A start-up company, Bin.E, has designed a "smart bin" which will sort our rubbish into different recycling categories. The bin, which is currently being trialled in Poland, is capable of sorting the waste put into it into different compartments to store tin, cartons, bottles and cardboard. If successful, we could see it on the market in the UK within the next few years.
The bin uses sensors and image recognition to identify the type of waste placed into it, and then sorts it into smaller compartments within the bin itself. It will also compress the waste at the same time so you can fit more into it.
According to research carried out by The Telegraph, several local authorities are considering moving to three-weekly rubbish collections in a bid to force householders to recycle more. As such, this bin could be of some use in the future.
When and if the bin is placed onto the market in 2018, the first official release will be a large bin designed for offices, retailing at an expected £430. The bin can also be monitored through a special smart phone app, which will require a £107 subscription fee. However, the domestic version of the bin will be more affordable.
Cedrec's take
Any innovation that can encourage us to recycle more is, in our opinion, very useful. Although there is a small down side to these bins.
Whilst they may help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, the bin requires an energy supply in order to sort the waste, which can contribute to global warming and increase household and commercial energy bills if the energy is supplied though the mains electricity supply. If it is to be battery powered, that in itself increases the amount of waste produced.
It is however free and relatively quick to sort recycling waste by hand, and quite healthy for the environment (and will result in a tiny bit of exercise too).
