Background
IPL Global, a leader in manufacturing containers, carts and handling units of food, agriculture and waste management, has been in operation for over 17 years. Following a merger with Schöller, IPL has expanded globally, with strong operations in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. A core product, the Enviro Cart, relies on embedded RFID technology to help municipalities track individual carts, manage collection routes and associate containers with specific households.
Challenge
Municipalities increasingly depend on accurate data collection to optimize waste and recycling programs. Each Enviro Cart is outfitted with a single RFID tag that links the cart to a household. This allows cities to:
- Identify each cart at the household level
- Track waste and recycling collection
- Measure weight and volume of collected materials
- Support enforcement and compliance programs
However, the system depends entirely on the quality of the RFID tag. If a tag fails, the city’s ability to track and manage that cart is compromised. IPL previously worked with other suppliers but experienced inconsistent antenna quality, unreliable scanning and risks of failure during door-to-door deployment.
For IPL, these issues posed significant challenges. Failed tags created operational disruptions because carts could not be properly logged or associated with households. In addition, municipalities expect flawless deployment and reliable service, so any tag failures carried risks to customer satisfaction. Finally, with IPL providing a 10-year warranty on its carts, ensuring long-term RFID performance was critical to upholding customer trust and maintaining product integrity.
As Stéphane Marceau, Category Manager at IPL explained, “If the antenna doesn’t work properly, we can have a big problem. Every cart has one label and if it fails, it creates major issues for us and our clients.”
Solution
IPL turned to Metalcraft for a durable and consistent RFID label solution. Working closely with Metalcraft’s team, IPL established:
- Quality Controls: Rigorous inspection and testing procedures were implemented to ensure every RFID label met performance standards before application.
- Stable Product Design: Metalcraft maintained consistent construction of the RFID labels, avoiding unannounced changes that could disrupt IPL’s production or invalidate customer warranties.
- Responsive Service: Metalcraft’s team collaborated with IPL to address past challenges, ensuring improved stability and lead times.
Marceau emphasized that IPL values suppliers who not only provide strong pricing but also deliver reliable service and long-term partnership. “Price is important, but quality and stability are critical. We need partners who support us, especially as we grow.”
Result
The partnership with Metalcraft has delivered measurable results for IPL. Enhanced quality controls and consistent production have improved reliability by reducing the risk of defective tags in the field. This has strengthened customer confidence, as municipal clients now benefit from dependable RFID-enabled carts that integrate seamlessly with their waste management software. In addition, the stability and performance of Metalcraft’s RFID labels support IPL’s growth, allowing the company to confidently expand into U.S. markets and scale its Enviro Cart program with assurance that the technology will deliver.
Looking ahead, IPL anticipates continued growth in waste management tracking, with increasing demand for smart data collection on weight, recycling compliance and citizen accountability. By standardizing Metalcraft’s RFID labels across all carts, IPL ensures cities have the tools they need today – and the flexibility to adapt to tomorrow’s requirements.