Dartmouth-based SimplyCast has partnered with the University of Regina to develop a smart waste management system aimed at reducing waste overflow and improving the efficiency of municipal waste collection.

The automation company said the project was developed in collaboration with the university through Mitacs, a national nonprofit that supports research and innovation partnerships between industry and academia. The work focuses on using data, automation and communication tools to address pressures on urban waste infrastructure.

The prototype was designed with the City of Regina in mind and models how intelligent automation could be applied to municipal waste operations. According to SimplyCast, early analysis of the system suggests it could reduce waste overflow events by 50 per cent, cut missed waste pickups by 72.7 percent, lower fuel consumption by 15.5 percent and improve bin utilization efficiency by 35.5 percent.

“Helping Canadian students gain real-world experience has always been a cornerstone of SimplyCast,” said SimplyCast President and CEO Saeed El-Darahali in a statement. “Year after year, students we work with return to SimplyCast because they understand the impact our platform can have on communities. This Smart Waste Management initiative is another powerful example of how automation can be applied to real-world challenges faced by cities today.”

The company said the improvements could lead to cleaner streets, reduced leakage of waste into landfills and waterways, and lower operating costs for municipalities.

The academic research component of the project was led by a team at the University of Regina’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Associate professor Sharfuddin Ahmed Khan supervised the work, which examined how predictive analytics, data-driven decision-making and adaptive communication tools could be used to improve waste collection outcomes.

Khan said the project provided hands-on experience for graduate student Abu Uddin while supporting Regina’s long-term sustainability objectives.

“This project not only supports Regina’s long-term sustainability goals but also provides valuable practical experience in developing smart city solutions that are scalable and socially impactful,” Khan said.

While the prototype was developed with Regina as the initial focus, SimplyCast said the system is designed to be scalable and could be adapted for use by other municipalities in Canada and elsewhere.

SimplyCast provides no-code automation and engagement software to governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.