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A feasibility study of a RFID traceability system in municipal solid waste

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Article  in  International Journal of Information Technology and Management · January 2012

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Int. J. Information Technology and Management, Vol. 12, Nos. 1/2, 2013 27

A feasibility study of a RFID traceability system in

municipal solid waste management

Maria Grazia Gnoni*, Gianni Lettera and

Alessandra Rollo
Department of Engineering for Innovation,
University of Salento,
73100 Lecce, Italy
Fax: +39-832297366
E-mail: mariagrazia.gnoni@unisalento.it
E-mail: gianni.lettera@cerpi.it
E-mail: alessandrarollo@unisalento.it
*Corresponding author

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) is currently an interesting

enabling technology applied in several contexts for tracing items and people
starting from logistics to healthcare management. An effective tracing system
could improve heavily performances of an integrated municipal solid waste
management systems. Focusing on waste collection services, one key point is
to trace wastes (in their quantity and typology) collected from citizens in order
to apply more transparent fee mechanisms, i.e., based on ‘pay-as-you-through’
principle. The present paper proposes a feasibility study about the application
of RFID technology for tracing actual wastes intercepted by collection services
in municipal solid waste management system. After the proposed model design,
a simulation analysis has been carried out to assess actual impacts (positive or
negative) on waste collection procedures due to the introduction of this
technology. Finally, different organisational scenarios for collection services
based on RFID application have been compared in terms of both technical and
economic indicators.

Keywords: municipal solid waste management; separated collection services;

RFID technology.

Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Gnoni, M.G., Lettera, G.

and Rollo, A. (2013) ‘A feasibility study of a RFID traceability system in
municipal solid waste management’, Int. J. Information Technology and
Management, Vol. 12, Nos. 1/2, pp.27–38.

Biographical notes: Maria Grazia Gnoni is an Assistant Professor at the

Engineering Faculty of the University of Salento. Her research interests are
focused on sustainability analysis of supply chains and reverse logistics
models. She is an author of more than 40 papers and a reviewer for the
International Journal of RF Technologies, International Journal of
Environmental Management, and International Journal of Production
Economics and Safety Science.

Gianni Lettera is currently a Contractor Researcher at the Department for

Innovation of the University of Salento. His research activities are focused on
environmental and safety management.

Copyright © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

28 M.G. Gnoni et al.

Alessandra Rollo received her Master degree Cum Lodem in Management

Engineering at the University of Salento, Italy, in 2007. Her research interests
are in the fields of operations management by focusing on IT applications in
supply chain management as RFID technology.

1 Introduction

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is currently an enabling technology which is being

applied in several different contexts for tracing items and people as it could support a
dynamic exchange of information compared to traditional identification tools such as
barcodes (Abad et al., 2009). During the last years, this technology is being widely
applied in logistics such as manufacturing and distribution of physical goods (Mousavi
et al., 2002; Penttilä et al., 2006; Keskilammi et al., 2003), warehouse management
(Chow et al., 2006; Zhou et al., 2007) and inventory management (Wang et al., 2008). An
interesting review about RFID application in several contexts has been carried out by
Tajima (2007). A recent study (Roussos and Kostakos, 2009) has proposed that this
technology will be highly pervasive in few years as it could play an important role in
several applications of our daily life. The tracing procedure is realised by the application
of a tag equipped with wireless microchip and an antenna which communicates directly
(i.e., it does not need physical contact or sight positioning) to a reader. These features
have contributed to expand the application of RFID technology also in harsh
environments where barcodes are not effective due to the presence of humidity, high
temperatures, etc. These features usually characterises municipal solid waste
management (MSWM) systems. A MSWM is structured in several different phases: the
first process is the collection service where wastes are delivered by citizens directly (i.e.,
in curbside collection services) or indirectly (in street side services). Waste could be
separated or mixed in a unique box or bag. Next, waste flows are delivered to recovery
facilities according to waste type. The application of RFID technology could introduce
several advantages for both the management of collection services to final phases such as
recovery and recycling process (Wyld, 2010). RFID technology could support an
effective traceability system for waste as data about both quantities and typologies of
waste collected by the public service are available by a real-time application. Two main
types of traceability model are applied in MSWM systems: weight or volume based. The
first one is the most effective one as it evaluates the actual quantity of waste collected by
the system; on the other hand, the latter is the simplest one as the actual frequency of
collection is the main estimator parameter.
Thus, an effective system for waste traceability based on weight analysis could
support several advantages for all subjects involved in a MSWM system such as:
• Public managers: according to an economic point of view, an estimation of the
actual quantity collected every period (e.g., in a day or in a week) could support an
optimisation of their fleet management in terms of both vehicle and crew utilisation.
According to an environmental point of view, data about waste collected could
support more effective strategies for both collecting and recovery of such a materials.
As an example, if a municipal area collects a low quantity of paper, the public
authority could direct new communication initiatives towards increasing collection
rates.
 A feasibility study of a RFID traceability system 29

• Citizens: information about the actual quantity of waste delivered in each period
could support more effective fee policies, i.e., based on pay-as-you throw principle
(Puig-Ventosa, 2008) which applies the well-know ‘polluter pays’ principle as it
charges proportional to the amount of MSW generated.
On the other hand, few pilot projects have been recently carried out aiming to apply
RFID technology in solid waste management (Binder et al., 2008; Swedberg, 2010;
Friedlos, 2009).
The aim of the paper is to propose an ‘intelligent’ platform for tracing wastes in
MSW collection services based on RFID technology. The proposed platform will allow
to trace in a reliable and quick way waste quantity and typology in different collection
services. The model will support more effective management of collection services both
from citizen and managers point of views. Reliable and real-time information about waste
quantity could support more effective scheduling and routing policies of collection
vehicles and operators usually planned based on estimated data (Lin, 2008; Zamorano
et al., 2009). On the other side, more effective fee charging systems based on
‘pay-as-you-through’ principle could improve the global effectiveness of the integrated
MSW management systems as citizens are more involved in waste management
processes (Dahlen and Lagerkvist, 2010).
The paper is organised as follows: a critical analysis of main issues affecting MSW
collection service is proposed in Section 2; then, the ‘intelligent’ model for tracing waste
in different collection services is detailed in Section 3. Finally, a simulation analysis has
been carried out in order to evaluate the actual performance of the application of RFID
technology in different organisational scenarios for the simulation model and analysis is
respectively proposed in Section 4.

2 Potentiality of RFID application in MSW collection services

Waste collection service represents the first node of an integrated municipal waste
management system: currently, separated (e.g., plastic, glass, metal, organic) collection
services are the most widespread option aiming to improve recovery and recycling
activities. Their effectiveness is usually measured by waste flow intercepted which
heavily depends on both the municipality context (e.g., house or high density flats) and
the specific type of services applied. Several collection schemes could be applied as
different variable influences collection service design. A classification based on types of
the delivery service is detailed following:

• Household service or door-to-door services: different combinations of bins or sacks

usually placed outdoors and/or indoors are used to delivery wastes. Thus, operators
pick up each bin or sack during the scheduled shift work.

• Drop-off-based system: citizens bring their waste through sacks in a garbage bin
usually shared with other citizens. Operators pick up bins located in a public area or
in the street.
The first type usually requires more effort as operators carried out a higher number of
stops; on the other hand, they usually determines a higher participation rate (i.e., quantity
30 M.G. Gnoni et al.

of separated waste flow intercepted) than drop-off systems. It has to be noted that one
single scheme cannot deliver a universal solution for different waste types; moreover, the
most effective collection service is defined as the optimal concatenation of material
management processes according to specific context features. Several solutions are
applied all over the world in order to improve collection service effectiveness. One
effective tool is currently represented by the charging system: a strictly relationship has
been demonstrated between collection scheme performances and types of charging
systems (Ku et al., 2009; Dahlen and Lagerkvist, 2010). Usually, different fee types could
be applied in MSW management: flat, variable (based on weight and volume) or mixed
type. The first one is a fixed annual fee; the second type evaluates a unit-pricing
by the bag and/or weight-based fees. This option is based on the application of the
‘pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) mechanism’ which also could contribute to reduce individual
waste production (Dunne et al., 2008). On the other hand, this type of charging system
requires a reliable waste identification and an efficient measurement system of the
generated waste and/or corresponding services. RFID application could be an enabling
technology for designing more effective traceability system in separated collection
services.
Binder et al. (2008) proposed a material flow analysis for evaluating potential field of
application of RFID technology in an integrated MSW management system. The analysis
evaluates the whole waste chain starting from waste generation to waste separation and
treatment. Results obtained show that RFID could effectively contribute to improve
recycling rate; on the other hand, citizen privacy issues have to be effectively evaluated.
Friedlos (2009) described an Australian pilot project where RFID is applied in order to
trace distribution of bins in a MSW system where a specific charging system is applied:
municipalities pay a fee to the waste management company according to the number of
empties trash bins collected. Results showed a reduction in labour force required
compared to with a manual tracing system. A tracing system based on RFID is proposed
for hazardous waste derived from decontamination and decommissioning activities of
buildings (Swedberg, 2010).
Moreover, Saar and Thomas (2002) proposed how the application of RFID
technology can improve efficiency of the disassembly process of such a product at the
recycling stage. Recently, Thomas (2009) had investigated the potentiality of a unique
code supplied by RFID in order to improve efficiency of both their end-of-life
management and recovery processes (Parlikad and McFarlane, 2007).

3 The proposed intelligent platform for MSW tracing

As defined in the previous section, an effective traceability system for MSWs could have
the following features:
• Flexibility in managing different information sources: as different types of collection
schemes could be carried out in a municipal area, the proposed system will allow to
integrate different information flows derived from different application contexts. As
an example, the collection scheme applied where low-density houses are widespread
has to be quite different from the one carried out in high-crowded areas. Thus,
different system configuration has to be managed.
 A feasibility study of a RFID traceability system 31

• Reliability in tracing items: the traceability system has to supply information about
waste quantity and typology delivered by each citizen in a harsh environment aiming
to apply more effectively the PAYT principle.
Moreover, the introduction of a traceability system should not determine huge increase of
labour in collection services procedures.
Then, the proposed platform is based on intensive application of RFID technology in
order to guarantee all these features. First of all, the RFID technology guarantees a quick
and real-time identification system compared to with manual tracing systems (i.e., based
on checklists) or other automatic identification tools (i.e., barcodes). Thus, the application
of barcodes in this context is not effective as they usually require a higher reading time
than RFID (Wyld, 2010) and they could be scratched or damaged making reading
activities unfeasible. Moreover, they could guarantee a reduced level of flexibility as they
could be applied only on bins and not on sacks. On the other hand, RFID tags are
currently developed in different formats (e.g., labels, cards, etc.) which could easily
adaptable to the specific item. Moreover, a larger volume of information could be stored
in tags; thus, more efficient encryption and authentication methods for managing privacy
issues could be developed. Thus, the intelligent platform has been designed in order to be
compliant to this issue. The general schema is described following:
• Waste collection source: as different types of collection schemes could be applied,
each waste bin/sack is equipped with an RFID tag associated to a unique code which
could supply information about waste producer and waste typology. RFID tag is
alternatively located in each bin (i.e., embedded or attached) or in each sack (i.e.,
embedded into the locking strip). Passive UHF tags have been applied in order to
guarantee a larger reading range.
• Complete waste identification: each collection vehicle is equipped with an RFID
antenna and a weight platform. Then, when a bin or a sack is placed on the weighting
platform, the antenna simultaneously read the identification code which characterises
the waste producers.
• Data management: a web-based information system allows to manage devices
communication and information flow. The identification code is linked to
information about waste producers; thus, a statement account about waste collected
for each producer is calculated to estimate a punctual weight-based fee. Producer
could easily access real-time to information about its fee (e.g., waste disposal could
be a more expensive alternative by comparing to recycling). On the other hand,
managers could have actual information about participation rate and also about
crews’ productivity.
A schematic representation of the proposed model is depicted in Figure 1.
Main innovative features characterising the proposed RFID-based platform are
detailed following:
• The RFID application has allowed to support an holonic management of collection
services as different sources of information are managed in a centralised way.
Information derived from different types of separated collection schemes (from
household to street side types) are managed in an integrated way by the web
platform.
32 M.G. Gnoni et al.

• Differently from current pilot projects, the proposed model allows to link
simultaneously data about weight, type of wastes and producer. The availability of
these data could support the calculation of thematic maps to monitor total amounts of
waste produced in a specific area in a time period.
The model represents an effective tool for public authorities or firms involved in
designing and manage MSW collection services. Firms could better organise its fleet
management system (e.g., in terms of routes) and labour. Local authorities have a
monitoring system for the volume and the typology of wastes produced in their area.
Thus, more effective incentive plans either to reduce waste quantity at the producer level
and to improve participation rate could be carried out. As an example, it could be
provided incentives if the whole waste flows are reducing in a specific period or the
participation rate of a family for a specific materials is increasing (positive incentive).

Figure 1 The proposed model schema (see online version for colours)

4 The simulation analysis

A simulation analysis has been carried out aiming to assess how the application of RFID
technology could affect the overall procedures of the collection services. Scenario data
are discussed as follows.

4.1 The simulation scenario

Performances of collection services are usually evaluated according to critical parameters
such as service time, number of users served in a work shift and operating costs. Thus, a
discrete event simulation model has been developed by Anylogic® 6.5: different
organisational scenarios for separated collection service and waste tracking have been
compared. First of all, the baseline scenario (Scenario 0) has been evaluated: this
represents the traditional service where waste producers use bin for delivering wastes and
 A feasibility study of a RFID traceability system 33

no trace system is applied. In the second scenario (the so called Scenario 0-A), a bin
weighting procedure has been introduced by a specific platform device installed aboard
on the collection vehicle; a manual identification procedure trough a checklist filled by
each operator is introduced. Data acquired are after manually entered into the information
system. The last two scenarios (Scenarios A and B) are characterised by the application
of the proposed intelligent platform: in Scenario A, an RFID tag is attached (or
embedded) to bins; in the latter, a RFID tag is attached to sacks (i.e., into the locking
strips). Identification and weighting activities are carried out simultaneously at the
vehicle level in both previous scenarios. A unique code is associated to the tag supplying
information about waste producer. According to collection service scheduling, the waste
type can be determined: the same bin is used to collect different types of waste in
different days (e.g., plastics are collected each Monday). Data relationship between day
and waste type and quantity are matched by the central information system. The main
difference between Scenarios A and B is due to the total number of tags applied on an
annual basis: the first provides a lower tag number as tags are not throwaway as they are
attached to the bin; on the other hand, sacks are disposable, thus the tag could not be
reused in the next delivery. Moreover, in Scenario B, the tag also contains information
about waste type (in addition to the unique ID code) thus increasing a quick preliminary
check about waste delivered carried out by operators during emptying activities. Here,
traceability could be extended to downstream process (i.e., waste treatment process) as
tag continues working after collection.
The simulation data are detailed following:
• Door-to-door collection services are working.
• The crew is composed of two workers which simultaneously pick up each bin or
sack outdoor.
• The estimated length of the work shift is 4 hours for a day.
• Each worker moves one item at a time.
• Randomness has been introduced in the model for action estimation: normal
probability distribution functions have been evaluated for those actions when
operators are involved (i.e., time for moving towards waste bin/sack from the
collection vehicle, for returning with filled bin, etc.). On the other hand, uniform
probability distribution functions have been estimated for cycle times due to
automatic actions (i.e., waste bin weighting and reader time). Time values assigned
to each distribution (i.e., mean and standard deviation for normal distributions, and
minimum and maximum for uniform distributions) have been set by an empirical
estimation.
A total number of 50 simulation runs have been carried out to assess output average
values. As previously reported, scenarios have been compared according to four main
parameters:
• The operator service time (for each item): time required by a worker to carry out the
whole procedure starting from collection to identification and weighting activities.
• The actual total number of users served (for each work shift): number of user (i.e.,
waste producer) served in a work shift by each collection crew.
34 M.G. Gnoni et al.

• The ratio between the actual and theoretical number of users served in a work shift.
The theoretical value has been estimated as the maximum number of user which
could be potentially served in a work shift.

• The unitary operating cost for each user in a work shift: this is the operational cost of
collection service. Two main contributions have been evaluated such as labour and
consumable equipment (i.e., disposable tags in Scenario B, which cost about 0.15 €).

4.2 Results analysis

Results obtained by the simulation analysis are described following.
Figure 2 shows average values obtained for ‘operator service time’ (side L) and the
‘actual total number of users served’ (side R) parameters in all four scenarios.

Figure 2 Average operator service times (side L) and actual number of users served estimated for
each scenario (side R)

The baseline scenario (Scenario 0) shows the minimum value of the operator service time
parameter (67.9 seconds) and the Scenario 0-A shows the maximum one (117.8 seconds)
as expected: in the first, no traceability and a manual system have been carried out
respectively. Thus, estimated average values of number of users served have confirmed
these previous results.
Moreover, the most effective RFID-based scenarios is Scenario B (where RFID is
applied to sacks) as results point out an increasing of about 10% respect to Scenario 0 and
a reduction of about 37% respect to Scenario 0-A in the estimated operator service time.
The Scenario A determines an increase of about 34% respect to Scenario 0 and a
reduction of about 23% respect to Scenario 0-A. These results show that the introduction
of an automatic traceability system (i.e., weighting and identification actions) could not
heavily change the service level supplied by the whole collection services. The
Scenario 0-A, where manual identification is carried out, is more time consuming than
automated ones as RFID technology contribute to speed up the identification time.
Moreover, it has to be noted that a data entry action has to be carried out in this scenario
differently from RFID-based scenarios where information flows are directly acquired by
 A feasibility study of a RFID traceability system 35

the information system. Then, a comparison between manual and RFID-based tracing
systems have been carried out: service times estimated of RFID-based scenarios show a
reduction of 23% for the Scenario A and 37% for the Scenario B respectively; these
values show the positive contribution of RFID technology in improving efficiency in
tracing items.
By comparing the two RFID-based scenarios, Scenario B determines a low
average service time and a highest actual number of users served than Scenario A:
these results are essentially due to specific actions that are required when a bin is
picked up, e.g., return of empty bins out the door. No significant difference has been
evaluated due to weighting and identification actions. This issue confirms results
supplied by the analysis of the ratio between the actual and theoretical number of users
served in a work shift: estimated results are in Figure 3. Scenario B shows the lowest
ratio value as it is characterised by the quickest operator service time; therefore, this has
determined a higher queue time at collection vehicle for weighting and identifying
wastes. Finally, the Scenario 0 shows the highest performance as no traceability system
works.

Figure 3 Estimated ratio between actual and theoretical number of users served for each scenario

Finally, unitary operational costs have been evaluated and results are shown in Figure 4.
Scenario 0-A shows the highest operating cost per user served, about 73% more than
traditional scenario (Scenario 0); the application of manual tracing system was revealed
quite expensive. RFID has been revealed as an effective enabling technologies as cost
increase in Scenarios A and B are about 34% and 41%, respectively. The highest increase
has been verified in Scenario A when sacks are applied due to the presence of disposable
tags. In Scenario B, no tag cost has been introduced as bins are reused for each collection
cycle. However, it has to be noted that the contribution due to disposable RFID
equipment represents a slight increase (about 5.5%): the relevant difference is due to
labour level. It has to be noted that Scenario B where tags are used only one time could
determine an higher environmental impact as hazardous materials (due to the tag
presence) could increase the complexity of the recovery or recycling processes (Binder
and Domnitcheva, 2003; Wager et al., 2005).
36 M.G. Gnoni et al.

Figure 4 Estimated unitary operating cost (side L) and variation of operating cost per user served
respect to scenario 0 (side R)

5 Conclusions

The paper proposes a RFID-based platform for effectively tracing municipal waste flows
(according to typology and quantity) in different configurations of collection services.
The proposed model allows to both identify and weight waste flow in different collection
services. The intelligent system allows to support an holonic approach in designing and
managing separate collection service of MSWs as all equipment are integrated by a
common information and communication system. A feasibility study is proposed in order
to point out potential benefits and criticalities due to the platform application. Several
organisational scenarios have been analysed: each performance – in terms of estimated
service time, number of users served and operating costs, have been analysed by a
simulation model. Two different RFID-based solutions for carrying out separate
household collection services have been evaluated. The alternative where tags are
attached to garbage sacks (i.e., by locking strips) has revealed the most efficient in terms
of service time and number of users served. Moreover, this solution could guarantee an
‘extended’ traceability to downstream process (i.e., waste treatment process).
Furthermore, if environmental impacts will be introduced in the analysis, this last option
is characterised by a high impact as tags are used in a disposable way.
Further developments will be directed to improve the proposed platform aiming to
guarantee a higher flexibility by tracing waste flows when mixed waste flows could be
delivered by waste producer.

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