Automation adds benefits

IPL

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In 2008, the Regional District of Central Okanagan adopted a new automated waste and recycling management system, in an effort to preserve the region’s natural beauty and combat the ongoing labour shortage problem.
The new automated system, rolled out in 2009, supersedes the old system, eliminating historical physical requirements for employment. As a result, the region is able to accept employment applications from a wider range of individuals who wish to pursue a career in waste management collection. After careful consideration and review of numerous proposals, the region concluded that IPL offered the best quality, technologically advanced products at an unbeatable price. IPL was also the only Canadian supplier of wheeled carts, which added benefit to the decision.

Full volume production

Under the terms of the agreement IPL supplied 157,000 wheeled carts in varying capacities of 120, 240, and 360 litres to the region to fulfil their waste, recycling and yard waste requirements.
“Our ability to meet stringent customer specifications and to meet a tight delivery schedule, combined with a product of superior quality, confirms IPL’s leadership in the development of innovative technical solutions in the environment sector,” said Serge Bragdon, President and CEO of IPL.
All specifications were met quickly by IPL, according to regional officials.
“What was regarded as a big project for us was handled smoothly, professionally and efficiently,” states Peter Rotheisler, Waste Reduction Supervisor for the Central Okanagan Regional District.
The customized wheeled carts are designed for optimal manoeuvrability, durability and convenience for workers and residents. Each cart was equipped with a serial number that would correspond with the assigned address for inventory, maintenance and tracking purposes. Although the region required three uniquely identifiable wheeled carts, uniformity and aesthetic appeal was also a requirement. IPL met that goal by colouring the base of all wheeled carts grey. Additional customization for the wheeled carts was delivered through variation in size and colour of the lid, assisting with the identification of cart usage for residents and ease of pick-up. The wheeled carts developed for waste disposal were 120 litres standing just over three feet, built to hold two standard size garbage bags. Further identification of the waste disposal wheeled carts was derived through the grey colouring of the lid.
In correlation with the region’s goal to reduce landfill waste, the wheeled carts for recycling and yard waste were 240 litres, standing roughly three and a half feet high, with a wider base designed proportionally to enable the storage of four standard recycling bags. To differentiate the uses and ensure efficient pick-up of the recycling and yard waste carts, IPL produced and delivered customized blue lids to be used with the recycling wheeled carts and green lids for the yard waste carts.

Driving operation efficiencies and advancement

IPL aided in further advancement of the region’s waste and recycling management program through the insertion of radio frequency identification tags (RFID) in each wheeled cart. RFID technology provides the region with accurate information for future planning and current analysis of each sectors usage and recycling patterns.
“Great project teams, timely, clear communications, excellent delivery,” described Peter Rotheisler in describing the region’s experience working with IPL.

Many other benefits from RFID use

Further added benefits through the implementation of the RFID tag are: Reduced materials and material costs historically used for tracking and inventory; minimized labour costs; streamlined operational, maintenance and inventory management process; modernized communications; and heightened ability to monitor vandalism and theft.

The RFID tags offer the region long term promotional possibilities that could provide incentives for users to improve their recycling efforts, for example. IPL suggested a possible partnership with Air Miles. RFID-tagged wheeled carts make it easier to implement such an activity; for example, residents could be rewarded with Air Miles based on the volume of recycled material deposited. The region now has the right tools to perform detailed analysis and tracking of their residents waste and recycling disposal usage. The region will be able to send residents reminder postcards, or if necessary set up recycling work shops in the sectors possibly requiring further education or improvement.
The Canadian-made partnership of IPL and the Central Okanagan Regional District has proven a success. Rotheisler confirms the success of his partnership experience with IPL, stating “we are happy to continue our partnership and highly recommend them.”