By Greentech Lead America: IBMÂ has collaborated with Recology, San
Francisco’s resource recovery company, to continue reducing landfill disposal
by further improving recycling programs. The program aims to help the city
achieve zero waste by 2020.
Currently San Francisco’s diversion rate totals 78
percent, the highest in the country. The city is targeting to become the first
in North America to achieve zero waste. San Francisco greenhouse gas emissions
are nearly 12 percent below 1990 levels and have exceeded emission reduction
goals set by both the State of California and the United Nations.
Recology in partnership with Key Info Systems, IBM
Business Partner, is using IBM’s Smarter Computing approach to IT to manage and
mine large sets of data to determine types and quantities of materials in San
Francisco’s waste stream. With the use of IBM’s Power System, Recology
pinpoints the location, types and amount of waste that needs to be collected
for sorting or composting.
IBM’s Power System allows Recology to identify the most
effective recycling programs for different business districts and
neighborhoods. With the use of IBM’s Smarter Computing technology Recology is
able to manage and maintain its complex operation and route dispatching of
trucks.
Through this recycling program Recology customers
in San Francisco have reduced the garbage they send to the landfill by 49.7
percent, from 730,000 tons in 2000 to 367,300 tons in 2011. Recology offers 20
distinct recycling programs in San Francisco, more than any other city in the
U.S.
The Curbside Compost Collection Program provided by
Recology in San Francisco has diverted 1.1 million tons of food and plants from
landfill disposal. Since its inception, the compost collection program has
reduced carbon emissions by more than 347,500 metric tons.
IBM to assist oil and gas firms to reduce environmental impact
Recently, IBM was selected for a research project to
develop an integrated environmental monitoring system aimed at helping oil and
gas companies minimize the environmental impact of their operations.
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