Existing Solutions

Introduction

Looking through the patents showed us some interesting info. It is clear that the technology for sorting trash into specific categories exists, but it has never been used for standard trash bins before. The search for patents in itself was not too difficult, as much of these technologies are being used by recycling companies, but just aren't consumer ready products that could be used everywhere. Overall, these patents show us that the solution we have in mind is indeed something possible, while at the same time confirming that a product on this type of scale has not been done before.

1. Patent name: Technique for Recycling Match Weight Calculations

Patent number: US 9,626,412

Date of patent: April 18, 2017

Patent abstract: System for, and method of, recycling field value weights as computed for database linking purposes. In some embodiments, such weights may be used for a search operation prior to their values stabilizing during an iterative linking operation.

2. Patent name: Secondary separation system for recylcables

Patent number: US 8,8131,972

Date of patent: Aug 26, 2014

Patent abstract: Apparatus methods for separating fractions having monetary value from residual streams from a MRF are disclosed.

3. Patent name: App number 05254327.9 - recycling sorter

Patent number: EP 1 616 636 A1

Date of patent: Jan 18, 2006

Patent abstract: Systems and methods for collecting data pertaining to glass, plastic and/or paper composition within an input stream that includes recyclable material. The data collected can pertain, for example, to the weight and/or volume of the glass, plastic and/or paper within the input stream. The data can be certified for use a third party.

Products:

Product 1: Japanese Recycling Bins

Pros: They are very in depth with what goes where with lots of different bins for the various types of items, their recycling rate is very high compared to the U.S.

Cons: Japan uses laws to get people to recycle correctly, which is pretty unlikely to go into effect in America.

Product 2: Commercial Outdoor Recycling Bin

Pros: Very simple, can be moved around easily, fairly cheap to buy for your own house.

Cons: It is just a box, so all the work is up to the owner, does not have anything on it to help you determine if an item is recyclable either.

Product 3: Commercial Recycling Station

Pros: Has a few places to sort between recycling such as paper and cans, still pretty cheap, uses bags to carry trash out of the bins

Cons: Not that many different categories to sort between, fairly rare to come across compared to the simple 1 bin.

Summary:

These products all do their jobs well, but they don’t take into account the ability for people to not put the correct item into the correct bin. Also, as the materials used are generally cheap, you can sometimes come into the problem of having the bin break.