Case Study: Quatra - Optimising Used Cooking Oil Collection with SmartEnds
- Joe Leech
- Mar 12
- 2 min read
Overview
Quatra, the market leader in used cooking oil collection, partnered with SmartEnds to revolutionize its collection process. By deploying 5,000 SmartEnds Smartbin sensors across major fast-food chains like KFC, Burger King, and McDonald's, Quatra has transformed its oil collection operations across multiple European countries.
Challenges Faced by Quatra
Before the implementation of SmartEnds Solutions, Quatra struggled with several operational inefficiencies:
● Unoptimised Collection Schedules: Used cooking oil collection was scheduled at fixed intervals, leading to unnecessary pickups of half-filled containers or missed collections of full ones.
● High Operational Costs: Maintaining a fleet of 200 trucks resulted in excessive fuel consumption and labor expenses.
● Limited Real-Time Insights: Lack of data on oil usage trends made inventory management difficult for restaurants and Quatra alike.
● Environmental Concerns: Unnecessary truck movement increased carbon emissions, impacting sustainability efforts.
SmartEnds Solution
To tackle these challenges, Quatra deployed 5,000 SmartEnds Smartbin sensors to monitor the fill levels of used cooking oil and new oil inventory at 130,000 restaurants.
Key components of the solution included:
○ Real-time monitoring of used oil levels to optimise pickup schedules.
○ Alerts for low new oil levels to ensure timely replenishment.
○ Tamper and leakage detection for enhanced security and safety.
○ Dynamic routing based on real-time oil fill levels, reducing unnecessary trips.
○ Predictive analytics to plan collection schedules based on historical data.
○ Fleet size reduction from 200 trucks to 160 trucks, optimising operational efficiency.
○ Turn-by-turn navigation for optimised collection routes.
○ Instant alerts for real-time changes in oil levels.
○ Data-driven insights for improved decision-making.
Results & Key Achievements
Since implementing SmartEnds Solutions, Quatra has seen significant operational improvements:
Metric | Before SmartEnds | After SmartEnds |
Fleet Size | 200 Trucks | 160 Trucks (20% reduction) |
Collection Efficiency | Fixed schedules, inefficiencies | Dynamic, need-based pickups |
Operational Costs | Rising costs from unnecessary trips | 30% savings through optimised routes |
CO₂ Emissions | High due to excessive truck movement | Reduced by 25% |
Oil Supply Management | Manual tracking, stock-outs | Automated alerts, continuous supply |
Testimonials from Quatra
"SmartEnds has been a game-changer for Quatra. By reducing our fleet size and optimizing collection schedules, we have significantly lowered costs and improved sustainability while maintaining top service for our restaurant partners." – Operations Manager, Quatra
"Thanks to real-time oil level monitoring, we no longer deal with stock-outs or overflows. The seamless automation has allowed us to focus on delivering premium service to our restaurant clients." – Logistics Coordinator, Quatra
Conclusion
By integrating SmartEnds sensors, BrighterBins AI-driven route optimisation, and real-time monitoring, Quatra has streamlined its collection processes, reduced operational costs, and improved sustainability. The successful implementation of this solution underscores the power of AI-driven waste and resource management in transforming industries.
Next Steps
With the success of this project, Quatra is now exploring further scalability across additional restaurant locations and integrating ESG reporting tools for enhanced sustainability tracking.
For more information on how SmartEnds Australia can optimise your resource collection, visit www.smartends.com.au or contact us at info@smartends.com.au
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