Introduction
Construction sites generate vast amounts of materials and waste daily, requiring efficient tracking to ensure compliance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Traditional waste management processes rely on manual data entry, which is time-consuming, error-prone, and inefficient.
To tackle this, BRE developed SmartWaste Scan, a cutting-edge AI-driven solution that automates waste and materials management. Supported by Cielo Costa, SmartWaste Scan leverages Machine Learning (ML) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract, validate, and sync data with the SmartWaste platform—helping construction companies save time, reduce costs, and improve environmental compliance.
The Challenge: Inefficient Waste Tracking on Construction Sites
Tracking materials and waste on busy construction sites is complex, requiring workers to manually input data from delivery notes, waste tickets, and reports. This process is prone to human error, document loss, and delays—negatively impacting business performance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance.
With the rise of sustainability mandates and carbon reporting requirements, companies needed a faster, more accurate way to handle waste data. SmartWaste, a platform designed to help companies monitor environmental impact, was already in use—but it required a more integrated, on-site solution.
Key Challenges Identified:
- Time-consuming manual data entry.
- Risk of lost or inaccurate waste tracking documents.
- Lack of real-time data affecting reporting and compliance.
The Solution: SmartWaste Scan’s AI-Powered Automation
SmartWaste Scan revolutionizes waste management with AI and OCR technology. Instead of manual data entry, construction workers simply capture an image of a waste ticket or material delivery note—and the system automatically extracts and validates the data.
How It Works:
1️⃣ Capture – Take a photo via mobile, upload from desktop, or email the document.
2️⃣ Process – AI & OCR extract and validate data.
3️⃣ Sync – Data integrates seamlessly into SmartWaste.
4️⃣ Analyze – Users access real-time insights & reports.
Implementation & Overcoming Challenges
🚧 Challenge: Initial AI struggled with extracting data from paper forms.
✅ Solution: Cielo Costa trained machine learning models, testing multiple solutions to achieve high accuracy.
🚧 Challenge: Integrating third-party data (e.g., waste suppliers from DEFRA).
✅ Solution: The team collaborated with DEFRA, configuring the API to ensure seamless data flow.
Benefits & Achievements
SmartWaste Scan has already transformed six SmartWaste clients, helping them:
✔ Reduce processing time by 24%, saving hours per project.
✔ Cut manual data entry costs, increasing operational efficiency.
✔ Improve sustainability tracking, including Scope 3 carbon emissions.
✔ Enhance compliance with automated verification and audit trails.
✔ Enable real-time collaboration between contractors and suppliers.
Impact in Numbers:
📊 90M+ tonnes of waste tracked using SmartWaste.
📊 27,000+ projects managed, totaling £305B in value.
📊 Clients meet carbon neutrality goals more efficiently.
Conclusion: A New Era in Digital Waste Management
SmartWaste Scan is a game-changer for the construction industry, proving that AI and automation can drive real-world efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability.
BRE and Cielo Costa continue to innovate, ensuring that AI-driven waste management supports the industry’s journey toward net-zero.
