THE CITY OF OAKLAND will deploy artificial intelligence-assisted drones to proactively detect abandoned trash on streets as part of its plan to crack down on illegal dumping, city officials announced this week.
The drones, called Aerbits, will scan the streets, identify garbage piles, and use AI to classify debris so that authorities can initiate cleanup efforts before receiving complaints from residents, a news release from Mayor Barbara Lee’s office said.
“Oakland residents and businesses deserve clean streets, and today we are one step closer to a safer, cleaner, and greener Oakland,” said Lee in the news release issued Thursday.
Manufactured by a San Francisco-based municipal infrastructure company that is also called Aerbits, the drones are one component of the city’s larger efforts to fight illegal dumping, a problem that has plagued the city for years.
Efforts to address illegal dumping
In April, an audit by the City Auditor’s Office found that high waste disposal costs, gaps in enforcement, and limited access to legal dumping options are contributing to illegal dumping in the city.
That same month, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that increased penalties for illegal dumping in the city.
In the June 2 election, voters rejected Measure E, a proposed parcel tax to raise revenue to tackle illegal dumping, among other issues like homelessness, public safety, and emergency services.
Also in June, the city announced that San Francisco-based philanthropic organization Crankstart will invest $9.275 million to prevent new illegal dumping, clean up existing dumping sites, deploy Aerbits, and add more illegal dumping cameras for enforcement in Oakland.
At the time, Aerbits founder Brian Johnson had addressed data privacy concerns and emphasized that the drones do not capture individuals’ faces or license plates of cars.
Oakland’s Privacy Advisory Commission has also approved the drones, city officials said.
A broader cleanup strategy
Prior to launching in Oakland, Aerbits ran a self-funded 13-month pilot program between 2022 and 2023 in San Francisco, which led to a 96% reduction in active dumpsites, according to the company’s website.
In addition to drones for detection of dumping sites, the city is also trying to prevent dump sites from cropping up to begin with.
In July, for instance, Oakland Public Works announced the revival of “Bulky Block Parties,” a quarterly event during which residents can dispose of bulky items like mattresses, furniture, and electronic appliances for free.
The next Bulky Block Party is scheduled for Oct. 24.
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