Bin tracking is a prominent solution used by several sectors, including retail (in the form of RTIs, returnable transport items), manufacturing, logistics, and waste management. In the waste management sector, bin management typically means tracking of waste bins installed at several locations, either by municipal corporations or by private players that manage waste collection and waste disposal across an entire region.
In the retail and supply chain, bins and crates are primarily used as containers which are returnable in nature. It means that these bins are available in abundance and used to transport retail items, from manufacturers to suppliers and from suppliers to retail stores.
Now, managing bins manually, whether in retail or in waste management, is a difficult task that lacks a full picture. Bins are also used as rental assets, so the task of keeping track of an accurate count of bins, inventory control, tracking rental history, vendors, damages, repairs, and returns becomes more complex.
RFID-based bin tracking can easily streamline these tasks by tagging each and every bin with an RFID label or hard tag, whether in retail and supply chain or in waste management. So, let’s understand how a bin tracking system with RFID works and how it can unlock a greater degree of visibility in bin inventory and bin usage across market verticals.
What Do We Understand by RFID Bin Tracking?
As the name suggests, RFID-based bin tracking is a simple solution that utilizes RFID tags and readers to automatically identify and monitor bins, containers, or inventory items.
How bin tracking works, you might ask? Well, each bin is tagged with an RFID tag (RAIN RFID Label or hard tag), and RFID readers installed at key points (e.g., collection trucks, store entrances, warehouses) capture data whenever the bin or tagged item passes by. The solution gives you real-time tracking, automation, and data analytics for better visibility of bins and operational efficiency.
Let’s break it down for waste bin management and retail and supply chain bin tracking.
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RFID-Based Bin Tracking in Waste Management
In waste management, RFID tags are used to tag waste bins. RFID-based bin tracking helps municipalities or private waste collection companies identify and monitor bins by linking each waste bin to a specific location.
Examples: In the last few years, various Indian cities, or say municipal corporations, have started to implement RFID-based door-to-door waste collection. Some of these corporations are from cities like Delhi, Indore, Rohtak, Gurugram, Mumbai, Pune, Manesar, etc. They manage a lot of waste bins using RFID tags and also tag properties for seamless waste collection and waste disposal.
How to Get Started with Waste Bin Tracking using RFID?
To get started with waste bin management, you need to do a quick needs assessment, the no. of RFID waste bin tags and readers you might need, which depends on area size, inventory, and the size of the operation itself.
Here’s a quick guide:
1. Need Assessment
2. Tag your bins
a. Affix a durable RFID tag to each bin (weatherproof and heat-resistant).
b. Assign a unique ID to each household, route, or customer.
3. Integrate with collection vehicles.
a. RFID reader + GPS unit on trucks to automatically log bin pickup.
b. Optionally add weighing sensors for pay-as-you-throw systems. This is mostly used when private vendors are involved.
IoT weight sensor tags can be used here as well.
4. Data management
Cloud-based platform to store and analyze pickup data, route metrics, and service history.
Key Benefits of RFID Waste Bin Tracking in Waste Management
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S. No.
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Benefit
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Description
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| 1. |
Improved Accountability
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Automatically logs each bin collected, eliminating disputes over missed pickups.
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| 2. |
Optimized Routing
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GPS + RFID data enables efficient route planning and reduced fuel consumption.
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| 3. |
Data-Driven Billing
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Enables pay-per-use models (e.g., by weight or collection frequency).
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| 4. |
Reduced Operational Costs
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Less manual tracking, better resource allocation, fewer wasted trips.
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| 5. |
Customer Transparency
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Provides real-time collection data and service records for customers.
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| 6. |
Environmental Impact
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Promotes recycling and efficient waste collection, lowering emissions.
|
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RFID-Based Bin Tracking in Retail and Supply Chain, Logistics
In retail and supply chain, “bin tracking” often refers to managing inventory bins in warehouses, stockrooms, or distribution centers. RFID tagging allows real-time visibility of where each bin (holding stock items) is located and what it contains. Bin tracking is not just limited to stores and warehouses, though. RFID can also streamline bin management in logistics, keeping track of inbound and outbound bins.
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How to Get Started with RFID Bin Tracking in Retail and Supply Chain?
If you’re a retailer or a warehouse manager who uses lots of bins, here’s a quick guide to get started with RFID-based bin tracking. It starts with a need assessment and identifying the types of RFID tags and readers that might work well for you. Then comes solution design, system deployment, and integrations.
1. Identify use cases
Tracking return bins, order fulfillment totes, shelf replenishment, and backroom inventory.
2. Select hardware
a. RFID tags: Attached to bins, totes, or containers.
b. Readers: Fixed readers at dock doors, storage zones, or mobile handheld readers.
c. Antennas: Placed at choke points like conveyors, loading bays, or retail exits.
3. Integrate with retail systems
Connect RFID tracking data with your ERP, WMS (Warehouse Management System), or POS to sync inventory visibility.
4. Deploy gradually
Start with a pilot area (e.g., returns section or stockroom) before scaling across multiple stores or warehouses.
5. Optimize and Analyze
Use real-time dashboards to monitor bin location, utilization, and cycle times.
Key Benefits Retailers Can Unlock with RFID Bin Tracking
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S. No.
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Benefit
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Description
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| 1. |
Real-Time Inventory Visibility
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Know exactly where bins and items are across stores and warehouses.
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| 2. |
Reduced Shrinkage & Loss
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Prevent lost or misplaced inventory bins.
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| 3. |
Faster Stock Replenishment
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Automated alerts when bins are empty or misplaced.
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| 4. |
Labor Efficiency
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Reduces manual scanning, counting, and searching.
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| 5. |
Improved Order Accuracy
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Ensures correct bins reach the right store or customer order.
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| 6. |
Better Supply Chain Insights
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Data analytics on movement, storage, and demand trends.
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To summarize, RFID-based bin management and bin tracking is a simple yet pretty effective solution that replaces manual counting of bins, manual bin management in waste management, picking up bins, keeping track of waste disposal in areas, and accurate billing, etc. In retail and supply chain as well, bin tracking is quite useful, yet slightly different from what we do in waste bin tracking.
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