The Building Research Establishment (BRE) – the leading building science centre – has announced the launch of SmartWaste Scan, an AI-powered upgrade to its industry-leading waste management platform, SmartWaste.
Using AI, SmartWaste Scan removes the need for inefficient and laborious manual data entry processes, cutting costs and time for users.
With just a photograph of a waste ticket or material notes, SmartWaste Scan utilises Optical Character Recognition and Machine Learning to extract and verify data from such documentation, improving operational efficiency and compliance in the process.
The automation of these processes removes the risk of human error while bringing waste reporting under one platform. This provides a standardised route to maintaining oversight of subcontractors.
Six existing SmartWaste customers have already worked with the Smart Waste scan and achieved savings in every case as well as more accurate measurement and increased visibility ease of communication with main contractors.
Improvements found include:
- A 24% saving in processing time per document compared to manual data entry
- Improved integration and real-time updates and data sharing
- Mobile accessibility via the new mobile app supporting efficient and flexible working practices
- Enhanced compliance with reduced data errors and automated verification
- Seamless integration into the SmartWaste platform for existing users, meaning zero disruption to ongoing projects.
Jane Goddard, Managing Director, Building Performance Services and Deputy CEO of BRE, said: “SmartWaste has enabled thousands of projects to achieve and demonstrate best practice in sustainable construction. Our integration of AI into the platform keeps the service at the cutting edge of digital transformation in the sector, helping our clients and the planet as we collectively endeavour to reduce the impact of the built environment.
“SmartWaste Scan is a fantastic example of the positive potential of AI being realised and is part of a wider utilisation of the technology across BRE as we pursue ever more efficient systems and techniques.”
Subcontractors will also be able to submit a wider range of carbon data on the updated platform, including Scope 3 carbon emissions data alongside SmartWaste’s existing carbon reporting capabilities and full duty of care tracking. Headline sustainability metrics such as embodied carbon can therefore be more efficiently calculated and alleviate supply chain management demands.
SmartWaste is an all-in-one platform trusted by governments, industry and market leaders which enables the construction industry to monitor and reduce its environmental impacts. It has managed over 27,000 projects totalling £305 billion in value, helping track over 90 million tonnes of waste and consolidate approaches to carbon neutrality and standards compliance.
