Inspiration
As a group we chose to tackle waste segregation at its final stage, the waste management facility. Approximately 294.4 million tons of waste are generated per year and of that around 30% of it is missorted, creating a need for an efficient method of trash sorting. Waste management facilities are forced to deal with sorting trash by hand which can be very dangerous to individuals if metals or sharp objects are covered or hidden. Together, our group has developed the EcoBin to optimize the way waste management facilities can more efficiently sort trash into organic, non-organic, and plastic trash all the while making trash sorting a safer practice for workers in that environment.
What it does
The EcoBin comes at a modest size of 4m x 2m x 2m, it takes the theoretical fluid dynamic concept of density separation. The EcoBin puts this notion to use by separating trash that gets thrown into the bin into plastics at the top due to their low density and organics alongside non organics on the bottom as a result of its high density.
In a real-world scenario, we begin by throwing trash directly into the bins' bigger rectangular area filled with water. Once sufficient trash is placed in the bin, there will be a fill line indicating when to stop and that is when the sorting process can begin.
Our first step is to fully separate plastics. As a result of water density, they will be around the uppermost area of the water bath. In our system we have an automated plastic pusher that extends and pushes the trash floating at the top of the water bath into the smaller rectangular section adjacent to the main bin (bigger rectangular section). The pusher locks once it reaches the wall separating the two sections and effectively closes the main area off. Water is then drained out of the bin through pulling up a sheet covering a large hole in the bin. Once the water is effectively drained, the bin begins its second segregation process: non organics.
At this point, a section of the wall moves back to reveal a hole, the small rectangular section above it is magnetized allowing for the collection of non-organic metallic materials, the magnet moves forward the entire width of the bin then begins to retract once it reaches the end, as it returns to the same position the lower section moved back too, all of the trash picked up would effectively fall off into the hole. Once the non-organic process is completed, the walls return to their original position effectively leaving only the remaining trash in the middle section of the bin and plastics on adjacent section. For the final step of the process, the floor moves back slowly dropping off the plastics and organics onto their respective tracks. The organics go through a final check from a worker and the bottom returns to its original position.
Filtered water is then used to refill the bin and repeat the process again.
How we built it
We got together and did some research on theoretical concepts that could be applied to the challenge, played around with multiple possible ideas on which we could build upon, decided on a challenging design that tackled aspects and skills we had not been exposed to, as well as worked together diligently to create a working product.
Challenges we ran into
The main challenge was a time constraint, not allowing us to build even more additions to our project.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Were really happy to have had the learning experience of creating a CAD design and developing a product that can be implemented into waste management systems.
What we learned
One of the main things that we learned was how the animation process works for creating a video using CAD software.
What's next for EcoBin
Potential areas for future development include replacing our plastic pusher with a net/pulley system, a rolled-up net placed in the middle wall of our object would be helpful for collecting a wider number of plastics in varying sizes. The EcoBin itself is more than scalable and can be applied to varying sizes of waste management facilities, the bin can also be manufactured multiple times with up to three working to effectively sort trash at one time. The bin can also be further automated by removing the need for personnel completely through adding an artificial intelligence system that can make the final scans and notify operators of trash that may not have been sorted correctly.
Source
We did end up using three cad models to help animate our trash sorting design, those being:
Banana: By Wes Cantrell, May 14th 2018, https://grabcad.com/library/mario-kart-banana-peel-1
Fork: By David, February 27th 2022, https://grabcad.com/library/fork-99
Water Bottle: By Jonathan R Lovell, January 25th, 2023, https://grabcad.com/library/plastic-20oz-ounce-liquid-s-bottle-soda-drink-bottle-screw-cap-container-pet-or-rpet-material-1
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