Providing business with a technology-enabled solution to help divert eWaste from landfill
Project implemented: June 2017
SmartBins were designed to raise awareness of eWaste disposal and to increase eWaste diversion from landfill.
eWaste is Australia’s fastest growing solid waste stream (23.6kg per person annually) and up to 60% is sent to landfill.
We used our ICT Sustainability benchmark to assess customers' maturity in best practice eWaste handling.
We provided education materials for staff which have reached more than 10,000 people.
We worked with partners to ensure the IoT monitoring and automated collections worked smoothly.
Our partner Sims Recycling Solutions processes the eWaste domestically in a way that protects human health & the environment
Raised business awareness and maturity in eWaste best practice
Demonstrated how technology can assist with waste diversion from landfill
eWaste (old electronic items like computers, laptops, and mobile phones) is Australia’s fastest growing solid waste stream (23.6kg per person is generated annually) and up to 60% is sent to landfill. eWaste contains substances like lead, mercury, cadmium and flame retardants, and is the origin of 70% of toxins in landfill. On the positive side, up to 95% of eWaste (by weight) can be recovered for re-use, including scarce materials like gold and silver as well as commodities (glass, plastic).
The SmartBin solution is a completely self-contained unit that is attractive enough to sit out in the open in an office or community location, increasing the availability of eWaste recycling. It uses IoT sensors to alert when the fill level is reached, and process automation technology to book a collection when full.
The bins have been deployed to Fujitsu customers across Australia and New Zealand, providing an easy way to dispose of eWaste, which is then handled by a processing partner subject to thorough vetting to ensure eWaste is processed within Australia, in a way to protects human health and the environment.
