Introduction
Installing food waste monitoring technology in a commercial kitchen is straightforward—but it helps to understand what's involved before you start. This guide walks through every step, from initial planning to go-live, so facilities managers, installers, and kitchen teams know exactly what to expect.
FoodSight uses an all-in-one unit called Scrappy—an integrated scale and AI camera that you simply place your waste bin on top of. The camera is pre-positioned, so there's no adjustment needed. The unit connects via built-in cellular (standard) or ethernet/PoE for maximum reliability.
Most installations take 15-30 minutes per station. There's no permanent modification to the kitchen, no WiFi configuration headaches, and no disruption to service. But proper planning makes the difference between a smooth rollout and unnecessary delays.
What This Guide Covers
- Compliance requirements: NSF, UL, FCC, and what actually applies
- Site assessment: choosing locations, power access, WiFi coverage
- Hardware installation: mounting, positioning, and calibration
- Network setup: WiFi configuration and enterprise network considerations
- Staff training: getting kitchen teams on board from day one
Pre-Installation Planning
Good planning prevents 90% of installation issues. Before scheduling the install, work through these key questions with your facilities team and the FoodSight implementation manager.
Stakeholder Alignment
Successful installations involve multiple stakeholders. Make sure these people are informed and aligned:
- •Executive Chef / Kitchen Manager — Understands the goals, supports the initiative, will champion with staff
- •Facilities / Engineering — Provides power outlet locations, WiFi access, any building-specific requirements
- •IT / Network Team — Approves network access, provides credentials, whitelists devices if needed
- •Sustainability / Operations Lead — Primary contact for data access and reporting requirements
Site Information Checklist
Gather this information before installation day:
Scheduling the Install
Installation typically takes 30-60 minutes per station. For most kitchens, we recommend scheduling during prep hours before service begins. This allows:
- •Time to test connectivity and calibrate without service pressure
- •Opportunity for brief staff training before the rush
- •Flexibility to adjust positioning if initial placement isn't optimal
Compliance & Certifications
One of the most common questions from facilities teams and equipment installers is: "What certifications does this need?" The answer depends on understanding what type of equipment food waste monitors actually are.
The Short Answer
FoodSight devices are non-food contact, low-voltage electronics. They don't require NSF certification (that's for food-contact equipment), and the low-voltage design means they don't need the same electrical certifications as heavy kitchen equipment. They are safe, legal, and standard for kitchen environments.
NSF Certification
NSF certification is primarily required for equipment that comes into direct contact with food—like slicers, prep tables, mixers, and dishwashers. The certification ensures equipment can be properly sanitized and won't harbor bacteria.
Because FoodSight is a waste-tracking tool (cameras and scales positioned at waste bins), it is classified as non-food contact equipment. The device never touches food that will be consumed—only food that's already been discarded.
What About Kitchen Hygiene?
While not NSF-certified (because it's not required), FoodSight devices are IP-rated for kitchen environments. This means they're protected against dust and moisture from cleaning and kitchen humidity.
Electrical Safety (UL/NRTL Listing)
Some facilities teams ask about UL listing or NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) certification. This is a reasonable question—commercial kitchen equipment often requires these certifications for electrical safety.
Here's why FoodSight's approach is different:
- •Power over Ethernet (PoE): The Scrappy unit is powered via PoE when connected to ethernet. This means power and data come through a single ethernet cable from your network switch—no mains power connection at the device.
- •Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV): PoE operates at 48V DC maximum—well below the threshold requiring heavy electrical certification. The device itself runs at even lower internal voltages. SELV devices are inherently safe.
- •No Mains Connection: Because the device uses PoE, there's no power adapter or mains plug at the device location. The PoE switch (typically in a comms room) handles the mains connection.
Wireless Compliance (FCC, CE, UKCA)
Because FoodSight devices use cellular and/or ethernet to transmit data, they require wireless certification in each region. This ensures the device doesn't interfere with other equipment and operates within approved frequency bands.
FCC (US)
Federal Communications Commission certification for wireless devices sold in the United States. FoodSight devices are FCC certified.
CE Marking (EU)
Conformité Européenne marking indicates compliance with EU directives including the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) for wireless devices and Low Voltage Directive (LVD) for electrical safety. FoodSight devices carry CE marking.
UKCA (UK)
UK Conformity Assessed marking required for products sold in Great Britain post-Brexit. Equivalent to CE marking for UK market. FoodSight devices carry UKCA marking.
IP Rating for Kitchen Environments (Intl.)
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings are an international standard (IEC 60529) indicating how well a device is protected against dust and water. For kitchen environments with steam, grease, and regular cleaning, this matters.
FoodSight devices are designed for the realities of commercial kitchens—they can handle humidity from cooking, steam from dishwashers, and proximity to cleaning activities.
Summary: Compliance at a Glance
Site Assessment
Before installation, assess each location where you'll place a monitoring station. The ideal placement captures all food waste while fitting naturally into kitchen workflow.
Choosing Waste Stations
Most kitchens benefit from monitoring these waste streams:
- •Prep waste: Trimmings, peels, expired ingredients. Usually the largest controllable waste stream.
- •Line/production waste: Over-production, mistakes, dropped items. Reveals training and process issues.
- •Plate waste (wash-up): What customers leave behind. Indicates portion sizing and menu issues.
- •Buffet/display waste: End-of-service items from buffets, display counters, grab-and-go.
Location Requirements
For each station, verify:
Connectivity (Choose One)
Cellular (standard): Works out of the box with built-in SIM. No network configuration needed—just place and go. Ideal for quick deployments or sites with complex IT policies.
PoE/Ethernet (recommended for reliability): Single cable provides both power and network. More reliable than cellular, preferred for permanent installations. Requires ethernet drop within cable reach of station.
Floor Space
The Scrappy unit sits on the floor with your bin on top. You need about 50cm x 50cm of floor space—roughly the footprint of your existing bin. The unit is low-profile and designed to fit where bins already sit.
Workflow Fit
The station should be where staff naturally dispose of food waste. Don't ask them to change their workflow significantly—place the system where the waste already goes.
Site Assessment Checklist
- Identified all waste stations to monitor
- Decided on connectivity: cellular or PoE/ethernet
- If PoE: confirmed ethernet drop locations or PoE switch access
- Verified floor space for unit (~50x50cm per station)
- Checked station doesn't block emergency exits or pathways
- Photographed each location for installation reference
Hardware Installation
Installation is designed to be quick and non-invasive. The Scrappy unit is all-in-one—scale and camera integrated—so there's no separate mounting or positioning required. Just place it and put your bin on top.
What's in the Box
- •Scrappy unit (integrated scale + AI camera, pre-configured)
- •Ethernet cable (if using PoE)
- •Quick start guide
All-in-One Design
Unlike older systems that require separate camera mounting and angle adjustment, Scrappy integrates everything into a single unit. The camera is pre-positioned at the optimal angle—no adjustment needed. This dramatically simplifies installation and eliminates common setup errors.
Installation Steps
Position the Unit
Place the Scrappy unit where the waste bin currently sits. The unit should be on a reasonably level surface—most kitchen floors work fine. That's it for placement.
Connect (Choose One)
Option A - Cellular: Nothing to connect. The unit has built-in cellular and will connect automatically when powered on. Ideal for quick setup.
Option B - PoE/Ethernet: Connect the ethernet cable to the unit and your PoE switch. This provides both power and network through one cable—more reliable for permanent installations.
Place Your Bin
Put your existing waste bin on top of the unit. Standard 60-120L bins work perfectly. The integrated camera has a clear view of the bin opening from its fixed position.
Remote Calibration
Once connected, our team calibrates the scale remotely—you don't need to do anything. We'll confirm when calibration is complete and the unit is ready for use. The entire process typically takes a few minutes.
Installation Tips
- •Level surface: The unit works on most kitchen floors. If the floor has a noticeable slope, consider repositioning.
- •Bin size: Standard 60-120L bins work perfectly. Contact us if you have unusual bin sizes.
- •PoE cable routing: If using ethernet, route cables along walls or in cable trays to avoid trip hazards.
- •Cellular signal: Built-in cellular works in most locations. Basements or heavily shielded buildings may benefit from PoE instead.
Network & Connectivity
Scrappy units come with built-in cellular connectivity—they work out of the box with no network configuration. For sites wanting maximum reliability, PoE/ethernet is available as an alternative that provides both power and network through one cable.
Connectivity Options
Cellular (Standard)
Built-in 4G/LTE with pre-installed SIM. Works immediately with no IT involvement. Ideal for sites with complex network policies, quick deployments, or locations without ethernet infrastructure. Data usage is minimal (~100MB/month per device).
PoE/Ethernet (Recommended for Reliability)
Single ethernet cable provides both power and network. More reliable than cellular—no signal variability. Requires PoE switch (802.3af/at) and ethernet run to each unit location. Preferred for permanent, mission-critical installations.
When to Use PoE vs Cellular
Both options work well. Here's how to choose:
Choose Cellular When:
- • You want the fastest possible deployment
- • IT approval processes would delay rollout
- • No ethernet infrastructure near waste stations
- • Temporary or pop-up installations
Choose PoE When:
- • Maximum reliability is important
- • Basement or signal-challenged locations
- • You have existing network infrastructure nearby
- • IT prefers devices on managed networks
PoE Network Requirements
If using PoE/ethernet, coordinate with IT on:
PoE Switch
Requires 802.3af (PoE) or 802.3at (PoE+) compatible switch port. Power draw is minimal (~15W max per device).
Network Access
Device needs outbound HTTPS (port 443). If using VLANs, place on IoT or guest VLAN with internet access. MAC address whitelisting can be provided if required.
Firewall Rules
Outbound HTTPS only—no inbound connections required. If your firewall blocks by domain, we can provide specific endpoints to whitelist.
Data Security
Security-conscious organisations should know:
- •All data transmitted over HTTPS (TLS 1.2+)
- •Device authenticates with unique certificates
- •No sensitive business data captured—only food waste images and weights
- •GDPR compliant data handling
IT Coordination Tip
Loop in IT at least one week before installation. Send them this guide and our network requirements document. Most issues come from last-minute network surprises that could have been solved in advance.
Staff Training
Technology is only as good as its adoption. Getting kitchen staff on board from day one determines whether the system delivers results or gathers dust.
The Good News: Minimal Behaviour Change
FoodSight is designed to fit existing workflows. Staff don't need to:
- Log into apps or enter data manually
- Categorise waste by type
- Remember to scan or weigh items
- Change where they throw food waste
Staff simply throw waste in the bin as they always have. The AI does the rest.
What Staff Need to Know
Keep training simple. Cover these points:
1. Why We're Doing This
Explain the goals: reducing costs, meeting sustainability targets, or improving efficiency. People engage more when they understand the purpose. Avoid framing it as surveillance—it's about measuring waste, not monitoring people.
2. How It Works
Quick explanation: the camera identifies what's thrown away, the scale measures weight, and the data helps us see where waste happens. Show them the dashboard briefly so they understand what the data looks like.
3. What Changes (Almost Nothing)
Emphasise that their workflow doesn't change. Just use the bin normally. The only request: make sure waste goes in the monitored bin, not random containers nearby.
4. What Not to Do
Don't cover the camera. Don't unplug the device. Don't throw non-food items in the food waste bin (it confuses the AI). If something seems wrong, tell a manager rather than trying to fix it.
Addressing Common Concerns
- "Am I being watched?" — The camera only sees the bin. It doesn't record people or track who threw what. It's about measuring waste totals, not individual behaviour.
- "Will I get in trouble for waste?" — No. Some waste is unavoidable. The goal is to find patterns and fix systemic issues—like ordering too much or portion sizes being wrong. Not to blame individuals.
- "This seems complicated." — It's not. Just use the bin normally. That's it. The technology handles everything else automatically.
Ongoing Engagement
After go-live, keep staff engaged by:
- •Sharing weekly waste summaries in team briefings
- •Celebrating wins when waste decreases
- •Discussing top waste items and brainstorming solutions
- •Recognising staff who suggest improvements
Go-Live Checklist
Before considering the installation complete, run through this checklist to ensure everything is ready for production use.
Hardware Verification
- All Scrappy units powered on and showing active status
- Bins correctly placed on top of each unit
- Remote calibration confirmed complete by FoodSight team
- If PoE: ethernet cables secured and not creating trip hazards
- Units on level floor surface
Connectivity Verification
- Device showing online status (cellular or PoE connected)
- Data uploading to cloud (verify in dashboard)
- Test waste event captured and displayed correctly
- If cellular: adequate signal strength confirmed
Dashboard Setup
- Site/location names configured correctly
- Station names match physical locations (e.g., "Prep Station 1")
- User accounts created for key stakeholders
- Email alerts configured (if desired)
Training & Handover
- Kitchen staff briefed on system purpose and operation
- Manager trained on dashboard access and reporting
- Support contact information provided
- First-week check-in scheduled
Troubleshooting
Most issues have simple solutions. Here are the common problems and how to resolve them.
Device not connecting (Cellular)
- • Check cellular signal indicator on device
- • Try repositioning unit away from metal structures
- • Basement or heavily shielded locations may need PoE instead
- • Contact support—SIM may need activation
Device not connecting (PoE)
- • Verify ethernet cable is securely connected at both ends
- • Confirm PoE switch port is enabled and providing power
- • Check if MAC address whitelisting is required
- • Verify firewall allows outbound HTTPS (port 443)
- • Test with a different switch port
Data not appearing in dashboard
- • Check device shows online status
- • Wait 5-10 minutes for initial data sync
- • If PoE: confirm firewall allows outbound HTTPS
- • Device stores data locally during outages—will sync when reconnected
- • Contact support if issue persists
Scale readings seem inaccurate
- • Contact support to request remote recalibration
- • Ensure unit is on a level surface
- • Check nothing is leaning on or touching the bin
- • Verify bin is centred on the unit
Camera not recognising food items
- • Check camera lens is clean (wipe gently)
- • Ensure nothing is blocking the camera view into the bin
- • Verify adequate lighting in the area
- • AI improves over time with more data
- • Contact support if recognition issues persist
Device offline or unresponsive
- • If PoE: check ethernet connection and switch port status
- • If cellular: check signal strength indicator
- • Disconnect ethernet for 30 seconds, then reconnect
- • Contact support for firmware issues
FAQs from Facilities Teams
Questions we commonly hear from facilities managers, installers, and IT teams.
Does this require any building modifications?
No. The Scrappy unit sits on the floor—just place your bin on top. With cellular, you don't even need network access. With PoE, you just need an ethernet run to the location.
What happens if connectivity is lost?
The device stores data locally and syncs when connectivity is restored. Short outages don't cause data loss. This works for both cellular and PoE connections.
How often does the device need maintenance?
Minimal. Occasionally wipe the camera lens if it gets dusty or splashed. The device receives automatic firmware updates over WiFi. There are no consumables to replace.
Can the bin still be emptied normally?
Yes. Staff empty the bin as usual—just lift it off the scale, empty it, and put it back. The system automatically detects bin changes and recalibrates.
What size bins work with the system?
Standard 60-120L bins work best. We can accommodate other sizes with positioning adjustments. Let us know your bin setup during planning and we'll confirm compatibility.
Is the camera recording video of staff?
No. The camera only captures images of food waste in the bin. It's positioned to see the bin opening, not the surrounding area. It's designed to measure waste, not monitor people.
What certifications does the equipment have?
FCC (US), CE (EU), and UKCA (UK) certified. Powered via PoE or cellular—no mains connection at the device. IP-rated for kitchen environments. NSF certification isn't required as it's non-food contact equipment. See the Compliance section for full details.
Who do we contact for support?
Your FoodSight implementation manager is your first point of contact. We also provide email and phone support during business hours. Critical issues can be escalated 24/7.
Sources & References
UL Solutions
NSF International
Federal Communications Commission
International Electrotechnical Commission
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
World Resources Institute