Sensoneo: at the forefront of smart waste management

Proper management of waste is a matter of growing importance for governments and city leaders.

Sensoneo, based in in Bratislava, Slovakia, are at the forefront of transforming waste management. Their range of solutions is helping to unlock the vast potential for smart systems to deliver a more efficient, improved service with lower emissions.

We spoke to them in December 2022 and, in light of their expansion into new territories and the development of new applications powered by Saft batteries, we thought it well worth checking in once again.

Martin Kosak, Head of Marketing at Sensoneo, talked us through the latest developments.

It sounds like Sensoneo has gone from strength to strength since we last spoke? What are the highlights of the last 18 months?

Since our last conversation we’ve achieved some remarkable milestones, most notably we secured a €6.2 million Series A investment led by Taiwania Capital, aimed at global market expansion.

We also secured the project which represents the largest smart waste installation in the world. In Madrid, Spain, we’re installing over 11,000 sensors across various waste types, integrating data into a Smart Waste Management Software System for optimized route planning. This project is part of Madrid’s strategy to become a benchmark Smart City, enhancing waste collection efficiency and reducing emissions, traffic, and noise.

Elsewhere, our IT software solution for Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) is now being implemented in 6 EU countries (Ireland, Romania, Malta, Hungary, Slovakia, and, from 2025, Austria). We’re the only company worldwide to offer this. This end-to-end and ready-to- integrate software for DRS gathers data from all sources and enables seamless integration between all stakeholders within the process chain.

We also have a solution on an industrial level and our Factory Waste Management solution is now utilized also by some of the Fortune 500 companies, using our system for enhanced ESG (environmental, social and governance) reporting and operational efficiency in their facilities.

So yes, we have been very busy!

You have also been busy developing new applications too

Yes, we’ve developed a new application of a smart access lock integrated into our Bin Access Management (BAM) solution. This uses a Saft 1S3P LS 33600 battery.

This innovative system ensures that only authorized users can access waste bins, providing insightful usage data and enhancing the user experience. BAM combats trash tourism, promotes cleanliness, and ensures fairness in waste management. It's adaptable to various bin types and is incredibly easy to set up.

Additionally, we use a Saft battery pack consisting of two LS14500 cells in our radar sensor, which is ideal for scenarios where you might be dealing with more hazardous waste materials like used oil.

What sort of changes are you seeing in the waste management landscape? Are more cities coming on board with the importance of smart waste management?

Absolutely, we see the rise of the smart waste industry at every event we participate in and with every new project request we receive. ‘Green’ topics are getting more and more attention, thanks to widely discussed issues like the Green Deal and new EU packaging regulations.

Additionally, different waste streams are gaining more attention. For example, by January 1st 2025, EU countries will be required to ensure a separate collection of textiles for reuse or recycling.

We see the Deposit Return Schemes model as the best way to support the circular economy, ensuring that waste materials return to the market. When it’s implemented, things like beverage containers are removed from natural and urban environments, and so more countries are preparing to implement this complex scheme on a nationwide level.

These trends are not only seen on a municipal level with city leaders, but also on an industrial level. Sustainability and ESG reporting are hot topics and companies are actively seeking smart solutions to optimize their processes and gather more valuable data.

And your range of solutions is playing a key part in helping organizations who want to optimize their waste management.

Most definitely. A recent success story comes from our pilot projects on university campuses in the United States, where we have showcased significant savings potential.

Over the course of eight weeks, our sensors provided real-time data on bin fill levels, enabling the university to optimize pickups, select the right-size of containers, and track hauler schedules. The data revealed opportunities to enhance efficiency and cost savings while providing insights into waste generation and diversion. This pilot, involving single sensors on general and recycling containers, demonstrated the substantial impact of our smart waste management solutions in large outdoor premises.

We estimated yearly savings of almost USD $90.000 from just 28 bins.

What do the next few years have in store for Sensoneo?

In the coming years, we’ll aim to leverage our Series A investment to stabilize and scale our business up while maintaining our innovative edge.

We have some new products on the horizon, but we are also very much focused on continuous improvement of our existing products and technologies, along with enhancing our customer support, branding, and marketing efforts.

Our goal is to solidify our position as a leader in the smart waste management industry, driving growth through innovation and expanding our global reach even further.

Images provided by Sensoneo.