A bag dispensing apparatus and a bag dispensing system are disclosed. The bag dispensing apparatus includes a housing, a bag retaining mechanism, and a bag locking mechanism. A roll of bags is stored in the bag dispensing apparatus and a leading bag of the roll of bags can be directly hanged on the bag dispensing apparatus for use. The storage and use of the bags are cleverly integrated to save the space, and the operation is more convenient.

Recycling systems can include a conveyor system, an optical device, and a processor operable to detect, identify, and count redeemable objects. The conveyor system can include a plurality of bins and be configured to move the bins from a first end of the conveyor system to a second end of the conveyor system. The optical device can be situated and configured to capture an image of a plurality of objects within a bin of the conveyor system. A processor including computer-readable instructions can be configured to detect and identify the objects within an image captured by the optical device as belonging to one or more object classes. Each object class can determine whether an object is redeemable or unredeemable. The processor can be configured to provide a count of only those objects identified as redeemable.

The present disclosure relates to a waste bin for waste paper products and other waste, the waste bin including a frame for supporting at least two, preferably exactly two, compartments; an upper compartment supported by the frame and configured to receive waste paper product, in particular, paper towels; and a lower compartment supported by the frame and configured to receive other types of waste; wherein the upper compartment is arranged above the lower compartment in a vertical direction of the waste bin, wherein the lower compartment comprises a liquid-impermeable bottom section and, preferably, liquid-impermeable side-wall sections, and wherein at least one of the upper and lower compartments is detachable from the frame, and wherein each of the upper compartment and the lower compartment is accessible for introducing waste material thereinto independently from the respective other compartment. The present disclosure further relates to a method of servicing a waste bin.

A system and method for preventing leaks from rubbish containing liquids and noxious smells has an air-tight and water-tight reusable trash receptacle. The receptacle uses an inner ring and an outer ring to secure a bag. A lid contains a seal such that an air-tight and water-tight seal is formed when the lid is engaged with the outer ring. The outer ring has a seal that engages the bag such that an air-tight and water-tight seal is formed when the outer ring is engaged with the liner on the inner ring.

The present invention is directed to a bag of polymeric film and a method to make the bag. The bag can be comprised of a front panel and a rear panel. The front and rear panels can each be comprised of multiple layers of film. The bag can be formed from a collapsed bubble of polymeric film that has been folded in half so that opposing edges of the collapsed bubble form an opening of the bag. One of the layers of the folded bubble can be split adjacent to an edge of the collapsed bubble and a draw tape film can be inserted between the layers of the folded and collapsed bubble. The collapsed bubble can further be embossed by a pattern that can provide enhanced properties to bags formed from the folded bubble.

A recycling identification container, including a main body, including a first section to store at least one trash item therein, a second section connected to the first section to store at least one recycle item therein, and a divider disposed between at least a portion of the first section and the second section to separate the first section from the second section, a cover unit removably connected to at least a portion of a first end of the main body to cover an interior of the main body, and an identification scanner disposed on and within at least a portion of the main body to scan properties of at least one item based on a predetermined algorithm to determine whether the at least one item is at least one of the at least one recycle item and the at least one trash item.

A waste bin management unit manages identification information of a waste bin and identification information and a disposal date of the medical device that has been disposed of in the waste bin in association with each other. The waste bin management unit sets a scheduled date for collecting the waste bin based on at least either one of the number of medical devices that have been disposed of in the waste bin and the disposal date.

Systems and methods for secure card printing ribbon removal may include a shredding unit, a collection unit, and a processor. The shredding unit may shred card printing ribbon and generate ribbon waste. The collection unit may be removably attached to the shredding unit and receive ribbon waste from the shredding unit. The collection unit may comprise a transparent material, a visual fill line, and a sensor that determines the amount of ribbon waste contained in the collection unit. Upon determination that the amount of ribbon waste exceeds a threshold, the sensor may generate a signal. The processor may operate the shredding unit and the collection unit, receive the signal generated by the collection unit, and generate, based on the signal, a prediction of a remaining capacity of the collection unit. The ribbon may include material containing sensitive information.

Systems and methods for secure card printing ribbon removal may include a shredding unit, a collection unit, and a processor. The shredding unit may shred card printing ribbon and generate ribbon waste. The collection unit may be removably attached to the shredding unit and receive ribbon waste from the shredding unit. The collection unit may comprise a transparent material, a visual fill line, and a sensor that determines the amount of ribbon waste contained in the collection unit. Upon determination that the amount of ribbon waste exceeds a threshold, the sensor may generate a signal. The processor may operate the shredding unit and the collection unit, receive the signal generated by the collection unit, and generate, based on the signal, a prediction of a remaining capacity of the collection unit. The ribbon may include material containing sensitive information.

Waste chute devices and methods for using the same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for operating waste chutes comprises: receiving, using a hardware processor of a waste chute device, an identity associated with a user of the waste chute device; in response to receiving the identity associated with the user, allowing, using the hardware processor, a door of the waste chute device to be opened; determining, using the hardware processor, a number of items and at least one type associated with the items that have been placed in an opening of the waste chute device; determining, using the hardware processor, that the door of the waste chute device has been closed; updating, using the hardware processor, information associated with the user based on the number of items and the at least one type of items that have been placed in the opening of the waste chute device; and providing, using the hardware processor, the user with the updated information.