WASTE CONTAINER TRACKING: A SUCCESS STORY FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Skip container tracking helps waste management businesses monitor where their assets are, how they move, and whether they are being used efficiently. For operators working with construction and industrial clients, this visibility is essential for keeping equipment in circulation and avoiding unnecessary purchases.

A company in South Africa faced this exact challenge and used Teltonika EYE Sensors ATEX and Trackio’s asset tracking platform to gain reliable data on skip movement, utilisation, and service activity.

THE CHALLENGES OF LIMITED WASTE CONTAINER VISIBILITY

Skips are usually deployed across different locations, and their status can become difficult to manage. Without reliable data, operators may struggle to answer key questions:

• Has the skip been collected or emptied?

• Is the container still in active use?

• How long has it been sitting on-site?

• Could it be redeployed elsewhere?

• Is the company buying new units while existing assets remain underused?

  
  

For this waste management company in South Africa, limited service and utilisation data made fleet planning less efficient. The challenge was not only knowing where containers were, but also understanding which assets were active, idle, missing, or ready to be redeployed. Trackio’s data, gathered through market research and customer discussions, shows why this visibility matters: when operations rely on manual processes, operators may face up to 40% underused assets, 10% asset loss, and 8% servicing gaps.

BLE-BASED SKIP TRACKING WITH EYE SENSOR ATEX

To address these challenges, the company implemented a Bluetooth Low Energy-based tracking solution using EYE Sensor ATEX devices, which are installed directly on skip containers.

The ATEX model was selected for its robust design, making it suitable for demanding environments where skips are exposed to rough handling, outdoor conditions, and heavy-duty daily operations.

Vehicles collecting the skips were equipped with GPS trackers that acted as gateways. They captured data from EYE Sensor ATEX devices and transmitted it to the Trackio platform, where activity could be visualised and analysed.

Every pickup, tip, or drop-off was automatically recorded without driver input, helping the operator verify servicing more reliably and reduce dependence on manual checks.

WHAT CAN WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES LEARN FROM THIS?

This example shows that skip tracking is not only about knowing where assets are. It is about understanding how they are used and where operational value is lost.

For waste management companies, reliable service and movement data can help:

• Improve visibility across distributed skip fleets

• Verify collection and servicing more accurately

• Identify idle or underused containers

• Redeploy existing assets instead of buying new ones

• Reduce manual checks and improve operational control

• Support scalable operations across construction and industrial sites

  
  

According to Trackio, waste management companies typically spend around 5% of their fleet value on new assets each year. For a fleet of 3,000 skips, where one skip costs $1,800, this could mean up to $270,000 spent annually on additional equipment. By identifying idle equipment, operators can redeploy existing units instead of buying new ones.

Another example highlights the cost of missed service records. With 8,000 services per month, 8% unrecorded activity, and an average service value of $100, missed revenue could reach $64,000 per month. Automated service capture helps reduce this risk by recording activity directly from field operations.

With the right BLE sensor and gateway setup, companies can turn simple movement data into practical insights for better planning, billing, and asset control.

THE RESULT: BETTER CONTROL OVER SKIP FLEETS

By using EYE Sensor ATEX devices, GPS trackers, and the Trackio platform, the waste management company improved fleet visibility and asset utilisation.

The company from South Africa gained more reliable service data, reduced the need for unnecessary investment in new skips, and improved control over assets deployed across multiple locations. For construction and industrial environments, this created a scalable solution that supports more efficient waste management operations.

Want to implement this solution in your business? Read the full use case: Waste Container Tracking with ID Beacons and Sensors or fill out the contact us form, and our team will reach out to you.