TITLE: wAIsteCycle: AI-Powered Waste Conversion for Sustainable Resource

Regeneration

SUMMARY:

In the Philippines, carbon emissions present both challenges and

opportunities for sustainable development. This trend poses significant challenges

not only for the environment but also for public health, both within the Philippines

and globally. Schools generate a significant amount of waste, which contributes to

the growing carbon emissions in our country. Thus, the researchers came up with

a solution to create an AI- powered trash bin. Building upon existing solutions, this

research proposes the creation of an AI-Powered Trash bin capable of converting

various types of waste into reusable materials. The methodology of this involves

detailed research planning, material selection, system design, and experimental

analysis. Beneficiaries include households, schools, municipalities, and the

environment, all of whom stand to gain from improved waste management

practices and resource regeneration.

BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM

The rise in carbon emissions is partly due to the lack of discipline among

Filipinos. This trend poses significant challenges not only for the environment but

also for public health, both within the Philippines and globally. Carbon dioxide

emissions, primarily resulting from energy production and utilization, constitute

the most substantial portion of greenhouse gases, which are linked to the

phenomenon of global warming (Databank, 2020).

Schools generate a significant amount of waste, specifically solid waste and

if not properly disposed of, this contributes significantly to carbon emissions

(Bauld, 2021). Solid waste plays a direct role in the production of greenhouse gases
by producing methane through the anaerobic decomposition of waste in landfills

and by releasing nitrous oxide from combustion facilities used for solid waste

disposal (Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, 2020).

Reducing waste is essential for mitigating carbon dioxide emissions. One

effective strategy is to prioritize opting for products with minimal packaging or

choosing reusable items over disposable ones, thus embracing the principles of

reduce, reuse, and recycle (The Nature Conservancy, 2022). Additionally, in the

study conducted by Lam (2021), he created a smart-trash bin, with the assistance

of a sensor and actuator devices, the trash bin can autonomously categorize waste.

With the existing solutions presented, this research proposes to create an AI-

powered trash bin. Despite the limited studies about autonomous trash cans, this

research’s unique feature is the ability to convert waste into reusable product. The

use Artificial Neural Network (ANN) in this project allows the AI-powered trash bin

to segregate different waste to their correct disposal. ANN is a machine learning

program that makes decisions resembling the processes of the human brain (Park

& Lek, 2016).

Beneficiaries of this innovative technology include households, schools,

municipalities, and the environment.

PROPOSED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM PRESENTED

Methodology

This study aims to harness cutting-edge technologies and materials,

researchers endeavor to optimize resource recovery while concurrently mitigating

environmental impact, such as carbon footprint emission, thereby spearheading a

transformative shift in sustainable waste management practices. Specifically, the

researchers will follow the following step-by-step procedure and will utilize the

following materials to achieve these objectives:

Step-by-step procedure:

Procedure Description

Research Planning and Design The researchers will define the specific

research objectives, including the types

of waste to be transformed, the desired

end products, and the environmental

goals

Material Selection and Procurement The researchers will identify the

materials needed for constructing the

waste transformation system.

System Design and Fabrication The researchers will develop detailed

technical drawings and schematics for

the waste management system,

specifying dimensions, component

placement, and connections.

Assembly and Installation The researchers will install system

components, including composting

units, recycling modules, waste-to-

energy conversion units, and

instrumentation.

Experimental Setup and Calibration The researchers will calibrate sensors,

and will monitor the device for accurate

measurement and data acquisition.

Data Collection and Monitoring The researchers will implement data

collection protocols to capture relevant

parameters, such as waste inputs,

process temperatures, and energy

consumption

Analysis The researchers will evaluate the

effectiveness of the prototype based on

performance metrics, such as

conversion efficiency, resource recovery

rates, and environmental impact.

Description of Materials and Cost-Analysis:

Materials Description Estimated

Cost

Composting Chamber The composting chamber is > Php 100,

made of durable steel to 000

withstand the decomposition

process.

Arducam IMX477 UVC Camera A high sensor camera, > Php 30, 000,

mostly used in technologies per unit,

and innovations involving depending on

segregation systems. size and

capacity
High Temperature Alloy Steel The reactor vessel is > Php 250,

Reactor Vessel constructed from high- 000,

temperature alloy steel depending on

capable of withstanding the size capacity,

extreme conditions of waste- and

to-energy processes, such as technology

pyrolysis or gasification.

Polycarbonate Control Panel A durable and lightweight > Php 20, 000

Housing material that protects the

electronic components and

sensors from environmental

factors such as moisture and

dust.

Lithium-ion Battery Bank The lithium-ion battery bank > Php 100,

stores excess energy 000,

generated during waste-to- depending on

energy conversion processes. capacity and

technology
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) piping PVC piping and conduits are > Php 30, 000,

and conduits used to transport waste depending on

materials, and gasses length and

throughout system. diameter

Arduino Uno An open source > Php 10, 000,

microcontroller board based starting kit

on the Microchip

ATmega9328.

Miscellaneous Php 500, 000

Total Cost > Php 1, 040, 000

Product Illustration:

REFERENCES

A. Bauld. (2021). Why Schools Need to Look at Their Own Carbon Footprint.

https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/21/11/why-

schools-need-look-their-own-carbon-footprint

DataBank. (2020). Environmental Emissions.

https://databank.worldbank.org/metadataglossary/millennium-

development-

goals/series/EN.ATM.CO2E.KT#:~:text=Carbon%20dioxide%20emissions%2

0are%20those,Emissions%20(1990%2D2020)

Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. (2020). Climate Change and

Waste. https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Reduce-Reuse-Recycle/Climate-

Change/Climate-Change-and-

Waste#:~:text=Solid%20waste%20contributes%20directly%20to,our%20solid

%20waste%20combustion%20facilities
The Nature Conservancy. (2022). Eight ways to Reduce Waste.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-

states/delaware/stories-in-delaware/delaware-eight-ways-to-reduce-waste/

Y. Park and S. Lek. (2016). Developments in Environmental Modeling.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/bookseries/developments-in-environmental-

modelling