Ultrasonic bin sensors monitor waste levels in Mollerussa, Spain

150

Number of sensors

1,100 liter containers

Type of bins

NB-IoT & LoRaWAN

Connectivity

Real-time overview

Goal

Smart waste management in Mollerussa

Project and customer description

Mollerussa, a Catalonian town located about 130 kilometers west of Barcelona, has taken steps to modernize its waste collection system by piloting smart monitoring technology. The project reflects the municipality’s goal to optimize logistics, reduce inefficiencies, and provide cleaner public spaces for citizens.

Challenge

The town required real-time insight into the fill levels of its 1,100-liter containers. Without reliable data, collections were carried out on fixed schedules, leading to unnecessary pickups of half-empty bins and the risk of overflowing containers in busy areas.

Solution

In the spring of 2022, Sensoneo sensors were installed in 150 large-capacity containers across Mollerussa. The solution was coordinated by Sensoneo’s partner, Solar Outdoor Media, who also equipped some containers with LED advertisement panels.

The smart sensors use ultrasonic technology and are connected via both NB-IoT and LoRaWAN networks, ensuring reliable communication of real-time fill-level data. The deployment enables the municipality to test dynamic waste collection based on actual container usage.

Impact

The deployment of ultrasonic sensors has provided Mollerussa with a real-time overview of container usage. This allows the municipality to prevent overflowing bins, eliminate unnecessary pickups, and plan waste collection more efficiently. By adopting smart monitoring, the town improves the quality of service for its citizens while also moving toward a more cost-effective and sustainable waste management system.