Norwaste, in collaboration with 10 intermunicipal waste management companies, has carried out a comprehensive time-use study of waste collection routes. By measuring actual time spent on regular routes, a new and more precise knowledge base is being established for operations, planning, and cost calculations in waste collection.
Actual time use in waste collection
The mapping is based on field observations where waste collection vehicles were followed on regular routes, and all relevant time use was recorded. This provides a realistic picture of how collection is actually carried out, rather than basing analyses on assumptions or standard time estimates.
The analyses show how factors such as the number of containers, walking distances, staffing levels, and choice of vehicle affect time use. Differences between the use of single-compartment and dual-compartment vehicles have also been examined.
Several people at Norwaste have extensive experience in the waste management sector, and we are not aware of this having been done before. The route planning systems we know typically rely on a fixed stop time, and we can already see that actual time use varies significantly depending on different conditions. Participants in the project will gain access to high-quality data that clearly demonstrates how time use differs based on the choices made, and we will be able to help them balance routes properly so they fit within a working day.
Broad participation and practical value
The project has been carried out in collaboration with waste management companies from across the country. The broad participation makes it possible to capture variations in operating models and local conditions, while the data is anonymized and cannot be linked to individual operators.
Early experience shows that this type of mapping provides a solid basis for improved planning, more accurate route design, and more predictable cost calculations. Norwaste will share further insights once the analyses are finalized and looks forward to contributing knowledge that strengthens decision-making for more targeted and resource-efficient waste collection.
