Unlocking value from household waste

This solution uses AI to gain valuable insights from what users throw away

Spotted: India is one of the highest generators of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the world, producing 62 million metric tonnes every year. Half of that ends up in rubbish dumps, and only a tiny fraction gets recycled. Making waste treatment more sustainable and efficient requires information on the kinds of waste being thrown out, which is where Bintix comes in.

The Hyderabad-based startup believes that household waste is full of value, but it’s currently not treated as such. In order to change that, Bintix aims to paint a more detailed picture of what’s getting thrown in the bin. As part of the free subscription-based service, users dispose of their dry waste in Bintix QR-coded bags, which are collected on designated days by the Bintix team.

The company then uses AI and machine learning to tag and capture information about the waste in every bag, and these advanced insights are available to view on the Bintix dashboard. Bintix then pays subscribers for their waste and sorts the various types of waste – from plastic bottles and paper cups to old keyboards and aluminium foil – so that it can be sent to the right place, including recycling centres.

Bintix serves individual households and resident associations, as well as public sector enterprises and consumer goods companies. Via the dashboard, individual users can track their earnings and waste generation over time waste, along with specific insights into their environmental impact, whether that’s the emissions avoided or trees saved by engaging in more responsible waste disposal. This encourages individuals to be more mindful of the waste they’re creating, and governments can use broader consumption trends to shape public policy. Consumer goods companies can also use the data to make more sustainable decisions when it comes to product and packaging design.

Since its founding in 2018, Bintix has completed 1.3 million home pickups, onboarded over 33,000 households across seven different cities, and prevented over 3,600 tonnes of waste from being sent to landfills or the ocean. With the support of partners like Google, McKinsey & Company, and Kellogg’s, Bintix is working on expanding its impact internationally.

Written By: Matilda Cox