A system for holding food waste includes a first housing forming a chamber to hold the food waste, the chamber comprising at least a first port, and a second housing comprising at least a second port configured to couple with at least the first port, and a fan to provide airflow into the chamber through at least the second port, the first housing removably coupled with the second housing such that removal of the first housing from the second housing decouples at least the first port from at least the second port.

An apparatus for providing airflow over food waste includes a first housing coupled with a second housing, the first housing having a chamber to hold food waste, the second housing comprising a fan, the first housing and the second housing being coupled to form one or more input channels for the fan to cause air to flow from the second housing through the first housing into the chamber, and the first housing and the second housing forming one or more output channels for the air to flow from the chamber through the first housing and the second housing and out of a vent of the second housing, wherein none of the one or more input channels intersect with any of the one or more output channels.

A storage receptacle can include a storage bin and a pedal mounted to the receptacle as well as a hopper. A method of using the storage receptacle can include receiving a force on a hopper handle of a hopper of a storage receptacle, the hopper having a cable connection point connected to a cable, based on the force, rotating the hopper to enable a user to place material in a storage bin of the storage receptacle, wherein the rotating causes the cable to have slack and preventing the cable having the slack from coming out of a groove in a pulley via a shroud positioned over at least a portion of the pulley.

A waste container monitoring system may include a monitoring device configured to be positioned in a waste container, a remote processing system, and sensors to monitor conditions of the container. A communication connection communicates the one or more conditions to the remote processing system. A waste compactor monitoring system may include a monitoring assembly having a hub device and one or more sensors connected to the hub device and distributed around the waste compactor system, the one or more sensors being configured to monitor one or more conditions of the waste compactor system. A sensor assembly for a waste container monitoring system may connect to a hydraulic reservoir in a waste compactor. The sensor assembly may include a breather cap, a sensing element for detecting a level and/or a temperature of fluid in the hydraulic reservoir, and a dip tube to support the sensing element inside the hydraulic reservoir.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an organic matter processing apparatus and method for the use thereof to convert organic matter into a ground and substantially dried product. The apparatus uses a bucket assembly that can grind, paddle, and heat organic matter contained therein. The bucket assembly can include a metal housing that has a flat bottom surface with multiple support structures that hold respective impeller assemblies that rotate about respective vertical axes. The impeller assemblies each include cutting structures and other structures designed to mix and agitate matter contained in the bucket assembly. One or more blade arrays can be mounted in a vertical orientation on a side of the metal housing plate and assist in fracture cutting and grinding of contents contained in the bucket.

A storage receptacle can include a storage bin and a pedal mounted to the receptacle as well as a hopper. A method of using the storage receptacle can include receiving a force on a hopper handle of a hopper of a storage receptacle, the hopper having a cable connection point connected to a cable, based on the force, rotating the hopper to enable a user to place material in a storage bin of the storage receptacle, wherein the rotating causes the cable to have slack and preventing the cable having the slack from coming out of a groove in a pulley via a shroud positioned over at least a portion of the pulley.

A waste container monitoring system may include a monitoring device configured to be positioned in a waste container, a remote processing system, and sensors to monitor conditions of the container. A communication connection communicates the one or more conditions to the remote processing system. A waste compactor monitoring system may include a monitoring assembly having a hub device and one or more sensors connected to the hub device and distributed around the waste compactor system, the one or more sensors being configured to monitor one or more conditions of the waste compactor system. A sensor assembly for a waste container monitoring system may connect to a hydraulic reservoir in a waste compactor. The sensor assembly may include a breather cap, a sensing element for detecting a level and/or a temperature of fluid in the hydraulic reservoir, and a dip tube to support the sensing element inside the hydraulic reservoir.

Waste storage devices are provided. The waste storage device is capable of sharing information concerning the health of a user. The waste storage device includes a sampling area in the interior of the container configured to detect the presence of one or more volatile organic compounds. The waste storage device is in communication with a server system capable of generating and delivering a notification to a user. Methods for communicating a health state of a user are also provided.

Disclosed is a waste management device including a housing attached to a waste bin. A plurality of sensors are configured to sense contents of the waste bin. The plurality of sensors are encased by the housing. A processor is electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to collect sensory information related to the contents of the waste bin from the plurality of sensors. The processor is encased by the housing. A wireless transmitter is electrically coupled to the processor. The wireless transmitter is configured to send the sensory information to a server, wherein the wireless transmitter is encased by the housing.

Waste storage devices are provided. The waste storage device is capable of sharing information concerning the health of a user. The waste storage device includes a sampling area in the interior of the container configured to detect the presence of one or more volatile organic compounds. The waste storage device is in communication with a server system capable of generating and delivering a notification to a user. Methods for communicating a health state of a user are also provided.