University Campus Saved 56k In Trash Costs By Reducing Inefficient Compactor Hauls

The Challenge

A large Southern university was experiencing inefficiencies across its campus waste operations. Missed hauls, rigid service schedules, and consistently low-tonnage pickups across multiple compactors made it difficult for facilities teams to manage costs or hold vendors accountable. With limited visibility into actual compactor fullness, service levels remained disconnected from real demand, particularly during seasonal occupancy shifts at summer and winter breaks.

The Solution

Starting in October 2024, the university deployed multiple DSQ Pioneer Compactor Monitor devices across campus. Once trained, the compactor monitoring system began predicting fullness levels and identifying inefficient hauling patterns. Using insights from the compactor fullness monitor, the facilities team adjusted service strategies, moving away from fixed schedules and toward on-call pickups where appropriate. This allowed hauling activity to align with actual demand while maintaining service reliability during peak and low-occupancy periods.

Cumulative Results After 15 Months of Monitoring

With multiple monitors operating in parallel, the university experienced a compounding effect: each additional device improved system-wide visibility, strengthened predictive accuracy, and amplified operational savings across campus.

Hauling Cost Impact

• $56,499 in hauling costs avoided
• 58% reduction compared to baseline operations

Pickup Optimization

• 368 pickups avoided
• 63% reduction in total hauls

GHG Emissions Reduction

• 31,527 pounds of GHG emissions avoided
• 63% reduction

These results reflect cumulative performance across 10 active monitors, working together as a coordinated compactor monitoring system rather than isolated devices.

Operational Takeaways

By replacing static hauling schedules with predictive, data-driven decision-making, the university gained control over its waste operations. The compactor monitor insights enabled facilities teams to reduce inefficiencies, adapt to changing campus conditions, and manage vendor performance more effectively, without disrupting daily campus activity.

The DSQ Pioneer Compactor Monitor

The DSQ Pioneer Compactor Monitor provides real-time visibility into compactor fullness and uses predictive analytics to determine when service is actually needed.

By eliminating unnecessary low-tonnage hauls and supporting on-call pickup strategies, DSQ Pioneer helps organizations:

• Reduce hauling costs
• Improve operational efficiency
• Lower emissions over time.

For large campuses and distributed operations, deploying multiple monitors creates a compounding effect, delivering greater accuracy, stronger insights, and sustained savings as more data is collected across locations.

Dealing with occupational changes? Read how DSQ Pioneer helped a hotel reduce their trash spend by 33%

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