The challenges of waste container access management include

• Access authorization for eligible users
• Access prevention or revocation for non-eligible users
• Dynamic access rights management and administration (traditionally achieved through distribution, replacement, and retrieval of physical keys)
• Prevention of waste stream contamination
• Creating awareness of user responsibility and accountability

With the advent of "smart" mobile technology to the waste industry, a new tool for digital waste container management is now available. A system will be presented that features an electronic container lock, an App for dynamic management of container access rights using a mobile phone, and a Data Backbone to provide traceability and accountability of user activities. The paper will highlight new functions, benefits, and opportunities that can help to solve the challenges addressed above.

In particular, we will elaborate on

• benefits of locked containers in general
  • prevention of unauthorized access
  • prevention of contamination through traceability
• App-based Registration and deregistration of users or user groups through administrators
• remote operation and control of a lock on a container via mobile phone app
• options for standalone operation of a container lock through definition of time-scheduled opening and locking periods of a container during/after business hours, using a mobile phone app
• standalone operation of the bin lock in the presence of a collecting truck
• integrated alarm and bidirectional messaging functions
• tailored communication between user, collector, municipalities and other stakeholders regarding all matters of waste collection via mobile phone app
• data accumulation on user preferences and characteristics, managed in a centralized data base

The second part of the presentation will focus on real-world experiences and data gathered in field-tests in Europe over an extended period of time, with emphasis on reliability under adverse conditions (e.g. battery lifetime at high/low temperatures), and user feedback. The session will conclude with an outlook into the future, outlining an ecosystem that will eliminate the need for physical keys, help to reduce costs, simplify route planning, and reduce contamination in multi-stream waste collection.