A method for transporting goods on a pallet, where the pallet may be reversibly converted to a bin for the collection of waste and/or recyclable material. The pallet may include a base with side walls and a collapsible sleeve wherein, if the collapsible sleeve is open and joined to the base, the collapsible sleeve, with the base, forms a bin. Goods are transported on the pallet. After unloading the pallets and removing the goods, the pallet may be converted to a bin. Waste or recyclable material may be placed in the bin and transported away. After removing the material in the bin and cleaning the bin, the bin may be collapsed back into a pallet for the transportation of goods.

A device for transporting waste or recyclable material is disclosed. The device can include a base with at least one temporary attachment mechanism to secure a collapsible sleeve in an open state to the base. The device may further include a collapsible sleeve movable between an open state and a collapsed state, the collapsible sleeve including at least one opening for interfacing with the at least one temporary attachment mechanism to secure the collapsible sleeve in an open state to the base, thus forming a bin for receiving and transporting waste or recyclable material.

A method of tracking food donations including, at a first location, collecting, in a bin, a collection of food, wherein the bin is associated with the first location and, at a second location, capturing an image of the collected food. The method may also include determining, based on the image, at least one parameter of the collected food, and, based on the at least one parameter, determining whether the food is in compliance with food donation regulations. If the collected food is in compliance with regulations, further determining that the collected food is be donated, determining a quantity of the food to be donated, and documenting the quantity of the food to be donated.

A method includes receiving data from a device, the data includes at least a first amount of a first type of waste. The method includes comparing the data with a profile including historical waste data from a location, and sending notifications to the device based on the comparing operation. The notifications include information relating to the data and the profile. The device communicates the notifications to a user. The method may include receiving first goals from the device, and determining second goals based on community waste averages. The profile may include the first goals and the second goals. The method may include sending recommendations to the device based at least in part on the data and the profile. An exemplary device includes at least one sensor associated with a waste receptacle, which may be a computer vision imaging sensor.

An integrated container with a box and pallet is provided that is made entirely of corrugated materials, and is fully compatible with automated systems and methods for the safe collection, transfer, and treatment of infectious and hazardous waste. The integrated box and pallet made entirely of corrugated materials provides an improved high strength packaging solution that allows for safe transport of waste to a disposal location. The corrugated pallet and box are compatible with shredders and does not require metal fasteners. The corrugated pallet and box are completely recyclable, and may be made of a cardboard or of plastic. Separate waste collection containers may be collected and placed in the box of integrated container.

A system is disclosed for auditing waste retrieved by a service vehicle. The system may have an optical sensor mountable onboard the service vehicle and configured to capture image data associated with the waste as the waste falls into the service vehicle during completion of a waste service activity. The system may also have at least one controller in communication with the optical sensor and being configured to generate at least one of an alert and a recommendation regarding a mix of the waste based on the image data.

A system and method for nesting multi-layered trash bags for trash receptacles. The bags preferably each have an elastic member providing compression to securely hold the nested trash bags in relative position until filled and removed. The elastic member is a rubber element or alternatively an elastic drawstring. A rigid member can be utilized in conjunction with the nested trash bags to facilitate the installation of the multi-layered trash bags into the trash can.

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.

A receptacle is disclosed for containing waste. The waste receptacle may have a container with at least one opening, and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of rubbish being deposited through the at least one opening. The waste receptacle may also have a public-use device operatively connected to the container, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the public-use device. The controller may be configured to selectively provide access to the public-use device based on the signal.

A system, method and device for waste measurement for garbage truck fleets operated by waste pickup service are provided. The waste measurement device comprises one or more visible light cameras; one or more volume sensors; and a controller. The waste measurement device is deployed in front of a hopper of the garbage truck and the device is configured to measure the waste volume in the hopper using the volume sensors. The method calculates the waste volume emptied from the waste container by at least subtracting the measurement of the volume in the hopper before loading from the measurement of the volume after loading. The system manages the waste pickup services having garbage truck fleet with the waste measurement devices. The system optimizes and monitors the system operation conditioned upon the measurements provided from the waste measuring devices.