Updated: February, 7th 2024
Having recycling programs in facilities is crucial for effective waste management. These programs often rely on recycling bins, which act as temporary storage for recyclable items. Periodically, recycling haulers will transfer the bin contents to the recycling facility for their treatment.
The traditional recycling bin will feature 2 or more openings and signage for the user to sort and dispose of their waste items. Unfortunately, the average user can be uncertain of the local regulations causing recyclable contamination and resulting in fines to the facility and, overall, ineffective recycling.
Thanks to robotics and AI innovations, facilities now have access to remarkable smart bin alternatives. These solutions not only automate on-site waste diversion but also gather and report data while having educational features to engage with the end-user.
In the realm of on-site recycling sorting solutions, making the right choice is crucial. We’ve compiled the most pertinent features to assist you in selecting a solution that aligns with your waste management needs. We’ve compared the leading smart recycling bins in the market, including TrashBot, Bin-E, Oscar Sort, and Evo Eco.
For each smart bin alternative, we will be covering the following:
What Is It?
Why Should You Consider It?
Pros
Cons
#1 TrashBot by CleanRobotics
What is it?
TrashBot by CleanRobotics is a cutting-edge waste management solution that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with robotics to revolutionize how waste is sorted and managed. This innovative system employs advanced technology to streamline the recycling process, making it more efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly.
Equipped with a range of sensors and a powerful AI engine, TrashBot is a smart bin that identifies and automatically separates recyclable items from non-recyclables with an impressive 96% accuracy. Its intuitive interface guides users on proper disposal, ensuring a cleaner and more effective recycling stream. By automating the waste diversion process, TrashBot significantly reduces contamination levels, ultimately leading to higher recycling rates.
Why Should You Consider It?
Automatic sorting: TrashBot’s AI automatically diverts the item into its corresponding bin inside, assigning any contaminated items into the landfill bin or organics into their corresponding bins.
Sorting accuracy: TrashBot dramatically improves the efficiency of waste diversion with a 96% sorting accuracy. Its AI technology can identify and sort the disposed item, sending it to the 3-4 bins inside the receptacle. at a much higher speed and accuracy compared to manual sorting, leading to faster recycling cycles.
Reduced contamination: Contamination is a major challenge in recycling efforts. TrashBot’s precise sorting capabilities minimize the risk of contamination, resulting in higher-quality recyclables and reduced environmental impact.
Built-in Screen: TrashBot features a large built-in screen and content management system. This can be leveraged for advertising, educating the public about recycling best practices or communicating your facility’s sustainability achievements.
Data and automated waste audits: TrashBot captures high-quality data (including photographs of each item) and generates analytics for on-demand, exportable waste audits. With the intuitive dashboard, users can monitor the bin’s capacity, track diversion rates, notice trends, and make strategic decisions.
Cloud connectivity and notifications: The captured waste data is stored in the cloud (and accessible from selected devices), allowing the TrashBot fleet to become smarter over time. The TrashBot smart bin also monitors its internal capacity and triggers SMS or email notifications for the custodial team.
Stream customization: TrashBot can be tailored to specific waste sorting and recycling needs, allowing it to adapt to diverse waste streams and optimize the sorting and diversion of recyclable materials from landfill-bound waste. This stream customization simplifies recycling by adapting to regional recycling rules, mitigating confusion caused by varying regulations in different geographical locations.
Dynamic content: TrashBot now provides real-time, adaptable feedback and engaging, custom content reflecting what is being thrown away. With TrashBot’s waste data, relevant educational content will be shown for the facility’s most popular waste items.
Pros:
Automatic sorting
96% sorting accuracy
Big built-in screen and content management system
Reporting and analytics dashboard
Cloud storage and connectivity
Notifications for fullness indication and jams
Interactive color-changing light-up logo sign
Customizable 2, 3, or 4 separate waste streams
Designed and manufactured in the USA
Service and maintenance included
Total capacity of 80 Gallons (304 Liters)
Dynamic content for user engagement
Cons:
Waste items need to be disposed one item at a time
Cycle time is designed for 4-6 seconds but can take up to 7-12 seconds
#2 Bin-E
What Is It?
Bin-e is an AI-based smart waste bin, designed for public places, enabling them to simplify recycling. It sorts and compresses the waste automatically, controls the fill level, and processes data for convenient waste management. They offer two versions: The original Bin-e and the new Bin-e Electro, designed to streamline the sorting of diverse recyclable materials like e-waste, lightbulbs, batteries, and more.
Image source: https://bine.world/
Why Should You Consider It?
Automatic sorting: The recognized waste will be then transported to the right fraction. Everything happens 100% automatically.
Sorting accuracy: Bin-e uses an AI-based recognition system to identify waste, reaching a sorting accuracy of over 92%.
Compression of plastic and paper: Plastic and paper get compressed to decrease the volume and lower the frequency of bin emptying.
Cloud connectivity and notifications: All the data Bin-e collects is transferred onto a cloud and processed in real time. Fill level sensors check whether the bin needs to be emptied. The facility will receive a phone or e-mail alert when the bins are full.
App for stats & reports: Bin-e’s app provides you with detailed statistics about the waste you collected, data for optimizing waste collection, and the technical status of the Bin-e devices.
Pros:
Automatic sorting
92% sorting accuracy
Big built-in screen and content management system
Reporting and analytics dashboard
Cloud storage and connectivity
Notifications for fullness indication
Branding and color customization
Waste compacting
Cons:
Based out of Dąbrowa, Poland
No sorting option for organic or contaminated items
Image source: https://solarimpulse.com/
#3 EvoEco
What Is It?
EvoEco is a freestanding, modular set of smart waste bins to empower enterprises’ sustainability efforts, while also reducing their bottom-line waste costs. Their intelligent monitoring system also allows for the bins to monitor how full they are and notify service personnel when they need to be emptied.
EvoEco hosts a suite of internal tools that enable enterprises to gather analytics on where their customers are throwing items away and how much they are depositing at a given location. These analytics allow businesses to better understand consumer behavior, and optimize their operations accordingly, saving them both time and money.
Image source: https://solutionsearch.org/
Why Should You Consider It?
Responsive messages: When a user discards their waste, sensors inside the EvoBin trigger responsive messages. Messages can be customized for specific audiences and events. The EvoBin can show environmental facts—or demonstrate how much money your organization could save by recycling.
Data and analytics: Every EvoBin waste deposit can be recorded on a personalized back-end dashboard. Real-time data can help building managers monitor activity and optimize custodial services across multiple locations.
Wasteproof enclosure with security and castor options.
Pros:
Responsive video content
Data and analytics
Based out of Seattle, WA
Cons:
No automatic sorting
Additional cost for video customization
23 gallon capacity
Image source: https://art.washington.edu/
#4 Oscar Sort by Intuitive
What Is It?
Oscar Sort is a smart recycling assistant trained to identify all manner of food and beverage containers by pointing the trash item at its screen and providing back the information to the user on whether the item is recyclable or compostable.
Oscar Sort is easily attached to waste bins. It identifies different items within the hands of users – such as used paper napkins or a biodegradable spoon – and estimates the variation of body postures of approaching users.
Image source: Medium.com
Why Should You Consider It?
Screen with built-in camera: Oscar uses a display screen and AI camera to identify recycling from trash and instructs users which bin to use when disposing of waste.
Retrofits to existing bins: Oscar Sort fits to existing waste receptacles within a facility allowing it to be a global solution to solving a global problem. The 3 core configurations of Oscar Sort allow it to retrofit in all existing scenarios: plugging right behind a bin, attaching to a wall, or simply sitting on a countertop within a kitchen.
Customization: Intuitive aligns each site’s recycling guidelines which allow any site to nudge individuals and provide feedback at the most critical time. Oscar Sort allows any facility to get extremely granular, like outlining the liquid which could be present in bottles, leftover organics within food boxes, or splitting the lids and sleeves from a coffee cup.
Data and notifications: Oscar Sort begins by analyzing waste pickup trends and helps set optimized schedules and can even provide alerts as bins begin filling up at an unusual pace or reach a specific threshold. The prediction engine instructs to recognize the fill level of the dustbin at the time of disposing of the things. Finally, the research is done for the gesture implementation so that Oscar will give a sign to custodial staff when it’s time to empty the bin.
User engagement: Oscar Sort increases user engagement 7 times.
Pros:
Gamification
Retrofits to existing bins
Reporting and analytics dashboard
Fullness notifications and trends prediction
7x increased user engagement
Cons:
No automatic sorting
Based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada
Image source: https://intuitiveai.ca/oscar-sort
Investing in the right smart recycling bin can be a game-changer for your facility’s waste management efforts. With advanced robotics and AI technology, these innovative solutions not only streamline the recycling process but also educate and engage users. By making an informed choice, you’re not only contributing to a more sustainable future but also ensuring compliance with local regulations and avoiding costly fines. Take the first step towards a greener tomorrow by implementing a smart recycling bin solution that perfectly aligns with your waste management needs. Together, we can make a significant impact on the environment.
#5 MyMatR
What is it?
MyMatR is a smart waste bin designed to sort waste at the source of disposal automatically. Equipped with advanced image recognition software, MyMatR provides valuable waste stream analysis, allowing users to optimize recycling efforts and reduce landfill use. The system ensures efficient waste categorization into the trash and recycling bins inside and offers a dashboard for real-time data reporting, making waste management more sustainable and streamlined.
Image source: https://www.mymatrcorp.com
Why Should You Consider It?
Automatic Sorting: MyMatR incorporates artificial intelligence for waste sorting at the point of disposal. MyMatR identifies and separates discarded waste, ensuring efficient categorization into landfill and recycling bins.
Real-Time Data Reporting: Through Wi-Fi or 4G/LTE, users can access real-time data about their waste disposal habits. The system allows users to access and export waste data, empowering them with insights into their environmental footprint.
Fullness Detection: MyMatR offers fullness detection capabilities. Sending alerts from any location when each bin reaches capacity, optimizing waste collection efficiency.
Educational Display: The embedded display screen provides users with valuable information on proper waste disposal practices.
Customization Options: MyMatR offers various container shapes and sizes, and the optional customization of the cover design for the client’s specific needs. MyMatR can include advertising on the containers for businesses looking to maximize visibility.
Pros:
Automatic sorting
Reporting and analytics dashboard
7” Built-in screen
Wi-Fi or 4G/LTE connectivity
Notifications for fullness indication
Branding customization
Total capacity of 46 or 72 Gallons
3 sec. cycle time
Cons:
Only two waste streams (bins inside)
Sorting accuracy unknown
Binary decision limitation
Image source: https://www.mymatrcorp.com