Customer satisfaction is a vital aspect of any municipal service, and the efficient management of waste and recycling is no exception. To ensure that residents’ needs are being met, cities are increasingly turning to innovative software-based solutions.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of putting residents at the forefront of technological change in waste and recycling management and explore the experiences of innovative cities that have embraced these solutions. By using cutting-edge tools like RUBICONSmartCity™, these cities have been able to enhance customer satisfaction, optimize operations and create a more sustainable environment for their residents.

Case Study: Houston, Texas

Prior to deploying Rubicon’s technology, Houston faced mounting waste management challenges, including missed services and inefficient routes.

Houston’s teams in the field faced long distances and costly go-back trips, with some round trips reaching up to 75 miles. Rubicon’s route assist feature revolutionized the City’s approach by optimizing routes and preventing overlapping services. With a click of a button, supervisors can allocate specific parts of a route to different drivers, eliminating the redundant and wasteful scenario of multiple trucks on the same route. The result is streamlined operations, reduced fuel consumption and improved time management.

Rubicon’s technology transformed Houston’s waste management processes, improving customer resolutions and overall system functioning. Houston exemplifies the positive impact of technological advancements on customer happiness and operational efficiency.

Case study: Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Cleveland Heights, in its transition from manual, paper-based waste operations to Rubicon’s digital platform, witnessed remarkable improvements in recycling rates. However, it became evident that a portion of the increase was due to improper recycling practices, sometimes known as “wishcycling.” To address this, the City used Rubicon’s data and analytics platform to help educate residents about correct recycling practices through personalized letters, which helped the City avoid taking punitive measures.

To further enhance efficiency, Cleveland Heights employed Rubicon’s route assist feature. This collaborative effort improved service completion and overall customer satisfaction. By leveraging Rubicon’s technology, Cleveland Heights successfully tackled the challenge of wishcycling, educated residents and optimized waste collection processes.

Read the full article about how cities are leveraging technology at Smart Cities Dive.