In a world where cities are growing fast and sustainability is more critical than ever, Ecube Labs has emerged as a game changer in the waste management sector. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Ecube Labs has been transforming the waste management landscape with its IoT-driven, data-centric approach.

With operations spanning over 61 countries and 300+ city projects, the company has rapidly become a global expert in optimizing waste collection — cutting costs, reducing emissions, and elevating service quality for municipalities and private operators alike.

With active deployments in 30+ U.S. cities, including Baltimore, Charleston, New York, and even Disney properties in Florida and Shanghai, Ecube Labs is showing how scalable ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) technologies can make a meaningful difference.

Their solutions are perfectly tailored for local governments, smart city planners, and public infrastructure partners looking to adopt scalable, proven ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) technologies.

Global Reach, Local Impact

Ecube Labs has established a robust global distribution and partnership network, collaborating with key partners such as MKM Cube (Italy), HMC Tech (Saudi Arabia), and others.

Its growing sales pipeline includes city governments, parks, universities, and high-profile clients like Times Square (New York), the National Park Service, and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism.

With over 10,000 units sold to date, Ecube is poised for even broader expansion.

What Does Ecube Labs Offer?

At the heart of Ecube’s offering are its four signature technologies:

• CleanCUBE — A solar-powered smart bin with 300kgf compaction strength, holding 5x more waste than regular bins. Its rugged design fits urban alleys, parks, malls, and public spaces. New features like ToF sensors, Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) updates, and interchangeable parts enhance longevity and flexibility.
• CleanFLEX — An attachable fill-level sensor for various bins, including dumpsters, public cans, and textile collection boxes. Using Time-of-Flight (ToF) or Ultrasonic Wave (USW) technology, CleanFLEX ensures no container is serviced too soon or too late.
• CleanTRACK — A GPS + OBD device that tracks vehicles in real-time, reporting data such as RPM, fuel efficiency, engine performance, and tire pressure. This reduces maintenance issues and improves fleet safety.
• CleanCityNetworks (CCN) — The total monitoring platform that connects all hardware, delivering powerful analytics, predictive insights, and optimized collection routes to municipal and private waste operators.

This deep insight helps cities identify anomalies, optimize fleet performance, reduce fuel consumption, and prevent costly breakdowns or accidents.

Business Innovation: The Haulla Platform

Beyond hardware, Ecube Labs launched Haulla, a platform that:

• Uses AI + IoT sensor data to detect when bins are full and optimize pickup schedules.
• Helps clients secure waste collection contracts at competitive rates by matching them with local haulers who submit the lowest bids.

With over 6,200 customers as of March 2024 and contracts spanning 30 cities across 17 U.S. states, Haulla has grown over 20% per quarter, reaching nearly $20 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR).

Tackling Industry Inefficiencies

The U.S. produces some of the highest per capita waste globally, yet the waste collection industry remains largely dominated by three legacy giants (Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections) whose profits rely primarily on price increases, not service innovation.

Ecube Labs and Haulla disrupt this model by:

• Providing real-time, sensor-driven waste data.
• Reducing unnecessary collections.
• Increasing customer satisfaction with reliable pickups and transparent pricing.
• Collaborating with local haulers to drive competition and improve profit margins.

Future Plans and ESG Leadership

Looking ahead, Ecube Labs is investing in:

• AIoT-powered recycling object recognition (targeting high-value recyclables like tires, scrap metal, cardboard, and plastics).
• Autonomous waste collection technologies to further reduce labor costs.
• Expanding its direct collection teams for high-margin customers.

By 2028, the company projects annual revenues surpassing $60 million and expects to become cash-flow positive by 2026.

Leadership and Vision

Led by CEO Sunbeom (Sean) Gwon and an experienced international management team, Ecube Labs combines engineering expertise with sharp business strategy. Its lean operational model spans Seoul headquarters, a U.S. hub in Houston, and distributed sales teams in Mexico and the Philippines, keeping costs competitive while expanding global reach.

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