#Japan #Kawasaki #Odakyu Electric Railway #Kawasaki City #WOOMS

Introduction

On October 13, 2023, Kawasaki City, in partnership with Odakyu Electric Railway, commenced a significant experiment designed to improve waste separation rates within the city. This initiative leverages a sophisticated waste collection management system known as WOOMS (Waste Operation and Management System). This collaboration, formalized on July 30, 2023, aims to explore innovative strategies to promote effective waste sorting among residents.

The WOOMS System

WOOMS is a cloud-based software solution that utilizes GPS-enabled tablets installed in each waste collection vehicle. This state-of-the-art system enables the creation of optimized collection routes, real-time reporting of collection statuses, and the linking of captured images with geographic data. Moreover, it features an alert system for specific instructions at designated collection points—ensuring safe operations, particularly in areas with limited visibility, such as intersections and collection spots. The data collected, including driving speed and operational hours, provides transparency into the waste collection process, facilitating skill standardization among drivers and reducing their workloads.

Experiment Details

Locations and Duration

The trial will take place in the Takatsu and Miyamae districts, covering an area managed by the Miyamae Living Environment Office, located at 172 Miyazaki, Miyamae Ward, 216-0033. The project will run from October 13 to December 13, 2023, targeting approximately 15,000 waste collection points using a fleet of 40 municipal waste collection vehicles.

Objectives

Throughout the trial period, the collection management will focus on two primary themes:

1. Monitoring Plastic Contamination in General Waste
During regular waste collection, when plastic containers and packaging are detected, collection personnel will utilize WOOMS to document the location and contamination levels. This data aims to better understand the characteristics of neighborhoods and collection points, providing valuable information for public awareness campaigns.

2. Enhancing Old Paper Collection Efficiency
Currently, paper and cardboard are collected during general waste collection as a supplementary effort. This experiment will assess the feasibility of identifying collection points and their conditions via WOOMS and executing prompt follow-up with dedicated collection vehicles, thus increasing resource recovery rates effectively.

Roles in the Experiment

The roles of Kawasaki City and Odakyu Electric Railway in this experiment are pivotal. Kawasaki City will provide the operational field for the trial, analyze the resultant data for public outreach and effectiveness, and gather feedback and insights related to the experiment. Meanwhile, Odakyu Electric Railway will supply all necessary materials for WOOMS at no charge, ensuring the success of this innovative initiative.

Evaluation of Effects

Upon completion of the trial, a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted. This will involve analyzing data on plastic contamination, identifying instances of noncompliance, and assessing the collection of old paper materials. Feedback from collection staff through surveys will also be crucial to identifying challenges and planning future improvements.

Conclusion

This collaboration between Kawasaki City and Odakyu Electric Railway marks a forward-thinking move toward improving waste management and separation rates. By harnessing digital tools and data analysis, this experiment has the potential to pave the way for enhanced recycling efforts and greater public engagement in sustainable waste practices.