EcoWaste

A Concept Paper Presented to the Faculty of

FAITH Fidelis Senior High

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subjects:

Earth & Life Science, Earth Science, English for Academic & Professional Purposes,
Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person,
and Oral Communication in Context

Submitted by:

Rian Mark Regalado

Gabriel Daseco
Rysen Ahdriel De Sagun
Miles Dave Lat
Khyle Jasper Tierra
Xiana Paula Atienza
Rhyz Paulene Motanez
Jasmine Gayeta
Xchyler Villegas

October 2023
I. ABSTRACT

"EcoWaste," a revolutionary trashcan created to solve the urgent problem of ineffective

waste segregation and its detrimental environmental effects, is introduced. EcoWaste appears as
a solution to this growing problem as worrisome worldwide trash statistics reveal a significant
increase in the output of municipal solid garbage. The concept paper emphasizes the seriousness
of the issue by underlining the negative consequences of incorrect garbage disposal, such as air
and water pollution, harm to marine life, and the contribution to global warming. To reduce toxic
chemical emissions and related health issues, EcoWaste provides an autonomous waste
segregation system that separates recyclable, non-recyclable, and biodegradable materials. The
article explains the philosophy underlying EcoWaste, emphasizing its practicality and
effectiveness in waste management, which supports environmental preservation and social well-
being. The product is environmentally friendly and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by using
solar electricity. EcoWaste has the potential to revolutionize trash management, helping both
communities that struggle with waste contamination and poor waste management as well as
garbage collectors.

II. INTRODUCTION

According to the World Bank, the municipal solid waste the world generates is 2.01
billion tons and is expected to rise by 70% to 3.4 billion tons by 2050. This affects people,
oceans, the environment, etc. since greenhouse gases are emitted from waste, which contributes
to global warming and air pollution. In addition, waste pollution also contributes to water
pollution as litter can be washed into waters, which could lead to the death of water organisms
and drain cloggage. One of the causes of this dilemma is the poor practice of waste segregation
among humans. According to an article from Palawan News, Benito De Leon, DENR
Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management, stated that “Although there is a significant
observation on the compliance among households in some areas, there are others who still don’t
segregate. We need to remind ourselves that our neglect of waste segregation leads to
environmental impacts such as harm to our marine life”. Since proper waste segregation could
not be implemented correctly, our product, EcoWaste, is here to solve that problem.

EcoWaste is a trashcan that does wonders for easy waste segregation and saving the
environment. It is a trashcan that has an automatic waste segregator system that separates
biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable materials. According to Omang et al. (2022),
the risks to public health, as well as the unsightliness and foul odors generated by open waste
dumping, indicate the need for efficient waste disposal solutions. Since waste does not belong
together, it creates harmful chemicals that are responsible for air, soil, and water pollution,
leading to health issues like cholera, malaria, and respiratory infections. EcoWaste can easily
segregate the waste according to its category, which ensures the waste is not mixed. leading to a
decrease in harmful chemicals released by combined trash and the health problems associated
with it. According to research by Bernando (2008), the government's garbage pickup is relied
upon by individuals. However, some people choose to dispose of their trash in areas that are not
intended for this purpose, typically at street corners. With EcoWaste, individuals can be more
motivated to throw away their trash as it will segregate it automatically compared to traditional
segregating.
 EcoWaste is a solar-powered product designed to enhance daily life convenience and
environmental sustainability by separating biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recycled
materials. It reduces human effort in waste separation and contributes to environmental
protection by minimizing mixed waste effects. EcoWaste is placed in various locations to
prevent littering and improper waste segregation.

III. RATIONALE

Utilizing a trashcan that uses a solar panel to properly segregate biodegradable, non-
biodegradable, and recyclable waste can bring benefits both to our daily lives and the
environment. In terms of daily life, such a device can make waste management more convenient
and efficient, as it will automatically sort materials for appropriate disposal. This can reduce the
amount of time and effort needed to dispose of waste, freeing up time for other activities.
Additionally, by being able to properly separate waste materials, we can reduce the amount of
pollution caused by improper disposal, thus benefiting our environment and the community at
large.

Our product uses solar energy to make the scanners work, which is renewable by nature,
making it eco-friendly, and it doesn't emit greenhouse gases that could be responsible for
pollution. The sensor is protected from polycarbonate glass (a glass that can withstand extreme
amounts of force and is nearly unbreakable), which protects the sensor from malfunctioning
while still being able to scan trash. This trash can require daily maintenance to clean out possible
waste that could block the scanner's ability, leading to improper waste segregation.

IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

EcoWaste, an eco-friendly trash can that automatically segregates wastes accordingly to

three categories (biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable).

Goals
1.) Enhance convenience and efficiency in daily life while promoting environmental
sustainability since our product uses solar panels which prevents the emission of
greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change.
2.) To help people's daily lives because it will separate biodegradable, non-biodegradable,
and recycled materials.
3.) To reduce the impact of waste pollution in areas prone to the environmental problem
4.) Encourage people to participate in sustainable waste management practices.

Objectives
1.) Educate the people to contribute to environmental protection by talking about
minimizing the negative effects of mixed waste on the environment.
2.) Placing EcoWaste in communities (barangays), parks, schools, malls, cities, and
beaches where much waste can be seen so that humans will not favor improper waste
segregation and littering.
Methodology
1.) Make a hollow body of stainless steel (rectangular shape, 7 ft in length, 2 feet in
width, and 3.5 feet in height) with three divisions. Each division will have a cabinet to
dispose trash if it is full.
2.) Create a circular hole on top of the trash can and connect it to a tube that divides into
three connected to the three divisions to separate three waste categories (biodegradable,
non-biodegradable, and recyclable). Inside the tube
3.) Place a sensor near the tube which has a hole covered with polycarbonate glass to
scan which of the three categories a trash may belong. Place a sensor in the cabinets to
determine whether the trash are ready to be disposed.
4.) Add a generator at the back so that the sensor will work which is powered by solar
panels.

V. BENEFICIARY

EcoWaste would first benefit the trash collectors because their work will become easier
since segregation is already being done by our product. Secondly, it would benefit families in
communities that suffer from waste pollution since our product can easily separate waste, leading
to a decrease in the health problems associated with waste pollution. Lastly, it would benefit the
communities that suffer from poor waste management since our product will help facilitate the
process of segregating waste. Additionally, electricity is not required to automatically segregate
waste because it has a solar panel that lasts up to 1 day and 12 hours.

VI. BLUEPRINT/CONCEPT/DRAWING

EcoWaste Blueprint/Concept
 EcoWaste represented in 3D format.

REFERENCES
(1) Cheapa Waste Skips. (2022 June). Global Waste Statistics – 2022.
https://cheapawasteskips.com.au/global-waste-statistics-2022/#env

(2) Kaza, S., Yao, L., Bhada-Tata, P., Van Woerden, F. (2018). What a Waste 2.0: A Global
Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050. Urban Development.
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/30317

(3) Medina, B. (2022, May 30). DENR: Solid waste segregation still a major challenge in the
Philippines. Palawan News. https://palawan-news.com/denr-solid-waste-segregation-still-a-
major-challenge-in-the-philippines/

(4) Omang, D. I., John, G. E., Inah, S. A., & Bisong, J. O. (2021). Public health implication of
solid waste generated by households in Bekwarra Local Government area. African Health
Sciences. 21(3), 1467–1473. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i3.58

(5) Bernando, E. (2008). Solid-Waste Management Practices of Households in Manila,

Philippines. Environmental Challenges in the Pacific Basin. 1140(1), 420-424.
https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1454.016