A robotic drive system can be attached to a garbage container. A computing device can be configured to determine a travel path for the robotic drive system to travel to a location designated for garbage pickup. The computing device can be configured to cause the robotic drive system to move to be proximate to a location designated for garbage pickup.

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 centralized hub system for improving automatic waste transport and collection using a self-driving robot, which allows for self-driving and efficient collection of waste in densely populated areas, such as apartment complexes and residential neighborhoods, and areas with a floating population by using robots with built-in artificial intelligence software and hardware and self-driving waste collection and driving functions and an integrated management server for monitoring these robots, and which helps to put information together in this process and use it as base data for the efficient operation of future waste policies and the corresponding systems. The centralized hub system for improving automatic waste transport and collection using a self-driving robot comprises self-driving inlet robots, an integrated management server, and a self-driving vehicle robot.

A computer-controlled rubbish container includes a power bank, a control circuit, and a wheel assembly coupled to a bottom portion of a rubbish container. The wheel assembly includes an electric motor coupled to a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates upon a wireless signal sent from a computer to the control circuit. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly is configured to engage and disengage from a ground surface such that the rubbish container is capable of manual pushing.

The present disclosure provides a waste/recycling receptacle protector/monitor for obtaining at least one objective for an individual. The waste/recycling receptacle protector/monitor includes a tension adjustable fastening module. The tension adjustable fastening module has first and second opposing ends that adapt to extend along at least one direction of a lid of a waste/recycling receptacle. The tension adjustable fastening module breaks apart under a predetermined opposable force preset by the individual. The at least one objective includes protection against at least one of theft of the waste/recycling receptacle, natural climate, personal data theft, and unauthorized dumping into the waste/recycling receptacle and surveillance of vicinity and one or more objects around the waste/recycling receptacle.

A weight-measurement system for inclusion or use with a waste container includes scale devices in communication with a remote computer via a communications module. In some embodiments, the scale devices are mounted to a wheeled base frame that is integral with and supports the waste container. In other embodiments, the scale devices are mounted to a stationary base frame upon which a conventional waste container is retrofittingly positioned and supported during use. The scale devices can be provided by load cells, for example load-pin load cells used as axles for wheels of the integral base frame or as axles for rollers of the retrofit stationary base frame. The remote computer can be programmed to receive weight data from the scale devices, via the communications module, determine the actual weight of the waste contained in the waste container, and provide pre-defined weight-based notifications.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a container collecting apparatus is provided. The container collecting apparatus includes: a container input unit for at least temporarily accommodating a container inserted; and a collection unit provided below the container input unit to collect the container transferred from the container input unit, wherein the container input unit includes: a holding unit on which the container is seated; an opening penetratively formed at one side of the holding unit to transfer the container to the collection unit; and a transfer unit provided with a transfer plate for transferring the container put on the holding unit to the opening by moving from the opposite side of the holding unit toward the opening.

A remotely-controllable transporter for waste receptacles is disclosed herein in several examples. As one example, the remotely-controllable transporter may include an axle for replacing a native waste receptacle axle and be configured to removably attach thereto. In another example, the remotely-controllable transporter may include side brackets to removably attach to a variety of waste receptacles. In yet another example, the remotely-controllable transporter may be part of an integrally-formed waste receptacle assembly. Also disclosed herein are methods for use of the disclosed remotely-controllable transporters and waste receptacle assemblies.

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 disclosure describes a computer-implemented method for determining and reporting compliance with rules regarding discarded material from an originating site. The method may include obtaining, for each batch of a plurality of batches of discarded material, identification information of a respective originating site, capturing image data for each batch and associating the identification and image data. The identification and image data may be sent to a server having rules regarding the discarded material. The server may then determine data regarding compliance and generate a report including data regarding compliance with the rules regarding the discarded material for each originating site.