it platform combines smart scales and an intuitive mobile web app with advanced API capabilities to deliver precise weight data and visual waste analysis. Smart scales are installed discreetly underneath existing waste bins, capturing real-time data transmitted through wireless gateways. This seamless integration means that internal approvals are swift and the system can be deployed across entire facilities in weeks—not months. The setup eliminates the need for intrusive camera installations or the rearrangement of spaces. The real-time data, visible through dynamic dashboards, fosters an environment where sustainability is a collective effort, with progress tracked and shared easily.
Smart Scales & Mobile Web App
Smart scales are the unsung heroes of this sustainability project. While images from the mobile web app offer a visual perspective, these battery-operated scales deliver the precise weight measurements needed for reliable reporting. Placed innovatively under waste bins, the scales work in tandem with the app, where employees capture images of bin contents at regular intervals. The real-time photo analysis powered by artificial intelligence ensures that contamination can be detected swiftly and accurately. This mobile approach, combined with modern IoT connectivity, creates a transparent view of waste data that helps pinpoint errors, significantly reduce waste, and ultimately reduce costs—all without disrupting the everyday workflow.
AI-Powered Waste Analysis
The project also leverages AI-powered waste analysis to transform raw data into actionable insights. The upgraded photo recognition technology detects contamination faster and with remarkable accuracy. It supports operational excellence by allowing for quicker corrective actions and more efficient waste management practices. This advanced analytical process is embedded in the platform’s user-friendly interface, ensuring that even with complex data trends, the insights remain accessible and understandable. The integration of real-time analytics encourages a dynamic response to potential waste issues, turning data into a real-time conversation about sustainability that resonates across large organizations and individual teams.
Project Impact
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Sustainable Future
The impact of this project extends far beyond waste management. With an ethos that emphasizes environmental, social, and economic benefits, the platform is turning the challenging goal of zero waste into a team sport, encouraging every member of an organization to contribute. Real-time progress displays and interactive leaderboards in common areas foster a culture where every step towards reducing waste is celebrated. The initiative’s focus on providing affordable, scalable, and non-invasive solutions underscores its commitment to a more circular world—one building at a time. Casual and engaging in its approach, the platform speaks the language of modern technology and old-fashioned accountability. Employees and stakeholders alike can witness changes as they happen, all thanks to an ecosystem that champions sustainable action with a conversational tone and dynamic spirit… making sustainability not just an obligation, but an exciting and engaging journey.
