Dive Brief:

• The Board of Estimates in Baltimore, Maryland has approved a pilot program to purchase 9,250 RFID trash bins for two neighborhoods at a cost of $578,000.
• The program is an attempt to improve waste management by monitoring household waste. It is hoped that the bins will also reduce rodent infestations and curb wayward litter while encouraging recycling and sustainability practices.
• Controversy arose when the companies who lost the contracts claimed their bids were lower, but the debate was stopped by the council president, followed by the approval of the contract by the board.

Dive Insight:

It was found that Toter, the company who won the contract, wasn't the lowest bid. The board maintains that the direct bid prices weren't factored into the decision. The bids were recalculated, causing Toter to win the contract.

After 18 months of using the new receptacles, the city may introduce 190,000 more bins at a cost of $1,859,579, if the pilot program is deemed a success. The company who won the bin bid, Toter LLC, is hoping to introduce its line of "granite" style bins to Baltimore. The city will also outfit 11 of the 91 trucks in its fleet with an automated arm in order to collect the new bins effectively.