The disclosure describes waste receptacles for processing waste comprising a waste portal configured to accept waste deposited by an end user, a waste analysis unit positioned proximate to the waste portal, a waste conveyor connected to the waste portal, a paddle or robotic member positioned over the waste conveyor and configured to push the waste off the waste conveyor and into a grinder or into a waste commodity container.

An ashtray device (1) for collecting cigarette or cigar ash and butts, the device comprising a separation mechanism (2) for separating the ash from the butts, and at least two containers (10, 11), wherein a first container (10) is positioned so as to receive the butts and a second container (11) is positioned so as to receive the ash.

A resource collection apparatus is an apparatus for collecting waste reusable as a resource. The resource collection apparatus includes an opening associated with a predetermined sorting type, an opening/closing unit configured to open and close the opening, a first detector configured to perform an operation to detect a target waste belonging to a user, and a controller configured to specify a sorting type into which the target waste is to be sorted, by using a result of the detection by the first detector. The controller switches the opening/closing unit from a closed state to an open state when the specified sorting type matches the sorting type associated with the opening.

A waste storage device and corresponding waste sorting method. The waste storage device may include compartments for storing waste; an acquisition unit that acquires at least one characteristic of a piece of waste that is to be stored in the waste storage device; a processor unit that obtains data identifying the waste from the characteristic; a communications unit that sends the identifying data to a remote server and that receives data in response; and an advice supply unit that delivers sorting advice to a user. The sorting advice may come from the data that was received in response and it may identify at least one of the compartments of the waste storage device into which the piece of waste should be stored or placed by the user.

The present invention creates a unique method to recover ice from waste beverages. This invention could be especially useful for restaurants. Water reclaimed by the invention could be used to maintain lush vegetation thereby differentiating the restaurant from its competitors in the desert climate. The inventor estimates that about 60 gallons of water per day will be recovered from a typical fast food restaurant with this invention.

A waste sorting system uses various sensors to automatically determine a type of a piece of waste, and dispense the waste into an appropriate waste bin, such as a recyclable waste bin, or a landfill waste bin. If the system determines that the piece of waste is of a type that is recyclable, it will first determine whether the waste satisfies a recyclability threshold before it deposits the waste into a recyclable waste bin. If the waste does not satisfy the recyclability threshold, the system will direct the piece of waste to a non-recyclable waste bin even if it is of a type that would otherwise be recyclable if it had met the recyclability threshold.

A waste compression device with a fee calculation function is provided for shaking and compressing wastes and calculating the quantity of the wastes. The waste compression device includes a casing. The casing has therein: a storage cart; a compression unit for compressing the wastes in the storage cart; a vibration unit for shaking the storage cart; a quantity sensor; a storage level sensor; an interface unit; and a control unit. The control unit controls the compression and vibration. The interface unit determines the best time to shake and compress the wastes according to the wastes level, and instructs a ticketing unit to dispense a coupon for joining a points reward scheme or receiving a cash discount or a gift according to the wastes quantity. The waste compression device calculates the quantity of the wastes, reduces the volume of the wastes, and encourages consumers to take the initiative in recycling wastes.

A waste sorting device is characterized in that it is equipped with a waste collection tank coupled to a press (1), a set of sensors (4) submitting information to a controller system (2) which starts an initiated process of crushing with the press (1), during which the set of sensors (4) examines the object in terms of physical properties, and on the basis of signals form a position sensor (5), it opens a trapdoor (6) of the container for waste segregation. Below the collection tank and the press (1), it has a rotatable container for waste segregation, controlled by the controller (2), and rotated for segregation by means of a drive (3). The controller (2) starts the crushing process, and the set of sensors (4) analyzes the hardness, on the basis of resistance to compression, electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, and then the controller (2) specifies the material from which the segregated waste is made.

Provided is a waste sorting apparatus having a receiving compartment for receiving at least one object disposed by a user, an object detection system associated with the receiving compartment and configured to classify the at least one object in one of a plurality of predetermined types of object, and a sorting system configured for selectively directing the at least one object to a respective one of a plurality of collecting receptacles based on the classification of the at least one object. The object detection system identifies a location of the at least one object in the receiving compartment. The sorting system has holding devices for holding one or more of the at least one object in the receiving compartment when selectively directing one or more other of the at least one object to a respective collecting receptacle, in case multiple objects of different types are detected in the receiving compartment.

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.