Dive Brief:
- Atlanta's Department of Public Works (DPW) has partnered with Rubicon Global to use the company's technology to optimize its fleet operations in a six-month pilot program, as reported by Forbes.
- All trucks will receive smartphones with Rubicon's mobile app that link to a desktop vendor portal which can be used to make routes more efficient and address customer service issues.
- The city can also use the data collected to get more information on landfill tonnage, recycling rates and vehicle usage which can help lead to emissions reductions. Atlanta has touted this partnership as a part of its Power to Change sustainability initiative.
Dive Insight:
Like many cities, Atlanta set a high diversion rate goal of 90% by 2020 and has seen some progress though not enough to hit that target in time. Because Rubicon is headquartered in the city, this is likely a good fit for the company's first public partnership. So far the company has attracted an estimated 5,000 commercial businesses, including corporate names such as Wegman's and 7-Eleven.
The ability to better understand where recycling education needs to be targeted will be useful in beginning to understand how Atlanta can raise its diversion rates. Rubicon's recent partnership with Trucost will also allow them to provide more detailed greenhouse gas emission data. This is a priority for the city, which opened its second compressed natural gas fueling station for the DPW fleet earlier this year.
While Rubicon remains one of the most high profile names in waste management technology, it's not the only company trying to capitalize off making the industry more efficient. New York-based Recycle Track Systems offers a similar approach with tablets for collection vehicles that help haulers operate in a more efficient and responsive way and other companies are involved in the market as well.
