SmartLoop: A Prototype of Smart Waste Collection Container with User Identification and AI-based Sor
active 1 week, 5 days agoWe are looking for partners to develop and test a prototype of a smart waste collection container designed to improve the accuracy, accountability, and transparency of waste disposal.
The core innovation lies in a rotating waste intake drum mounted on the container, which includes:
A smart lock that opens only after the user identifies themselves (e.g. via ID card or mobile app) and scans the QR code of a dedicated waste bag.
A camera-based system to verify whether only a compliant waste bag has been inserted – any other items are flagged as contamination.
A weighing mechanism that measures the bag’s weight before accepting it into the container.
🔁 Additionally, the system will use special waste bags with unique QR codes, which will be linked to the individual waste holder via the smart container. This feature enables full traceability: if during later waste sorting processes an improperly sorted bag is detected, it can be traced back to the person who disposed of it. This not only encourages responsible behavior but also creates new opportunities for education, feedback, or enforcement.
The project will bring together:
Technology providers (barcode/QR scanners, locking systems, AI-based vision, weighing systems),
Municipalities or waste operators interested in piloting,
Universities or R&D institutions for impact evaluation.
The result will be a fully functional prototype, tested in real-life conditions, and showcased to potential buyers across the Baltic Sea Region.
Let’s build the future of responsible and smart waste collection – together!
