Smart waste innovation tackles $75 million problem: Protecting businesses from cooking oil theft

Businesses and property owners face mounting challenges in waste management, from costly used cooking oil theft to unexpected septic tank overflows. According to the North American Renderers Association, an estimated $75 million worth of used cooking oil disappears from U.S. businesses annually—a figure that experts predict will only climb higher.

Sensoneo, a leading data-driven waste management technology provider, announces an innovative solution to address these critical issues.

“When thieves steal used cooking oil from restaurants and collectors, they’re not just taking a waste product – they’re stealing a valuable resource that can be sold for biodiesel production,” says Tomas Vincze, Waste Collection Management Division Director at Sensoneo.

“Our new radar technology with fill level monitoring system, which notifies users of sudden level changes, helps protect businesses from these increasingly common thefts. Initial pilot projects have already demonstrated remarkable success.”

At the heart of this innovation is the Radar Sensor, an advanced technology for monitoring liquid fill levels in various substances, including oil, underground water, and corrosive materials like kerosene. Unlike traditional ultrasonic sensors, the Radar Sensor features a fully enclosed, waterproof IP69 casing without transmission horns, making it exceptionally durable in harsh environments.

The sensor integrates seamlessly with Sensoneo’s software platform, enabling automated dynamic route planning for more efficient collections. If unexpected events occur, such as drops in fill levels, the system immediately notifies the user. This is especially beneficial for collection companies working with valuable materials, helping prevent theft. On the other hand, household kerosene tanks can now be easily refilled by suppliers without the risk of running out of oil, making logistics planning much more efficient. Connectivity is ensured through IoT networks with options for NB-IoT or CAT-M1.

The system’s radar technology enables non-invasive measurements through non-metallic materials, allowing accurate readings even through walls of plastic bins. With radar waves smaller than ultrasonic waves and superior reflection capabilities, the technology performs excellently with both metal and plastic containers. These features make the Sensoneo Radar Sensor particularly effective for monitoring:

Used cooking oil bins and dumpsters Kerosene levels in plastic tanks Septic tanks Hazardous waste

Key benefits for different stakeholders:

Used cooking oil collectors can protect their valuable resources with instant theft alerts Homeowners can prevent heating oil shortages Property managers can avoid septic tank overflow incidents Industrial facilities can monitor hazardous waste levels safely and remotely

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