A container comprises a hollow body portion, a hinged lid member pivotally attached to the body portion, an automatic latch assembly fixed to the body portion or the lid member, and a locking strap provided with an engagement member. The latch assembly comprises a casing and a lock bolt reciprocating between locked and unlocked positions. The lock bolt engages the engagement member of the locking strap in the locked position and is disengaged from the engagement member in the unlocked position. The latch assembly further comprises an actuator for moving the lock bolt out of engagement with the engagement member, a signal receiver for receiving a wireless signal or an accelerometer for monitoring acceleration of the container, and an electronic control module electrically connected to the signal receiver or the accelerometer for controlling the operation of the actuator in response to the wireless signal or data from the accelerometer.

A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

The invention provides trash containers useful for preventing unauthorized or excess authorized trash from being deposited into the trash containers. The trash containers comprise a body; an opening; a lid attached to the body; a latch means; a latch means receptacle; and a coin-operated mechanism. Individuals that want to deposit trash must gain access to the trash containers by paying a fee via the coin-operated mechanism to activate the latch and allow the individual to open the lid and insert trash into the trash containers. In some embodiments, the trash containers are configured to allow only a certain amount of trash to be deposited into the trash containers per fee paid.

A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

A collection station for post-consumer recyclable materials or other materials includes a housing, which may be fabricated from an intermodal freight container, and multiple collection receptacles positioned within the housing under openings in side walls of the housing for depositing materials in the collection receptacles. Each opening and collection receptacle may be designated for a different type of recyclable material, facilitating segregation of the different types of recyclable materials. In some embodiments, an electronic access control unit including a code reader allows a user to unlock access doors covering the openings using a smartphone or other code-carrying device. A rechargeable battery and solar power system may provide power for the access control unit. The collection receptacles may include bag support frames supporting collection bags, and each bag support frame may be retractable against a wall of the housing to enable service access to collection receptacles behind the bag support frame.

An example system can include a battery-powered trash compactor or storage device that performs operations including receiving identification information via an external entity from a reader component. The reader component is connected to a control module that manages sensor components or other functions of the battery-powered storage device. The control module also controls a locking mechanism and reader component. Based on the identification information, via the control module, the battery-powered storage device unlocks the locking mechanism.

A system can include a processor and a computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations can include receiving an identification of a local device having a control module that manages a reader component and a locking mechanism and transmitting an authorized list to the local device that identifies authorized users that can gain access to the local device via the locking mechanism through interacting with the reader component. The control module on the local device can manage multiple functions of the local device including management of the reader component and the locking mechanism.