The market for smart waste sensor technology is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.8% until 2028.

The global adoption of smart waste sensor technology is on the rise, with a new report from Berg Insight revealing that the number of waste collection points fitted with these sensors reached 1.25 million worldwide in 2023. This number is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 22.8 percent, reaching 3.50 million by 2028.

Europe leads the way in the adoption of smart waste sensors, accounting for around 45 percent of the installed base. Markets such as the Benelux, France, the UK, Spain, and the Nordics are at the forefront of this technology. In North America, the installed base reached 470,000 units in 2023, with the Rest of World market (excluding China) expected to surpass 700,000 installed sensors by 2028.

RoadRunner, a US-based provider of managed waste and recycling services, holds the world’s largest installed base of smart waste sensors after acquiring Compology in late 2022. Waste Harmonics (Keter) and Bigbelly are also key players in the market. The top 10 vendors, including REEN, Sensoneo, and Nordsense, account for more than half of the global installed base.

Private companies are increasingly becoming important customers for smart waste management solutions, alongside municipal initiatives. William Ankreus, IoT Analyst at Berg Insight, emphasizes the importance of organizations measuring and managing their waste and emissions for sustainability.

Cellular communications, particularly LPWA technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M, are the preferred connectivity choice for smart waste sensors. With the sunset of 2G and 3G networks in some regions, the replacement of existing sensors is expected to impact shipment volumes in the coming years. The future of smart waste management looks promising as organizations prioritize sustainability and efficiency in waste management practices.