“You are more likely to be bitten by a shark when you eat ice cream”, according to Artificial Intelligence.

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Statistically speaking, this is true. Hotter days bring out ice-cream-eating bathers. And sharks like bathers.

Based on the headline alone, you could choose to stop enjoying ice-creams. Or you could eat your ice cream, fearing where the next shark will appear from. Or sit in your home with the air-conditioning on.

But with the insight to drill into artificial intelligence, you’ll understand the connections, and you will be able to enjoy your ice creams, the weather, and the surf, provided you take heed when the lifeguards put out the warning calls.

Why waste a good ice cream?

And there is my segway into ‘Waste’.

We have enjoyed stable prices for decades. More efficient supply chains, improved processing and sorting capabilities, and circular economy rebates have kept the lid on Waste Management expenses.

But the Waste industry has been volatile over the last two years:

Increased compliance, new government policy, stagnation in the circular economy
Covid disrupting scheduling, availability of drivers
Increased fuel costs and tip fees, reduced rebates
Disrupted supply chains, China’s National Sword policy, catastrophic events
Increased consumer awareness around unsustainable practices, reputational risk
Increasing clearance fees, new ‘levies’ being introduced on your invoices

Which brings me back to the shark. Sharks are not evil. In a recent documentary, I watched a pack of them hoover up a dead whale. Better them than me. Sharks are a necessary element of the food chain and to be respected. We should let them go about their business and, at the same time, keep a watchful eye.

Enter the lifeguards. Lifeguards have bells, whistles, alarms, lookouts, binoculars, boats, and access to important people (police, ambulance, coast guard). Of course, it’s possible to bring many of these accoutrements to the beach yourself to keep safe. But then you wouldn’t have a hand free for your ice cream, you’d have suntan lotion on your binoculars, and you’d need to keep your eye on your stuff while swimming. So, you probably wouldn’t swim as most of us don’t have an eye watching out for sharks in the back of our heads. Maybe have another ice cream and sweat it out on the beach?

Or you could choose to swim outside the flags where it is less busy and less likely to have your stuff stolen off the beach. But then, you are more likely to be the statistic supporting the headline.

My point is that at ERA, we are the lifeguards. We have insight into the habits of sharks and swimmers. We have the attention span, equipment, knowledge, and connections within the Waste industry to allow you to enjoy your ice cream without worries. Probably many more ice creams with the savings and peace of mind we generate.

Rolls (Roelant) Hofmans

Data Scientist / Circular Economist

+64-274754200

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