rECOnnect: Smart Waste Bin for Internet Access

This study introduces an innovative waste disposal method by incorporating technology into a plastic bottle trash bin that offers Wi-Fi access as a reward for proper waste management. The “smart bin” is designed to collect plastic bottles and grant internet time to users. It operates using a microcontroller with sensors that detect deposited bottles, displaying the number collected and the corresponding internet access time. Users can press a button to transfer this time to a TP-Link module, which provides a voucher code for internet access. Testing revealed that the bin's infrared (IR) sensor effectively counted bottles when inserted one at a time but struggled with multiple bottles, often registering just one. After five bottles, the system successfully generated a voucher code and reset the count. The study concluded that the smart bin accurately tracks bottles and provides corresponding internet access, ensuring a reliable user experience.