25,000 Garbage Trucks Under Smart Monitoring: Russia Deploys Digital Waste Control
Russia is undergoing a digital transformation in municipal services. A new federal system now tracks nearly all garbage trucks in the country, strengthening oversight and reducing illegal dumping.
Universal Coverage and Total Control
According to the Russian Environmental Operator (REO), out of more than 25,000 garbage trucks entered into the federal information system for municipal solid waste (FGIS UTKO), about 18,500 are regularly monitored through GLONASS. The scale of deployment is impressive: with nearly 100% coverage of operating vehicles nationwide, authorities can track routes in real time, identify suspicious stops, and prevent illegal dumping.
Particular attention is being paid to nine regions experiencing problems with data transmission: Dagestan, Ingushetia, Yakutia, Kalmykia, North Ossetia–Alania, Ivanovo, Omsk, and Magadan regions, as well as Sevastopol. These areas are under special supervision by the federal task force overseeing waste management.
Technological Foundation and Integration
FGIS UTKO is part of a broader digital ecosystem that includes the Digital REO portal, which offers 25 digital tools for waste management, circular economy initiatives, and environmental monitoring.
It is also integrated with the state Eco-Monitoring system, which aggregates environmental data from over 100 sources, covering air, water, soil, radiation, and waste management.
Artificial intelligence and big data technologies analyze photos and videos to automatically detect illegal dumps and optimize garbage truck routes.
Better Oversight, Less Waste
The introduction of digital waste management systems is already producing tangible results. For citizens, it raises environmental awareness and reduces the number of illegal dumps.
For the government, it increases efficiency, lowers ecological risks, and boosts confidence in digital solutions. For CIS countries and other partners, the system demonstrates how large-scale digitalization and GLONASS integration can be applied to environmental monitoring.
In the medium term, the system may expand by adding analytical modules to forecast landfill overflows and optimize truck routes, and by integrating with other platforms such as online landfill monitoring and digital twins of infrastructure facilities.
However, nationwide deployment still faces challenges: ensuring the technical stability of GLONASS monitoring, protecting sensitive data, and supporting lagging regions.
The Key to Success: A Systemic Approach
Over the past five years, Russia has made significant progress in digitalizing waste management. FGIS UTKO was launched in December 2023, and since then, regional authorities, waste management operators, and businesses in the sector have been required to upload data into the system.
At the same time, REO expanded its digital platforms, including the Digital REO portal and new digital tools for waste management and eco-monitoring.
In 2024, the first phase of the Eco-Monitoring system went online. By processing photo and video data from landfills with AI and big data, the system covered 266 cities. On March 1, 2025, it was fully commissioned nationwide.
Digital Technology Beats Waste
Online tracking of garbage trucks marks an important stage in the digitalization of waste management. The integration of GLONASS, AI, and digital twins has greatly strengthened oversight and environmental safety.
This digital transformation in municipal services and waste management illustrates how modern technologies can boost efficiency and environmental protection. The rollout of FGIS UTKO and its integration with Eco-Monitoring are crucial steps toward building a comprehensive waste management system. Further development will help Russia meet its sustainable development goals and strengthen its position as a leader in environmental digitalization.
