A method comprises emitting detection radiation into a container; receiving a reflection of the emitted radiation from contents of the container; interpreting the received reflection to determine the contents of the container.

The present disclosure relates to a waste bin for waste paper products and other waste, the waste bin including a frame for supporting at least two, preferably exactly two, compartments; an upper compartment supported by the frame and configured to receive waste paper product, in particular, paper towels; and a lower compartment supported by the frame and configured to receive other types of waste; wherein the upper compartment is arranged above the lower compartment in a vertical direction of the waste bin, wherein the lower compartment comprises a liquid-impermeable bottom section and, preferably, liquid-impermeable side-wall sections, and wherein at least one of the upper and lower compartments is detachable from the frame, and wherein each of the upper compartment and the lower compartment is accessible for introducing waste material thereinto independently from the respective other compartment. The present disclosure further relates to a method of servicing a waste bin.

A waste management system comprises a waste bin storing waste, wherein the waste bin comprises a smart waste bin sensor device installed on the waste bin of a waste bin owner. The smart waste bin sensor device comprises a set of sensors that sends and receives signals through a wireless network to a cloud server. The set of sensors implements, operates, detects, measures, and monitors environmental conditions inside or outside the waste bin. A waste and litter sensor detects, measures, and monitors a waste type, a waste volume, a litter type, a litter level, a biohazardous waste type, and a biohazardous waste level. A pathogen biosensor detects, measures, and monitors a pathogen type and a biosafety level. The pathogen biosensor comprises a sterilizer to kill pathogens. A waste bin mobile application and a waste collection facility application functionality enable a user to monitor waste in the waste bin.

Systems and methods for secure card printing ribbon removal may include a shredding unit, a collection unit, and a processor. The shredding unit may shred card printing ribbon and generate ribbon waste. The collection unit may be removably attached to the shredding unit and receive ribbon waste from the shredding unit. The collection unit may comprise a transparent material, a visual fill line, and a sensor that determines the amount of ribbon waste contained in the collection unit. Upon determination that the amount of ribbon waste exceeds a threshold, the sensor may generate a signal. The processor may operate the shredding unit and the collection unit, receive the signal generated by the collection unit, and generate, based on the signal, a prediction of a remaining capacity of the collection unit. The ribbon may include material containing sensitive information.

A method for efficiently and automatically requesting waste collection services through the use of mobile communication devices is disclosed. The method utilizes a fill-level sensor or fill-level sensors attached to dumpsters of various sizes. The fill-level sensor is configured to monitor a dumpster's capacity in terms of waste volume. Whenever the volume reaches a predetermined fill-level set by the generator, an automatic collection request is sent out to at least one hauler capable of carrying out the collection.

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.

A trash container having an automated trash bag dispensing system which automatically deploys a replacement trash bag upon removal of a filled bag. A supply of trash bags is fed into the main trash container by a motorized roller assembly. A pair of opposing suction pads are pivotally deployed inward and suction activation attracts the opposing sides of the bag to corresponding suction pads. Retraction of the suction pads functions to expand the bag to an open configuration whereby it is suitably configured to receive trash.

Systems and methods for autonomous robotic waste and recycling bin collection, including a plurality of receptacles, having a lid, a fill sensor on the underside of the lid and a collection bin, with a robot engagement mechanism. The fill sensor detects a fill level of the receptacle. The system also has autonomous robots, having a plurality of robot sensors and at least one prong connected to a motor. A bin collection server receives the fill levels from the fill sensors; determines a plurality of full bins; generates a collection instruction and sends the collection instruction to an autonomous robot. The autonomous robot navigates to each bin; inserts at least one prong into the robot engagement mechanism; lifts the collection bin; navigates to the collection facility; and deposits the collection bin in the collection facility.

The present invention relates to a novel trash can configured to provide money to users in exchange for trash/litter and recyclable items. The trash can has separate bins for collecting trash and recyclables; a weight sensor for determining a weight of the collected trash and recyclables; a processor for determining cash value corresponding to the weight of the collected trash and recyclables; a coin tray for storing coins; a bill tray for storing bills; a coin slot configured to dispense coins from the coin tray; and a bill slot for dispensing bills from the bill tray for providing a monetary amount to a user in exchange for depositing trash and recyclables. The bins can be removed, and the trays can be refilled by municipal authorities. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly has a screen display for displaying the weight of items and corresponding monetary amount.

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.