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Smart trash cans for cleaner public spaces

Smart trash cans help municipalities, property owners, retail spaces, and public facilities reduce unnecessary emptying, prevent overflowing bins, and create cleaner environments. With sensors, connectivity, and compaction, you can monitor fill levels, emptying needs, and location—all directly in a digital system.

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Insights

What is a smart trash can?

A smart trash can is a connected waste container that uses sensors to monitor its fill level and status in real time. When the container starts to fill up, information is sent to a digital system where staff can schedule emptying, track usage over time, and optimize container placement.

Unlike traditional trash cans, smart trash cans are emptied based on actual need, not just on a fixed schedule. This makes waste management more efficient, reduces unnecessary trips, and helps organizations keep public spaces cleaner.

Sensors measure the fill level

The container monitors its fill level and sends the data to a connected system.

Automatic notifications control emptying

Operations staff are notified when emptying is needed, which reduces unnecessary trips.

Compression increases capacity

Some models compact the waste directly inside the bin, which means the trash can holds significantly more.

The data shows patterns over time

You can see which locations are experiencing high traffic, which bins are used most frequently, and where placement or capacity needs to be adjusted.

Traditional wastebaskets

Emptying is usually done on a schedule

It's hard to tell which bins are full

Risk of overflowing containers

More manual control

Limited information on which to base a decision

More shipments

Smart waste bins

Discharge can be controlled based on the actual fill level

Sensors display status in real time

Greater capacity and a better overview

Automatic notifications and reports

The data shows usage, load, and demand

Fewer unnecessary trips and more efficient routes

How do smart bins work?

Smart bins work by using sensors to monitor fill levels in real time. When a bin is full, a signal is sent to a central device or app that notifies maintenance staff. This allows emptying to be scheduled more efficiently, reducing both labor and resource use.

Do smart trash cans work in the winter?

Yes. Our smart trash cans are designed for Nordic conditions and can be used year-round. Solar power is combined with energy-efficient technology and battery backup, allowing the bins to continue reporting fill levels and status even during periods of limited sunlight.

For municipalities and organizations in Sweden, this is crucial. The solution must not only work on nice summer days—it must also work when snow, cold weather, and heavy workloads make the job more difficult.

Read the article about smart trash cans in winter.

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Where are smart trash cans best suited?

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Customer Case Studies (see all)

Bigbelly Alingsås, about 50 smart waste stations

Alingsås started with a small number of smart trash cans and has since built up a larger network of Bigbelly throughout the city. This case study shows how smart waste management can be scaled up from a pilot program to full-scale operation, providing a better overview of fill levels and emptying needs.

Randers Municipality – When trash cans become knowledge carriers

Randers Municipality in Denmark uses trash cans to make cultural heritage accessible in public spaces. The result is a city where behavior is changing through creativity and pride.

AstraZeneca Södertälje Chooses Bigbelly

AstraZeneca in Södertälje uses Bigbelly smarter waste management at one of Sweden’s largest business parks. A case study on connected, solar-powered trash cans with compaction and a hands-free solution.

A plus you don't want to miss!

Our smart bins not only offer smart waste management solutions, but also a range of other benefits that make them an unbeatable partner for your waste management needs:

Increased garbage capacity

Trash cans equipped with compaction technology that increases the trash capacity by up to five times compared to regular trash cans, reducing the need for frequent emptying.

Designed for waste sorting

We design and install labeled waste sorting stations that make it easy for users to sort their waste correctly in the public environment.

Reduced littering

Thanks to their closed design, our smart bins reduce the presence of pests such as rats and birds, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Over 100,000 copies sold

Market leader in smart waste bins

We are proud to offer products from Bigbelly, a brand known for its high-quality and innovative solutions in waste management. Bigbellys bins are not only smart, but also sturdy and durable, making them ideal for both urban and rural environments.