A refuse container having an indicator assembly for informing a waste generator of contamination in a waste stream. A refuse container includes a container body comprising a receptacle portion and a lid coupled with the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion includes a plurality of walls that together define an enclosed space for containing refuse. An indicator device is coupled with the container body. The indicator device is movable relative to the container body between a first position and a second position. First indicia is provided on one of the indicator device or the container body. When the indicator device is in the first position, the first indicia are visible from the exterior of the refuse container, and when the indicator device is in the second position, the first indicia are not visible from the exterior of the refuse container.

A lid body is provided, and the lid body includes a main body and an opening and closing system. The opening and closing system is disposed on the main body and includes a lid member, a processing unit, an opening unit, a timing unit, a display unit and a driving unit, the lid member is movably assembled on the main body and optionally covers the opening, the timing unit is set for a preset time, when the lid member moves to the opening position and uncovers the opening, the timing unit starts to count; in the meanwhile, the display unit simultaneously shows a timing state of the timing unit; and after the timing unit counts to the preset time, the driving unit drives the lid member to move to a position where the lid member covers the opening completely.

An electronic messaging waste receptacle combines a waste receptacle in a lower body portion of the electronic messaging waste receptacle, and further include several display devices mounted on an upper body portion of the electronic messaging waste receptacle. The electronic messaging waster receptacle further includes a speaker, and a variety of interactive media to perform an assortment of messaging functions in a public venue while also collecting waste. The electronic messaging waste receptacle displays messaging in electronic graphic form on the electronic display devices and can receive messages to be displayed wirelessly. The display devices integrated with the waste receptacle display images of advertising, messages, and pertinent information in electronic form. The waste receptacle is configured to receive and compact waste that is deposited by users into the waste receptacle.

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.

The present invention relates to a system for operating a waste container comprising a waste container which has an electronic control device, a first communication interface for transmitting and receiving data and a storage device, and a server which is remote from the waste container and has a second communication interface, wherein usage data can be stored in the storage device by the control device after use of the waste container, wherein the first communication interface has no device for direct data transmission to the second communication interface, wherein an indirect first data transfer between the first communication interface and the second communication interface and/or between the second communication interface and the first communication interface can be initiated via at least one further communication interface, which is provided in a further communication device, which is not associated with the waste container, wherein the stored usage data are transferable via the first data transfer to the server.

The invention relates to a system for operating a refuse container, comprising a refuse container which has an electronic control device and a first communication interface for sending and receiving data, wherein a first data transfer to at least one further communication interface can be initiated via the first communication interface, said further communication interface being provided in at least one further communication device which is not associated with the refuse container, wherein a further data transfer between at least one internal device can be initiated via the first communication interface, wherein the first and the further data transfer are based on a wireless technology.

Techniques are described for trash monitoring using video analytics. In some implementations, a schedule for placing trash for collection is obtained, video of a scene that includes trash when trash is placed for collection is obtained, whether the trash has been placed for collection according to the schedule is determined from the video, and in response to determining that the trash is not placed for collection according to the schedule, a notification that the trash has not been placed for collection is provided.

Systems and methods for managing the collection of contents from geographically distributed containers are disclosed herein. The systems can have a sensor in the container in data communication with a server system. The sensor can send data regarding the volume of contents in the container to the server system. The server system can then create routing information for a fleet of vehicles to empty the containers based on which containers are full enough for immediate collection, other predictive data for less full containers, and traffic and other routing factors for the vehicles. The server system can then transmit the routing information to the vehicles, track the vehicles, and prepare reports.

An embodiment relates to a trash collection device comprising a trash receptacle with a unique identification and an opening to receive a class of trash; an identification scanner for recognizing a user; a trash item counter; a fill level sensor; a display configured to interact with the user; a compactor; a solar panel configured to charge a battery; a data communicator configured to communicate date to a cloud storage; a processor configured to generate incentive for the user; wherein the trash collection device is configured to be modular and configurable to connect with another similar trash collection device to enable to collect additional trash class and is configured to interact with each other through a common software. The device, method and system are further used to generate recycling analytics by using the stored data to provide incentives to users and to facilitate planning of downstream operations.

Disclosed are embodiments that relate to apparatus for compacting materials. The apparatus comprising a mechanical linkage designed to be mounted within the interior of an existing waste receptacle, a compression surface operably connected to the mechanical linkage, and a motor operably connected to the mechanical linkage, wherein the motor is capable of extending and retracting the mechanical linkage, thereby lowering and raising the compression plate. Some embodiments will take advantage of integrated sensors and processors in order to capture and analyze large amounts of data related to the compactor operations. This data may lead to refinements and greater efficiency in the waste disposal processes.