In the latest episode of Lead with AI, Dr. Tamara Nall speaks with Sandeep Sankarankutty, VP of Operations at Recycle Track Systems, who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that drives true innovation. As employee number one at the company he helped start in 2015, Sandeep brings a unique perspective to the intersection of technology and sustainability. His decade-long journey in transforming waste management represents how AI can revolutionize even the most traditional sectors while maintaining the human connections that make these industries work.

What makes Sandeep's insights particularly valuable is his deep understanding of both the technical and human aspects of waste management. Unlike many tech entrepreneurs who approach problems purely through digital solutions, Sandeep recognizes that "waste and waste management. It's a people business. It's a community business." This foundational understanding has shaped how Recycle Track Systems implements AI technology, ensuring that innovation enhances rather than replaces the community relationships that define the industry.

This blog explores how AI-powered sensors and IoT devices are transforming an industry that most people take for granted. Through smart technology, predictive analytics, and a commitment to transparency, Recycle Track Systems is not just managing waste more efficiently but fundamentally changing how businesses and communities think about sustainability and resource management.

The Perfect Storm: Why Waste Management Was Ready for AI Disruption  

When Sandeep and his co-founders launched Recycle Track Systems in 2015, they recognized a convergence of factors that made waste management ripe for technological transformation. The iPhone had matured into a viable business tool, geolocation technology was enabling companies like Uber to scale rapidly, and sustainability was becoming a genuine business priority rather than just a marketing talking point.

The timing was perfect because the waste management industry faced mounting pressure on multiple fronts. Corporate sustainability goals were becoming mandatory rather than optional, driven by both consumer demand and regulatory requirements. Yet the industry lacked the technological infrastructure to provide the transparency and data that these new sustainability initiatives required. As Sandeep explained, "Our goal was to really solve this problem of like electronic waste recycling and organics recycling and seeing how we can bring some transparency into that world. Because at this point, a lot of folks were talking about it, but the numbers just weren't adding up."

What distinguished their approach was recognizing that technology had to respect the industry's community-oriented nature. The waste management sector operates on relationships and trust built over decades. Any technological solution would need to enhance these connections rather than replace them. This insight shaped their development philosophy and continues to influence how they roll out new AI and IoT capabilities across their platform.

The Pello Smart-Bin Sensors: Transforming Garbage Bins Into Smart Data Collectors  

The breakthrough technology that sets Recycle Track Systems apart is their Pello Sensor System, which transforms ordinary commercial garbage bins into intelligent data collection points. These sensors can detect what type of waste is being deposited, identify contamination in real-time, and provide analytics that facilities managers have never had access to before. As Sandeep noted, "It is insights that no facilities managers or no sustainability teams have ever had before."

The sophistication of this system extends well beyond simple monitoring. The sensors can distinguish between different waste types, detect when recyclable materials are being contaminated by general waste, and even identify patterns that predict operational issues. In one example Sandeep shared, the system can detect when a bin is "stuffed with cardboard then all of a sudden we see traditional waste go on top of it. That entire cardboard pile is now ruined, right?" This real-time contamination detection enables immediate educational interventions rather than discovering problems after the fact.

The data collected enables multiple layers of optimization that were previously impossible. Beyond monitoring waste composition and contamination levels, the AI algorithms analyze patterns in waste generation to optimize collection routes, reducing unnecessary truck trips and lowering emissions. More importantly, the sensor data enables targeted education that helps organizations actually achieve their sustainability goals. Rather than hoping employees follow general recycling guidelines, facilities managers can now identify specific contamination issues and provide precise training to address them.

The Magic Moment: When Reactive Industries Become Proactive Operations  

One of the most striking aspects of the conversation was Sandeep's description of how their technology transforms the customer experience in ways that feel almost magical. He shared a scenario that perfectly illustrates this transformation: "Imagine just onboard it onto RTS. We've installed all these sensors in your bins and all of a sudden you run into maybe a hiccup. But you actually already, we're already aware of the hiccup, right? Because of the cameras and sensors. Whether it's a missed pickup or contamination or some sort of you know, maybe it could even be a dumpster fire, a literal dumpster fire."

The transformation happens when customers receive proactive communication about problems they don't even know exist yet. "And that magic of, you know, opening up your inbox or getting a text from us saying, Hey, we noticed that there's something wrong here. And this is what's happening. We're going to take care of it. We're on it. We'll keep you updated," represents a fundamental shift in how service industries operate. Instead of customers discovering problems when they look outside and notice uncollected waste, issues are identified and resolved before they impact operations.

This proactive approach extends throughout their operations, affecting both customer experience and employee satisfaction. As Sandeep observed, this transformation means "your day doesn't start out with stress. Your day is like proactive. And I understand how I'm gonna help my customers." The entire industry dynamic shifts away from crisis management toward strategic planning, with AI providing the early warning system that makes this possible.

Building AI That Enhances Rather Than Replaces Human Connections  

Despite implementing sophisticated AI and IoT systems, Sandeep maintains a clear philosophy about the role of technology in human-centered industries. "Keeping a human in the loop for all of these interactions also really matters," he explained, reflecting a broader commitment to using AI as an enhancement tool rather than a replacement strategy.

This ethical framework shapes how they think about the future of work in waste management. Sandeep predicts that "30% or more of like the back end low hanging fruit office tasks are going to go to genetic systems," but he views this as an opportunity for workers to focus on higher-value activities. By automating routine, deterministic tasks, AI enables employees to spend more time on strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and the complex customer interactions that require human judgment and empathy.

Looking toward 2030, Sandeep envisions waste management becoming increasingly transparent and educational. His vision includes helping children understand recycling in ways that connect their actions to real environmental outcomes, moving beyond simple sorting exercises to understanding the complete lifecycle of materials. "We create the transparency, we educate people, and we force the conversation. And then we can tie it to real business results, which ideally is a win for everyone."

The technology serves not just operational efficiency but also broader community engagement around sustainability. At sports venues like Citi Field where the Mets play, they've implemented cycle vending machines where fans can return cans and bottles for vouchers to win free tickets or merchandise. This gamification approach to recycling has helped increase diversion rates by 55%, showing how AI-powered insights can be translated into engaging customer experiences.

Practical Steps for Organizations Ready to Embrace Smart Waste Management  

For organizations considering AI-powered waste management, Sandeep offers concrete advice based on his decade of experience implementing these solutions across diverse commercial environments:

1. Visit existing implementations such as Citi Field in New York to see the integration of sensors, signage, and customer engagement systems in action

2. Observe the complete ecosystem including back-end sensor installations and real-time data collection capabilities

3. Ask about specific metrics like diversion rates, contamination reduction, and operational efficiency improvements

4. Evaluate transparency benefits and how detailed reporting could support your organization's sustainability goals

5. Consider operational improvements such as proactive alerts and optimized collection scheduling

6. Assess scalability for multi-location organizations seeking unified waste management across portfolios

The key insight Sandeep shared is that smart waste management addresses multiple stakeholder needs simultaneously. Facilities managers gain operational efficiency and proactive problem resolution. Sustainability teams get the data and insights they need to achieve environmental goals. Organizations can engage employees and customers in more meaningful ways around recycling and waste reduction.

Taking Action on Intelligent Waste Management  

The conversation with Sandeep reveals that every facilities manager and sustainability professional should explore how AI-powered waste management can benefit their organization. The technology has evolved beyond experimental implementations to proven solutions that deliver measurable results across diverse commercial environments.

The most appealing aspect of Recycle Track Systems' approach is how it creates value across the entire ecosystem without compromising the human relationships that define the waste management industry. With clients ranging from major sports stadiums to large commercial real estate portfolios across North America, they've demonstrated both the scalability and effectiveness of their AI-powered approach.

Organizations ready to move beyond traditional waste management have a clear path forward. The question isn't whether this technology will become standard but whether your organization will benefit from early adoption or wait until the competitive advantages have already been captured by others.

The future of waste management is here, and it's more intelligent, proactive, and sustainable than ever before. The only question is whether your organization is ready to embrace it.

To learn more about how Recycle Track Systems can help your organization transform waste management through AI-powered sensors and proactive operations, connect with Sandeep Sankarankutty on LinkedIn or visit info@rts.com. Discover how implementing smart waste management technology can turn operational challenges into sustainability victories while reducing costs and environmental impact.

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