Commercial Waste Collection Comes of Age

New York-based startup Recycle Track Systems (RTS) is helping to revolutionize the way commercial waste is collected, sorted and recycled.

Dubbed the ‘Uber of trash’, RTS works with local, independent haulers by outfitting their vehicles with proprietary routing technology. This allows collection routes to be streamlined, as well as enabling vehicles and pickup sites to be kept in constant two-way communication via text and email.

The end result?

Organizations such as restaurants, schools and supermarkets can dispose of their commercial waste easier, smarter and more responsibly.

The company was founded in 2014 by Gregory Lettieri and Adam Pasquale, and to date, has raised more than $11 million in investment capital and attracted in excess of 500 customers. These customers include the Pierre Hotel, Soul Cycle, WeWork and Whole Foods.

What exactly does RTS offer their customers?

Well, its main offering is a software platform and associated mobile app. This technology allows customers to schedule on-demand or regular pick-ups of their commercial waste (e.g., food waste, e-waste or reusable items such as furniture).

With food waste, RTS aims to take this straight to farms for it be converted to soil. With waste contaminated with plastic, RTS takes this to a special facility for it to be cleaned.

You may be surprised to learn that RTS does not own any waste trucks. Instead, the company partners with haulers, who are provided with tablets loaded with RTS software. However, RTS owns and provides waste and recycling containers to its customers.

The company’s software platform allows detailed waste diversion metrics, such as:

• how much was diverted from a landfill
• where it went
• when it got there

This allows customers to track and advance their sustainability goals using verifiable data.

As well as its smart pick-up service, a company expert is also available to teach customers how to be more sustainable.

RTS currently offers its services in Baltimore, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C., and the company is B Corp Certified for their responsible business practices and honored as ‘Best For Environment’ on B Lab’s 2018 list.

To find out more about RTS and its innovative services – please visit their website.

Craig J Todd – Freelance writer with a passion for tech, trends and simplicity.

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