This invention is directed towards a waste enclosure device (device) comprising a waste enclosure employing operational functions including collection and monitoring capacity wherein said device includes one or more programmable logic controllers. Operational functions are performed by electrical components including sensors to determine waste deposits characteristics and contents. Said device operational functions are further adapted to send and receive data, optionally wirelessly, and configured and adapted to utilize solar derived electrical power and, optionally, electric power from other sources.

A stabilizer and status alert device for a refuse can includes a base configured to support the refuse can in an upright position, a retaining feature configured to releasably couple the refuse can to the base, and an alert system configured to deliver a status notification to a user device in response to the refuse can be uncoupled from the base.

A multipurpose refuse receptacle that has a shell having at least one opening and defining an interior region, the interior region configured to receive refuse, a controller coupled to the shell, a network device in communication with the controller and coupled to the shell, at least one display coupled to the shell and configured to display a message communicated to the display from the controller. Wherein, the controller and network device are configured to send and receive wireless transmissions and display corresponding messages on the display responsive to the wireless transmissions.

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 refuse collection apparatus is disclosed. A refuse collection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention a main body unit into which a refuse is inserted, a refuse compression unit installed in the main body unit and configured to compress the refuse inserted into the main body unit and a movement range detection unit located inside of the main body unit and configured to detect a movement range of the refuse compression unit.

A collection apparatus weight and fullness level reporting system includes: an inlet; a removable collection bin receiving material placed into the collection apparatus; a compacting mechanism including a ram body, wherein the ram body travels between a home position located above the collection bin to a maximum travel position located inside the collection bin, wherein during each compaction cycle the ram body travels along a variable length of the compaction path; a fullness-reporting module that determines the height of the material in the collection bin; and a controller that determines the length of the compaction path the ram body travels during each compaction cycle based on the input received from the fullness reporting module, wherein at the end of each compaction cycle in which the material height is below a maximum height, the ram body is brought to rest at a height below the home position.

This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems that may include a container housing having at least one opening, as well as a camera configured to capture a visual input relating to a deposited object placed into the at least one opening. A light source may be configured to illuminate the deposited object, and a sorting plate configured to divert the deposited object into one of a plurality of containers. A motor may be configured to move the sorting plate, and a processor system configured to: receive the visual input from the camera, classify the deposited object based on the visual input, and cause the motor to move the sorting place to divert the deposited object to the one of the plurality of containers based on the classification.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling electrically-powered trash receptacles and monitoring fullness levels. The system can include a storage enclosure and a bin contained inside the storage enclosure, the bin configured to receive and store items deposited in the storage enclosure, wherein an inside portion of the bin is at least partially covered by a bag placed inside the bin to hold the items deposited in the storage enclosure. The system can also include a sensor configured to sense a content fullness state of the bin and a processor configured to control operations performed by the sensor. In addition, the system can include a sleeve configured to be installed over an inside portion of the bin and the bag, the sleeve at least partially restricting a movement of the bag.

A refuse collection system having a maximum power point tracker includes a DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter is electrically connected at a first output thereof to one or more photovoltaic panels of the system, and at second output thereof to one or more batteries for being charged by the photovoltaic panels. The maximum power point tracker is configured to increase the power output of the photovoltaic panels towards, e.g. to set this power output to, the maximum power point thereof, therein adjusting a current at which the batteries are charged. A control unit of the system, programmed to control electrically powered functional parts of the system, is preferably furthermore programmed to control the DC-DC converter.

Disclosed are a module apparatus for garbage collection and an operation method for the module apparatus. A module apparatus for garbage collection, according to the present invention, comprises: a case which is provided so as to be attached to a garbage receptacle and has a first hole on the lower end; an integrated circuit module which is accommodated inside the case; a battery for supplying power to the integrated circuit module; and a sensor unit which is electrically connected to the integrated circuit module and is for sensing the volume of garbage accumulated inside the garbage receptacle, wherein the first hole is aligned with a second hole formed on the garbage receptacle and the detection unit detects the volume of the garbage through the first and second holes.