A smart-waste management system includes a hardware and software system to accumulate and monitor waste data. The hardware includes sensor arrangements that gather information and wirelessly sends it to the software program. A smart-waste bin comprises of fill, location, temperature, humidity, odor, pollution, and ambient light sensors. In addition to this, the disclosed invention provides area map with live statistics and feedback from the monitored waste bins, such as information regarding the location, waste bin information, active litter lookout volunteers and performance. Using this information, garbage collection routes are optimized, and residents are provided with an incentive to reduce litter.

A storage receptacle can include a storage bin and a pedal mounted to the receptacle. The pedal can rotate downward when pressure is applied in order to pull on a first cable coupled to the pedal. The first cable is connected to a spring, and the spring is connected to a second cable. The second cable connects the spring to a door via an upper pulley of the receptacle. The second cable causes the door to open when the second cable is pulled based on force applied to the pedal. A bottom pulley can be coupled to the pedal via the first cable and configured to translate an upward pull of the first cable to a downward pull of the spring and second cable. The spring controls the motion of the door such that the door does not open too quickly upon a force being applied to the pedal.

A sanitary product disposal container includes a container housing having a movable housing top cover, a movable housing bottom cover, and a sensor. A cover actuating mechanism may operably engage the housing top cover to actuate the housing top cover between open and closed positions. The sensor may operably interface with the cover actuating mechanism to facilitate deployment of the housing top cover between the open and closed positions responsive to sensing the presence of a person in proximity to the container housing. Accordingly, a used feminine hygiene product may be placed in the interior space of the container housing in the open position of the housing top cover without having to touch the container housing in order to open the housing top cover. The housing bottom cover may be selectively opened to facilitate removal of the used feminine hygiene products from the interior space.

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 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.

According to an embodiment, a food waste disposer includes a housing having an opening formed on one end thereof, and a door coupled by hinge to open or close the opening of the housing. The door includes a door lever configured to be insertable into a fixing groove provided adjacent to the opening of the housing, a holder lever coupled to the door lever and configured to rotate about a rotation shaft, a pulling member configured to transmit a physical external force applied from the outside to the holder lever such that the holder lever rotates about the rotation shaft, one end of the pulling member being connected to the holder lever, and an actuator configured to generate a force to rotate the holder lever about the rotation shaft, based on an electrical signal.

The sorting waste receptacle sorts and temporarily stores differing types of waste items. The sorting waste receptacle includes a hollow housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and at least one sidewall. The top wall has an opening formed therein for depositing a waste item, and a lower interior portion of the hollow housing is divided into a plurality of separate compartments, each compartment corresponding to a different type of waste. When the waste item is inserted through the opening formed in the top wall, the waste item is temporarily held within a movable chute inside the hollow housing. While in the chute, the waste item is weighed by a scale and at least one sensor determines its composition. Based on the composition of the waste item, the chute is moved above the corresponding one of the separate compartments for dispensing of the waste item therein.

The sorting waste receptacle sorts and temporarily stores differing types of waste items. The sorting waste receptacle includes a hollow housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and at least one sidewall. The top wall has an opening formed therein for depositing a waste item, and a lower interior portion of the hollow housing is divided into a plurality of separate compartments, each compartment corresponding to a different type of waste. When the waste item is inserted through the opening formed in the top wall, the waste item is temporarily held within a movable chute inside the hollow housing. While in the chute, the waste item is weighed by a scale and at least one sensor determines its composition. Based on the composition of the waste item, the chute is moved above the corresponding one of the separate compartments for dispensing of the waste item therein.

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.

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.