At a waste management apparatus mounted on a waste collection vehicle, images of the waste dumped into a hopper are acquired. Objects are detected and a class is assigned to each object in a predefined classification e.g. by using an Al module. New objects are determined amongst the detected objects. Each new object is mapped to an expected type of waste collection tour, using a mapping table where sorting rules are stored. An actual type of waste collection tour is obtained. And a rate of waste contamination is calculated for a given location of the waste collection vehicle during a given waste collection tour as a function of the number of new objects identified at said given location which classes are mapped with an expected type of waste collection tour other than the actual type of the given waste collection tour.

A method for efficiently and automatically requesting waste collection services through the use of mobile communication devices is disclosed. The method utilizes a fill-level sensor or fill-level sensors attached to dumpsters of various sizes. The fill-level sensor is configured to monitor a dumpster's capacity in terms of waste volume. Whenever the volume reaches a predetermined fill-level set by the generator, an automatic collection request is sent out to at least one hauler capable of carrying out the collection.

Provided is a method for managing garbage disposal credit reporting. The method comprises: a smart garbage can performing online real-time marking of bagged garbage, photographing scattered garbage after it is disposed of, and a system obtaining information transmitted by the smart garbage can, after each time garbage is disposed of, the smart garbage can saving for a certain period of time the traceable information generated by the disposed garbage; when inspecting the disposed garbage, if a delivery error is discovered, the inspecting client uploading the erroneous marking information on the garbage bag and uploading the erroneous scattered garbage photograph, in order to evaluate the credit of the person who throws garbage into the garbage according to whether the information about the type of garbage disposed is correct.

A system can include a camera, a single-stage object detector, and one or more processors. The camera can capture image data that includes a waste receptacle. The single-stage object detector can detect waste receptables. The one or more processors can communicate with a waste-collection vehicle, the camera, and the single-stage object detector. The one or more processors can receive, from the camera, the image data. The one or more processors can provide, as an input, the image data to the single-stage object detector. The one or more processors can identify, based on an output of the single-stage object detector, the waste receptacle.

A method and device for positively identifying that a dump event of a refuse container has occurred into a refuse hopper of a refuse vehicle are provided. When used with route software, alerts may be generated if a specific refuse container is missed or if an unexpected dump event occurs during the route.

A mechanical rotational device located at the base of a gravity waste chute which efficiently separates homogeneous and/or heterogeneous waste into waste receptacles. The device includes a mechanical rotational diversion mechanism which utilizes an electromechanical rotation element affixed to a base used to rotate and divert homogeneous and/or heterogeneous waste into designated respective waste receptacles.

A disposal unit includes a housing surrounding a cavity and an indication slot formed in the housing. An indicator system is mounted within the housing and includes an indicator arm movable between a start point not aligned with the indication slot and an end point aligned with the indication slot. When the indicator arm is in the start position, the indicator arm is configured to transition from the start point to the end point upon opening of a door of the housing. Conversely, when the indicator arm is in the end position, the indicator arm is configured to remain in the end point upon opening of the door of the housing.

Disclosed is a waste management system and method including a plurality of waste management devices. Each waste management device further includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense contents of a waste bin. The device is configured to transmit sensory information from the plurality of sensors. The sensory information from the plurality of sensors and is related to the contents of the waste bin. A server configured to receive and store sensory information transmitted by the plurality of devices. The server stores a fill level of the waste bin based on the sensory information. A processor operably connected to the server, wherein the processor is configured to determine the fill level of the waste bin based on the sensory information. A user device configured to receive, store, and display the fill level of the waste bin.

Recyclable identification systems and methods are disclosed. A recyclable identification system, for example, may include a collection vehicle having a container and an imaging system disposed on the collection vehicle and positioned on the collection vehicle to image objects as the objects pass into the container. The recyclable identification system may also include a transceiver and a controller communicatively coupled with the imaging system and the transceiver. The controller may receive a plurality of images from the imaging system, the plurality of images includes images of objects that have been dumped into the container; determine a location associated with the plurality of images; combine the video or the plurality of images with the location; select an image or images of interest from frames of the plurality of images that include images of recyclables; and transmit the image of interest to a cloud computing system via the transceiver.

A method and device for positively identifying that a dump event of a refuse container has occurred into a refuse hopper of a refuse vehicle are provided. When used with route software, alerts may be generated if a specific refuse container is missed or if an unexpected dump event occurs during the route.