“We have completed several dozen projects focused on delivery. We simulated an opposite system, i.e. collection, for the first time in 2014, for the company ASEKOL,” explains Jan Šlajer, Managing Director of DYNAMIC FUTURE. The simulation model that they used, Witness, demonstrated the potential for significant financial savings. Putting the proposed optimization into practice confirmed it.

ASEKOL ensures the collection, transport, and recycling of end-of-life electrical appliances. They co-operate with towns, cities, & municipalities, services, and even schools during take-back.

Projects for waste collection specialists

“Our task was to analyze the method of collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment from the entire Czech Republic, and propose its optimization in order to reduce financial costs. The solution concerned not only the concept of logistics, but also the method of handling. Subsequently, we were asked to analyze the efficiency of using e-waste containers,” says Jan Šlajer.

The whole take-back system worked in such a way that the company divided the country into several zones, from which the e-waste was taken by hired carriers to transhipment points. There it was disassembled and transported to the line in Jihlava, where precious metals are extracted from it. DYNAMIC FUTURE analyzed the entire network, based on data from ASEKOL, and using the Witness simulation model, and subsequently they suggested how to decompose it in a more efficient way. Different types of electrical waste and different forms of collection had to be taken into account 

We increased the traction circuits, and increased the reaction time

“ASEKOL will consider CRT technologies, which are, for example, televisions, but also copiers, personal computers, and the like. For the collection of some items, it uses collection yards, cage containers, for others stationary containers or E-boxes. Originally, they worked in 40 zones, and we found that it would be more effective to reduce their number to 11. At the same time, we verified with the model that it is possible to extend the reaction time to be according to demand, i.e. to extend it from 5 to 7 days,” says the Company Representative, adding that an essential part of the co-operation process was to explain the changes to the carriers.

With the help of the Witness simulation programme, the savings potential in the collection system was demonstrated in the amount of CZK 8 million in 2015 and by another CZK 1 million more in 2016. For reasons related to contracts with municipalities, the final savings were realistically set at CZK 5 million.

“We have completed several dozen projects focused on delivery. We simulated an opposite system, i.e. collection, for the first time in 2014, for the company ASEKOL,” explains Jan Šlajer, Managing Director of DYNAMIC FUTURE. The simulation model that they used, Witness, demonstrated the potential for significant financial savings. Putting the proposed optimization into practice confirmed it.

ASEKOL ensures the collection, transport, and recycling of end-of-life electrical appliances. They co-operate with towns, cities, & municipalities, services, and even schools during take-back.

Projects for waste collection specialists

“Our task was to analyze the method of collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment from the entire Czech Republic, and propose its optimization in order to reduce financial costs. The solution concerned not only the concept of logistics, but also the method of handling. Subsequently, we were asked to analyze the efficiency of using e-waste containers,” says Jan Šlajer.

The whole take-back system worked in such a way that the company divided the country into several zones, from which the e-waste was taken by hired carriers to transhipment points. There it was disassembled and transported to the line in Jihlava, where precious metals are extracted from it. DYNAMIC FUTURE analyzed the entire network, based on data from ASEKOL, and using the Witness simulation model, and subsequently they suggested how to decompose it in a more efficient way. Different types of electrical waste and different forms of collection had to be taken into account

We increased the traction circuits, and increased the reaction time

“ASEKOL will consider CRT technologies, which are, for example, televisions, but also copiers, personal computers, and the like. For the collection of some items, it uses collection yards, cage containers, for others stationary containers or E-boxes. Originally, they worked in 40 zones, and we found that it would be more effective to reduce their number to 11. At the same time, we verified with the model that it is possible to extend the reaction time to be according to demand, i.e. to extend it from 5 to 7 days,” says the Company Representative, adding that an essential part of the co-operation process was to explain the changes to the carriers.

With the help of the Witness simulation programme, the savings potential in the collection system was demonstrated in the amount of CZK 8 million in 2015 and by another CZK 1 million more in 2016. For reasons related to contracts with municipalities, the final savings were realistically set at CZK 5 million.

 

So that the containers are clearly visible

The second, no less interesting part of the project, was the analysis of the distribution of red e-waste containers. A total of 40-50 containers were physically checked.

“ASEKOL representatives wanted to know what affects the filling of containers. We investigated which containers and why they have the potential to be used, and where and how problems arise. Among other things, we proposed, for example, that the containers have sensors reporting that they are full. We also discovered that containers are often damaged by people who steal from them, and thereby disrupt their functionality,” says Jan Šlajer.

The DYNAMIC FUTURE analysis showed that the greatest influence on the use of e-waste containers is their visibility. Where they were tucked away in cubicles with other segregated waste bins, people filled them less than when they were out in the open, in full view

“We assessed that even though the e-waste containers are red, and therefore easily distinguishable from the surroundings, it is necessary that people in the development do not miss them, and have them at an accessible distance. That’s the only way the containers performed their function effectively,” notes the Company Representative.

When the simulation is in place

According to Jan Šlajer, the co-operation with ASEKOL clearly shows that the dynamic simulation is well suited for strategic decision-making. However, it is not a tool suitable for operational management of collection, delivery, or anything else. A number of very good software options have already been designed for this

“We use Witness where a strategic decision needs to be made. It has enormous validity there. There is a lot of software for both B2B and B2C segments to optimize the pickups themselves, as was the case with Asekol. But that is no longer DYNAMIC FUTURE’s area,” concludes Jan Šlajer.