Hi everyone,
I’m starting a drone service business (based in Europe/Italy) and I want to specialize in a specific sector: Waste/compost management and landfills.
I already have a background working as a project manager in industrial waste logistics, so I know the industry, but I'm relatively new to the UAV mapping side.
My business model would consist in providing regular volumetric reports (cut/fill, stockpile inventory) and 2D/3D digital twins for internal corporate use (inventory management, tracking compaction rates, ESG compliance).
I am strictly avoiding any legal/boundary surveying to stay out of the licensed surveyor territory.
Currently, I am bootstrapping. My setup is a DJI Mini 3 Pro, flying automated grids (with Dronelink), laying out manual GCPs, and processing in WebODM lightning.
I’d love to hear from anyone working in or around the waste/landfill sector:
How did you pitch your first clients in this sector? Is there actual need for this kind of services
Is RTK a strict barrier to entry for these specific clients?
What is the biggest physical or technical challenge when mapping waste/landfills compared to other kind of operations?
Thanks in advance for any reality checks or advice!