Revolutionary iBiNs equipped with smart technology that enables citizens to recycle 24/7, are being rolled out by GreenPak from today.

GreenPak explained that they use next generation Internet of Things technology introduced for the first time to the island by Vodafone Malta.

The iBiNs have the capability to monitor waste levels and feed information back to a central system which enables GreenPak’s recycling service to prioritise and customise collection routes in the localities it serves across Malta and Gozo, the first will be in Pembroke.

In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, GreenPak CEO Mario Schembri said, said that by the end of February the Cooperative would have invested more than €600,000 to introduce a network of 800 bins with the smart iBiNs.

Also present for the launch were Local Government Minister Owen Bonnici, Environment Minister Jose Herrera, Digital Economy Parliamentary Secretary Silvio Schembri, Consumer Protection Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista, and Local Government Parliamentary Secretary Silvio Parnis.

Ing. Schembri explained that, “our initiative is one of the first public service projects that uses the Internet Of Things on this scale in Malta and will take our waste management to another level. This is the way forward for a better Malta.”

He explained that “to power such technology, Vodafone has brought Narrowband Internet of Things (NB- IoT) to Malta for the first time. NB-IoT is a new technology standard, just like 3G and 4G, designed to broaden the future of IoT connectivity.

“This means that the iBiNs will use devices that can reliably connect with the network, even if installed in remote areas or underground. The smart iBiNs are being supported through the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Initiative, and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under Operational Programme I 2014-2020 ‘Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenge.” he said.

GreenPak has said that apart from eradicating unsightly overflowing, the bins will enable GreenPak to avoid unnecessary truck movements and focus only on those bins which actually need to be emptied, improving the quality of air and improving traffic on our roads.

Mr Schembri went on to say that, “our iBiNs will be managed in real time and data received will be fed into our fleet management system, informing drivers which ones require urgent attention or not. Apart from helping GreenPak improve its service, we will also be minimising our carbon footprint and reducing costs.”

“GreenPak has developed a web-app and has teamed up with Vodafone Malta to provide this technology to the public. Through their phones or tablets, the public is informed of the bins closest to them so that they can determine if these have spare capacity to take more recyclable material,” he added.

NB-IoT – is the first project of its kind for Malta and is enabled by Vodafone, CEO of Vodafone Sonia Hernandez said that the company had “pounced on the opportunity to partner with GreenPak to use its breakthrough technology for environmental protection.”

“We enter into this partnership with GreenPak enthusiastic of what can be accomplished together through technological innovation,” Ms Hernandez said. “The system of having industrial-sized bins conveniently located in every locality for households to recycle plastics, paper, metal and glass was set up some 15 years ago.”

According to figures released by the National Statistics Office earlier this year, more than 500 tonnes of recycled material was collected from such bins in 2016. But this is not enough and GreenPak is hoping the iBiNs will be instrumental in increasing usage.

Mr Schembri said, “our initiative ties in with the government’s objective to step up the amount of waste that Malta recycles. Every citizen has an obligation to recycle and as GreenPak we’re working on making it easier for everyone to do so.”

GreenPak said explained that during the first phase of the project, the iBiNs will be rolled out in: Sliema, St Julian’s, Zejtun, Pembroke, Luqa, Attard, Balzan, Kirkop, Marsa, Msida, and Ta’ Xbiex.

Further information may be found on the GreenPak website

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