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.

A computer-controlled rubbish container includes a power bank, a control circuit, and a wheel assembly coupled to a bottom portion of a rubbish container. The wheel assembly includes an electric motor coupled to a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates upon a wireless signal sent from a computer to the control circuit. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly is configured to engage and disengage from a ground surface such that the rubbish container is capable of manual pushing.

A recycling identification container, including a main body, including a first section to store at least one trash item therein, a second section connected to the first section to store at least one recycle item therein, and a divider disposed between at least a portion of the first section and the second section to separate the first section from the second section, a cover unit removably connected to at least a portion of a first end of the main body to cover an interior of the main body, and an identification scanner disposed on and within at least a portion of the main body to scan properties of at least one item based on a predetermined algorithm to determine whether the at least one item is at least one of the at least one recycle item and the at least one trash item.

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.

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.

A computer-controlled rubbish container includes a power bank, a control circuit, and a wheel assembly coupled to a bottom portion of a rubbish container. The wheel assembly includes an electric motor coupled to a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates upon a wireless signal sent from a computer to the control circuit. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly is configured to engage and disengage from a ground surface such that the rubbish container is capable of manual pushing.

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.