Try before you buy – CitySolar piloting brings certainty to investment

Smart, solar-powered CitySolar waste bins are generating increasing interest in cities and municipalities. But as with all new solutions, one question often arises: will this work in our environment and truly bring benefits?

To address this need, Finbin offers the CitySolar piloting model.

Practical Experience Before Commitment

The idea of piloting is simple: the customer gets to test CitySolar bins in their own operating environment for 12 months. The bins are installed in a selected street or park location, where their functionality and impact can be monitored in daily use, under real operating conditions.

At the end of the pilot, the decision on continuation is easy to make. Practical data and experiences will show whether it is worthwhile to expand the solution.

Why is piloting worthwhile?

1. Verifiable Savings and Impacts
Piloting provides concrete evidence of cost and emissions savings. Instead of making decisions based on estimates, data from your own site is available.

2. Data to Support Decision-Making
Over the year, comprehensive information on waste accumulation and fill levels is collected. This allows for optimization of emptying intervals and more efficient use of resources.

3. Testing Digital Tools in Practice
At the same time, the FinBin Connect cloud service and its benefits, such as real-time monitoring and data-driven operational development, can be tested.

4. Collaboration with Local Actors
Piloting offers an opportunity to develop waste management operating models together with local partners. This ensures that the solution works seamlessly as part of the existing infrastructure.

5. Communication Value
Piloting is not just a technical experiment; it is also a communication opportunity. Local media, educational institutions, or residents, for example, can be involved, increasing awareness of the circular economy and smart urban solutions.

A Flexible Path Forward

At the end of the pilot, the municipality has a clear understanding of the benefits and functionality of the solution. Based on this, progress can be made according to the municipality's own goals and timetable.

If the pilot demonstrates clear benefits, the CitySolar solution can be expanded to new locations, continue with a service model, or transition to equipment procurement.

If, however, it is determined that the time is not yet right for a broader implementation of smart waste management, the pilot does not obligate further action. The bins can be returned at the end of the pilot, and decision-making can be deferred to a more opportune time in the future.

This makes piloting a truly risk-free way to test a new solution.

What does piloting include?

The piloting package is designed to be as effortless as possible for the customer. It includes, among other things, the delivery and installation of the devices, support for commissioning, and basic maintenance services during the piloting period.

Case Halmstad – Smart Waste Management with CitySolar and CityPack Solutions

Halmstad (approx. 60,000 inhabitants) on Sweden's west coast is a good example of the practical implementation of smart waste management. The city has deployed over 130 CitySolar and CityPack bins, which are connected to the Finbin Connect platform.

Thanks to the solution, Halmstad has been able to optimize its emptying rhythm with real-time data. This has reduced unnecessary emptying, lowered transport costs, and decreased emissions. At the same time, analytics has provided valuable insights into bin utilization rates and helped allocate resources more efficiently.

Halmstad's experience shows how smart solutions like CitySolar and Finbin Connect analytics support each other – and offer a concrete, scalable model for new pilot projects as well.

Smart Waste Management as Part of a Broader Smart City Concept

CitySolar is one component of a modern, smart urban environment. Smart waste management can be expanded by connecting a fill level sensor to other waste and sorting bins as well.

Fill level measurement brings smart waste management into everyday life even without compacting bins. When combined with the Finbin Connect cloud service, real-time fill level monitoring helps to:

• reduce unnecessary emptying
• optimize waste collection routes
• lower costs
• improve the cleanliness of the urban environment

The solution is particularly suitable for locations where usage varies or the need for emptying is difficult to anticipate.

Compatible Bin Solutions

Fill level measurement is available for several Finbin bin models, enabling flexible and site-specific implementation:

• CityPack waste bins
• EkoCity and EkoCity Flow sorting bins
• Loop outdoor sorting bins
• City 200 waste bin

This allows smart waste management to be built in stages – by combining CitySolar bins and sensor solutions into a unified, data-driven system.

Do you want to see how CitySolar works specifically for your site?
Piloting offers a risk-free way to find out what benefits smart waste management can bring in practice. Contact your local sales representative and let's find the best solution for you!