How can a composting site use computer vision to keep track of windrows and incoming loads?

---
title: "How to monitor compost piles with computer vision"
description: "Photos of each incoming load at the tipping floor, and regular photos of the windrows from a fixed camera, a vehicle or a drone, feed a model trained on the site own images. At intake it marks likely contaminants such as plastic film, bags, glass and metal, so staff can pull them early or follow up with the hauler. On the pad it estimates the size and shape of each windrow, notes when a pile was last turned and flags piles that look dry, steaming unevenly or slumped. Results are tagged with the load or windrow ID so the site lead can plan turning, watering and screening. Aim cameras at loads and piles, not at people, and blur anyone who appears. Site staff review the flags and decide what to pull, turn or water. The model does not replace temperature probes, lab tests or permit rules, which stay in place, and people make every process and release call."
url: https://lidvizion.ai/answers/how-to-monitor-compost-piles-with-computer-vision/
site: Lid Vizion
index: https://lidvizion.ai/llms.txt
---

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# How can a composting site use computer vision to keep track of windrows and incoming loads?

Photos of each incoming load at the tipping floor, and regular photos of the windrows from a fixed camera, a vehicle or a drone, feed a model trained on the site own images. At intake it marks likely contaminants such as plastic film, bags, glass and metal, so staff can pull them early or follow up with the hauler. On the pad it estimates the size and shape of each windrow, notes when a pile was last turned and flags piles that look dry, steaming unevenly or slumped. Results are tagged with the load or windrow ID so the site lead can plan turning, watering and screening. Aim cameras at loads and piles, not at people, and blur anyone who appears. Site staff review the flags and decide what to pull, turn or water. The model does not replace temperature probes, lab tests or permit rules, which stay in place, and people make every process and release call.

## What this means in practice

- Start with intake photos at one tipping floor.
- Label photos from your own loads for plastic, glass, metal and other contaminants.
- Add windrow photos on a set schedule from one camera or route.
- Tag every result with the load or windrow ID.
- Keep temperature probes, lab tests and permit rules in place.

## How Lid Vizion approaches it

We start with the business decision and operating context, define ownership and measurable milestones, then use configuration, integrations, automation, or custom software only where each earns its place.

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