Bin Access Management in Topolcany, Slovakia

Project and Customer Description

Topoľčany is a small town in Slovakia with approximately 24,000 inhabitants. Waste management falls under the responsibility of the Department of City Services, while the actual waste collection is carried out by an external service provider. In pursuit of continuous improvements that directly enhance the well-being of its citizens, the town decided to implement Sensoneo’s smart locks on its waste bins in the summer of 2022.

Challenge

Topoľčany had long struggled with so-called “trash tourism,” where individuals from outside the town would bring carloads of waste and dispose of them in the large-capacity semi-underground bins. This led to overflowing bins, littered and unsightly public spaces, and unpleasant odors.

Additionally, the town faced the issue of non-payers—residents living in rented apartments who were not officially registered in the town’s database. Although they regularly used the waste bins, they were not contributing to waste collection fees.

Solution

Since the initial installations in 2022, the town has deployed Sensoneo’s Bin Access Management System on more than 150 bins across 30 bin stands, distributing 6,500 key fobs to registered citizens.

The Department of City Services actively uses Lockneo, the software platform connected to the smart locks, to manage user access and monitor usage data. Employees can now add or remove users, and assign replacement key fobs when needed.

To further discourage illegal dumping, most stands are also monitored by video surveillance to capture any attempts to leave waste beside the locked bins.

Impact

The most visible impact of the solution is significantly cleaner surroundings, free of litter and illegal dumping, as recognized by both town officials and residents.

Another key benefit is the identification and registration of previously unregistered waste users, increasing the fairness of the system and securing additional revenue for the town’s waste management budget. These funds can now be allocated to further improvements and services. The database of registered users is also more accurate and up-to-date.

Key Achievements in Numbers

• Higher waste diversion rate: from 52.30% in 2022 to 56.56% in 2024

• Lower volume of communal waste: from 6,192.94 tonnes in 2022 to 5,247.67 tonnes in 2024

• Identification and registration of approximately 250 previously unregistered waste users, generating additional revenue for waste management.

• More than 25% of the town’s residents are already prepared for the future implementation of a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system.

Future Outlook

Topoľčany plans to expand its network of semi-underground bins equipped with Sensoneo’s Bin Access Management System. The town sees this as a strong foundation for implementing a PAYT system town-wide. While operational details are still being defined, the combination of remotely managed bins and comprehensive data from the Lockneo platform provides an excellent basis for future expansion.

Residents have also suggested further innovations, such as unifying access control through a single RFID chip that could unlock both waste bins and residential building entrances, a proposal that the town is currently considering.