TAKING OUT THE TRASH (AND THE RECYCLABLES): RFID AND THE HANDLING OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

This article examines how RFID (radio frequency identification) is poised to help transform the way we handle our trash - our MSW (Municipal Solid Waste). We provide an overview showing that trash trends in the United States are not good, as modern life has meant increasing volumes of trash that can be disposed of in fewer and fewer landfills. We examine how RFID can be employed in the MSW area to both facilitate the growth of PAYT (Pay as You Throw) use-based billing for waste management services and to promote incentive-based recycling programs, both of which aim to reduce the amount of trash entering our landfills. We discuss the prospects for the future as RFID is introduced into what is now a $52 billion market for waste handling.