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.

The invention relates to tracking and analyzing human behavior through a network and granting compensation to participants through adjusting rewards for said behaviors associated with improving their recycling habits.

A monitoring system comprises a plurality of monitoring stations disposed in or associated with a respective rubbish bin housing or surround. Each monitoring station comprising an identifier, a sensor for monitoring the bin or a detectable quality of the environment in which the bin is located, a processor for receiving a signal from the sensor and a transmitter for transmitting the signal.

A recycling device includes a main body, an input module, an identification module, a detection module, a packaging module, and a storage module. The input module includes at least one input port for depositing a waste product of one type. The identification module identifies the deposited waste product and determines whether the type of the deposited waste product matches the corresponding input port. The detection module detects a purity of the deposited waste product when the type of the deposited waste product matches the corresponding input port. The packaging module packages the deposited waste product when the purity of the deposited waste product is qualified. The storage module stores the deposited waste product.

A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

An electronic messaging waste receptacle combines a waste receptacle in a lower body portion of the electronic messaging waste receptacle, and further include several display devices mounted on an upper body portion of the electronic messaging waste receptacle. The electronic messaging waster receptacle further includes a speaker, and a variety of interactive media to perform an assortment of messaging functions in a public venue while also collecting waste. The electronic messaging waste receptacle displays messaging in electronic graphic form on the electronic display devices and can receive messages to be displayed wirelessly. The display devices integrated with the waste receptacle display images of advertising, messages, and pertinent information in electronic form. The waste receptacle is configured to receive and compact waste that is deposited by users into the waste receptacle.

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.

Systems and methods for managing the collection of contents from geographically distributed containers are disclosed herein. The systems can have a sensor in the container in data communication with a server system. The sensor can send data regarding the volume of contents in the container to the server system. The server system can then create routing information for a fleet of vehicles to empty the containers based on which containers are full enough for immediate collection, other predictive data for less full containers, and traffic and other routing factors for the vehicles. The server system can then transmit the routing information to the vehicles, track the vehicles, and prepare reports.

An embodiment relates to a trash collection device comprising a trash receptacle with a unique identification and an opening to receive a class of trash; an identification scanner for recognizing a user; a trash item counter; a fill level sensor; a display configured to interact with the user; a compactor; a solar panel configured to charge a battery; a data communicator configured to communicate date to a cloud storage; a processor configured to generate incentive for the user; wherein the trash collection device is configured to be modular and configurable to connect with another similar trash collection device to enable to collect additional trash class and is configured to interact with each other through a common software. The device, method and system are further used to generate recycling analytics by using the stored data to provide incentives to users and to facilitate planning of downstream operations.