AI Trash Watchers Are Keeping Russian Cities Clean
Across Russia, smart surveillance systems are monitoring waste collection sites and catching offenders in real time.
In the city of Kostroma, authorities have deployed an AI-powered monitoring system called Strazh (“Guardian”) to oversee garbage collection areas and detect violations. The technology uses video analytics to identify license plates and faces of individuals who dump trash outside designated bins — a common problem in urban areas.
Those caught on camera face fines of 4,000–5,000 rubles (roughly $40–$55). And according to local officials, hitting offenders in the wallet has proven to be one of the most effective deterrents.
AI Goes Regional
Kostroma isn’t alone. Similar intelligent waste-control systems are now operating in Saratov, Rostov-on-Don, Leningrad Region, Buryatia, and Sevastopol, among others.
Beyond spotting violators, these AI cameras also monitor garbage collection schedules. If a waste management operator misses a pickup or leaves an area overflowing, the system automatically sends a real-time alert to regional authorities.
By combining machine vision with automated reporting, Russia’s growing network of digital “trash watchers” is turning waste management into a data-driven discipline—one where order is enforced not by inspectors, but by algorithms.
