Douglas Borough Council has won the Quality Improvement Award 2017 for its ‘intelligent’ street litter bins fitted with Enevo waste analytics sensors that detect level and frequency of use.

Presented by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy the awards recognise the achievements of local authorities, businesses and land managers across the UK in improving the quality of public spaces through campaigns, innovations and partnerships.

Environmental services committee chairman Ritchie McNicholl said: ‘The waste analytics data the sensors provide means bin emptying can be programmed by demand rather than by schedule. It also allows us to relocate seldom-used bins to areas where the need is greater, as well as deploy of our workforce more effectively.

‘To receive this award is independent recognition of the council’s pioneering approach to responsible, energy-efficient waste management. It is also testimony to the vision and creativity of our waste services team for embracing technology that goes a long way to reducing incidences of overflowing bins and so makes a positive difference to the street scene and town centre environment. I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this award which is helping to promote Douglas as a forward-looking innovative local authority.’

Waste services were also a finalist in the Best Waste Recycling Campaign category for its recycling videos on recyclenow.im.

Separately the parks service was a finalist in the Innovation category for its rain water harvesting system, producing peat-free compost from recycled green waste and for its use of air source heat pump technology at Ballaughton nursery.

Photo: Waste services’ operative James Murphy and driver Mike Roach, environmental services committee chairman Ritchie McNicholl and senior engineering and waste services manager Andy Crook. Picture Andrew Barton

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