A trash container includes a container body, a cover unit, and an internal shelter arrangement. The container body has a top opening and a trash cavity for receiving a trash object through the top opening. The cover unit includes a cover panel for selectively opening and closing the top opening. The internal shelter arrangement includes a shelter boundary frame detachably coupled between the container body and the cover unit, and a shelter unit movably coupled at the shelter boundary frame to seal a shelter opening of the shelter boundary. When the top opening is opened, the shelter unit is downwardly and pivotally folded to open up the shelter opening in response to an external force of a weight of the trash object for disposing the trash object in the trash cavity.

Systems and methods of monitoring a characteristic of a waste container operation via a sensor node co-located with a waste container are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a first network node comprises receiving, by the first network node, from the sensor node, an image representing a perspective view of an interior of the container, the first network node being operable to estimate an available capacity of the container to hold waste based on that image so that a second network node is operable to schedule a task associated with the available capacity of the container, with the image being obtained by an optical sensor operationally coupled to the sensor node, with the sensor being disposed on a side or corner of the container and having a viewing angle towards an opposite side or corner of the container.

This disclosure includes a description of various embodiments of waste-receiving systems. In some embodiments, a waste-receiving system comprises at least one waste receptacle configured to be positioned inside of a cabinet, an electric drive system configured to transition the waste-receiving system from a retracted or closed position within a closed cabinet to an extended or open position that provides access to the waste receptacle inside of the waste-receiving system, such as by moving the waste receptacle at least partially outside of the cabinet or opening a cabinet door or access region. The system can include a sensor system configured to generate one or more electronic signals from an environment, such as from a user, and a processor in electronic communication with the sensor system and a motor, the processor configured to actuate the motor based at least in part on the one or more electronic signals received from the sensor system. In some embodiments, the waste-receiving system may further comprise a cabinet. In some embodiments, the waste-receiving system may have at least one waste receptacle that is supported by a holder. In some embodiments, the waste-receiving system can have a drive system that is configured to move the at least one receptacle by moving the holder.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting sensors for use in compactors and receptacles. A receptacle first sends a signal from a transmitter on a first module in a receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein at least part of the first module and the second module is located a distance above a bin inside the receptacle. Next, the receptacle determines a signal-detection characteristic including a signal detection status or a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection. Based on the signal-detection characteristic, the receptacle determines an operating condition of the receptacle, the operating condition including a fullness level or an obstruction level associated with the first or second sensors.

An induction actuation trash container with actuation arm includes an upper container body, a pressing ring and a lower container body. The upper container body includes a cover panel, a main housing body, a body seat, an actuation arm, a rotating shaft, and an induction actuated arrangement. The main housing body has an indented cavity formed at a rear side of an inner side of the main housing body, wherein the rotating shaft is mounted across the indented cavity and penetrates through a left sidewall and an opposing right sidewall thereof. One end of the rotating arm is coupled to the rotating shaft while the other end of the rotating arm is fixedly screwed to the cover panel. The induction actuated arrangement is disposed in an interior space defined between the main housing body and the body seat when the main housing body is engaged with the body seat, wherein an actuation output of the induction actuated arrangement is operatively coupled with one end portion of the rotating shaft for generating a rotational force to drive the rotating shaft to rotate and pivotally move the actuation arm.

A device is for compressing waste. The device includes: a waste bag suspension member formed with an upper portion around which an opening of a flexible waste bag may be spanned; a lid movable between an open position, wherein waste may be added to a waste bag through the upper portion of the waste bag suspension member, and a closed position, wherein the lid covers the upper portion of the waste bag suspension member so that an at least partially closed volume may be formed between the lid and the waste bag; and a suction member adapted to evacuate air from the at least partially closed volume. The lid is perforated so that the suction device may evacuate the air through the perforation(s) in the lid. There is also disclosed a system for compressing waste as well as a method for operating the system.

Techniques are described for correlating entity identification information with refuse containers being serviced by a refuse collection vehicle (RCV). Location data can be collected by location sensor(s) on the RCV at a time when a triggering condition is present, such as a time when a lift arm is operating to empty a refuse container into the hopper of the RCV. The location data can be provided as input to an algorithm that estimates a container location through a vector offset to account for the distance and direction of the RCV lift arm relative to the location sensor in the RCV. The container location can be correlated with parcel data to determine the parcel that the container was on or near to when it was serviced, and the customer or other entity associated with the parcel can be correlated to the particular container based on the analysis.

A secured “smart” container is disclosed for collecting green waste products including operational functions for collection, video surveillance and monitoring capacity. The secured “smart” container may include one or more programmable logic controllers. Operational functions are performed by electrical components including sensors to determine green waste deposits characteristics and contents. Operational functions are further adapted to send and receive data, operationally wirelessly, and configured and adapted to utilize solar derived electric power and, optionally, electric power from other sources. Embodiments provide constant 24 hour/7 days a week video surveillance and alert monitoring capabilities. Disclosed systems and methods also include collection and transportation of waste contents from the container to a processing subsystem. Additionally, disclosed systems may also include a monitoring system for monitoring the collection of green waste product, delivery of the same to the processing subsystem and tracking to and throughout final processing of the green waste product and handling personnel.

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.

Techniques are described for correlating entity identification information with refuse containers being serviced by a refuse collection vehicle (RCV). Location data can be collected by location sensor(s) on the RCV at a time when a triggering condition is present, such as a time when a lift arm is operating to empty a refuse container into the hopper of the RCV. The location data can be provided as input to an algorithm that estimates a container location through a vector offset to account for the distance and direction of the RCV lift arm relative to the location sensor in the RCV. The container location can be correlated with parcel data to determine the parcel that the container was on or near to when it was serviced, and the customer or other entity associated with the parcel can be correlated to the particular container based on the analysis.