Compostable organic waste collection method and materials

Abstract

A method of collecting and processing organic waste material is disclosed, comprising, placing organic waste in an identifiable can liner, placing the can liner in a general waste stream, and at a later point in time removing the can liner from the waste stream while maintaining the integrity of the contents therein.

Claims

1. A method of collecting and processing compostable, organic waste material within a mixed waste stream, comprising: using a waste collection vehicle to collect from each of a plurality of homeowners general waste and a liner containing compostable, organic waste, wherein the liner is adapted to be separated from the mixed waste stream by being formed of a material that is flexible, resistant to tearing, and capable of withstanding compaction such that the liner does not break open in the waste collection vehicle; wherein for each homeowner, the general waste and the liner containing the compostable, organic waste are together contained within a single receptacle and the receptacle is emptied into the waste collection vehicle such that the liner containing the compostable, organic waste and the general waste are added to the mixed waste stream; using the waste collection vehicle to transport the collected waste to a separation location; and separating the liners containing the compostable, organic waste from the mixed waste stream at the separation location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a scannable identifier embedded within the material of the liner, and wherein the step of separating further comprises automatically identifying the liner by scanning the scannable identifier within the embedded material of the liner.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation location is a waste processing facility.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation location is a transfer station.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation location is a landfill.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the liner is biodegradable.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the liner is colored conspicuously enabling identification and separation of the liner from the general waste in the mixed waste stream.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the liner is blue.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates an example method of collecting and processing organic waste material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(2) The present invention utilizes a uniquely configured waste can liner for the purpose of disposing of organic biodegradable waste materials. Examples of organics include fruits and vegetables (rinds and peels), meat, poultry, seafood, eggshells, rice, beans, cheese, bones (bone meal), waxed cardboard products, frozen/refrigerated food boxes, napkins, paper towels, paper plates, milk cartons, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, parchment and waxed papers, hair (pet hair), and the like. Yard waste, plant, and flower materials are also generally considered organic/compostable materials, but as described below they can be treated differently under the method of the present invention.

(3) The waste can liner of the present invention is specially and uniquely designed as a receptacle for the foregoing organic materials. One unique feature of the can liner is that is colored conspicuously and in a hue that is not common for waste or trash can liners to make it easily identifiable. Blue is one such color that is easy to spot and is not commonly used, making the can liners readably identifiable from the rest of the material in the waste stream, other conspicuous colors can also be used.

(4) The can liner can also be equipped with an embedded identifier that would allow for automated identification of the can liner. Identifiers can include RFID tags, bar codes, or other scanable or readable identifiers. The identifier can be placed in the can liner, or embedded within the material of the can liner, or adhered to the outside of the can liner. Preferably the identifier would be placed in a manner where it remains fixed during the waste collection and separation process, and most preferably where it can be removed and reused or recycled at the end of the process.

(5) The can liners would also preferably be comprised of a material that is suitable to the task for which the can liners are intended. The can liners must be strong enough to resist tearing, be flexible, and would need to withstand compaction. Thus, the thickness should be suitable and preferably in the range of about 1.4 to about 1.57. The can liner should also be biodegradable. Suitable materials include bioplastics, and the like.

(6) The method of the present invention is carried out in the following manner. The can liners of the present invention would be distributed to the customers on one or more conventional manners. For example, the can liners could be provided by the waste removal company periodically as they pick up waste. The can liners could be purchased from retail establishments, or ordered online. Most preferably, the can liners will either be delivered by the hauler when setting up a new account, or at program renewal anniversaries the can liners would be delivered to the customer's home by mail or common carrier. The program can also include specialized cans to be used with the can liners that can be similarly provided.

(7) The consumer would then fill the can liners with organic material until the can liner is full or otherwise ready for disposal, and then dispose of the can liner in the same receptacle as the general trash and waste. There would be no need to segregate the can liner from other types of trash. The waste, including the compostable bag with the organic waste, is then picked up by the carrier in the normal manner.

(8) In one embodiment of the invention, the can liners are tagged with an identifier. In this case the identifier can be scanned or read at the point of pickup. This can be done by automated devices such as RFID reader, barcode reader, or the like. Preferably, the reader would be located on the waste collection vehicle in a position where it can read the identifier as the waste is deposited into the vehicle.

(9) Another feature that can take place at this time is recording the geographic location of the vehicle at the time the identifier reads the can liner identifier. This allows for correlation of a particular customer with their organic waste. The geolocation information can be recorded with a GPS type device. Alternatively, it would not be necessary to use a geolocation device if the can liners are ordered and delivered to the customer by the waste collection company. In that case, the company would already be able to correlate can liners with customers using the identifiers, and it would only be necessary to read the identifier at the time of collection (or it can be done at a later point in time).

(10) At some point after collection, the bagged organic material needs to be separated from the rest of the waste. Separation can take place at any place where the waste would require some processing normally, such as a transfer station or at the landfill itself. Separation is possible because of the distinctive color of the can liners. In addition, the identifier can be used assist in the process of locating the organic can liners. Furthermore, in the case where the identifier has been previously correlated to location it is possible to scan the can liners at the point of separation rather than at the point of collection.

(11) FIG. 1 illustrates an example method 100 of collecting and processing organic waste material. The example method 100 includes block 102, which recites providing waste collection vehicle. The example method 100 further includes block 104, which recites providing dedicated organic waste liner. The example method 100 further includes block 106, which recites filling liner with organic waste. The example method 100 further includes block 108, which recites placing liner into mixed waste stream. The example method 100 further includes block 110, which recites separating liner from mixed waste stream.

(12) In this manner, the present invention substantially overcomes the problems of the prior art. Organic waste can be collected without segregation from the general waste stream, which eliminates the need for separate containers to store the waste prior to collection, and the need for a separate fleet of vehicles to collect the waste that provides substantial environmental benefits as well as substantially reduced equipment costs for the hauler. In addition, organic material can be separated from yard waste, which reduces unnecessary processing of yard waste. It would no longer be necessary to process yard waste for pathogen elimination.

(13) The ability to associate organic waste with a customer, though the use of identifiers and scanners provides additional advantages. It provides the ability to track how well the program is being used by tracking a customer's usage. It can also be used to determine when a customer needs to reorder can liners, and trigger automatic delivery of additional can liners. It can be used for billing purposes, if a per can liner fee is charged. It can also be used to identify customers that are not placing the correct waste in the can liners.

(14) The present invention is particularly adapted for commercial use. Commercial entities frequently do not participate in organic and/or yard waste recycling because of the physical limitations such programs impose. Commercial customers typically only have room for one bin or dumpster and cannot physically accommodate additional bins/dumpsters. The present invention accommodates commercial needs by allowing for segregation or organics without introduction of separate containers.

(15) Additionally, the organic materials can be co-collected with regular landfill waste or co-collected with yard waste. In the latter case, the yard waste and organics can be separated and collected in the same stream, but separate from landfill waste. Or, as stated above organics can be collected with general landfill waste and may, or may not include yard waste.

(16) While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in reference to the foregoing disclosure, the invention is not so limited.

(17) Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods, and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

(18) The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.