This paper presents preliminary findings from a
big data analysis and GIS to identify the efficiency of waste
management and transportation in the City of Stockholm.
The aim of this paper is to identify inefficiencies in waste
collection routes in the city of Stockholm, and to suggest potential
improvements. Based on a large data set consisting of roughly
half a million entries of waste fractions, weights, and locations,
a series of new waste generation maps was developed. This was
the outcome of an extensive data curation process, followed by
batch geocoding of the curated entries. Thereafter, the maps were
generated that describe what waste fraction comes from where
and how it is collected. Finally, a preliminary analysis of the
route efficiency was conducted. Maps of selected vehicle routes
were constructed in detail and the efficiencies of the routes for
the first half of July 2013 were assessed using the efficiency index
(kg waste/km). It is concluded that substantial inefficiencies were
revealed, and a number of intervention measures are discussed to
increase the efficiency of waste management, including a shared
waste collection vehicle fleet.