The purpose of this research is to determine the efficacy of proprietary computer vision technology for calculating residential solid waste and recycling rates. The information captured will be geo-tagged so that solid waste and recycling metrics can be determined down to residence level granularity.
Solution development will include integration of existing proprietary algorithms and developing new custom application software. Controlled laboratory and field experiments will be designed and conducted to test the solutions ability to function effectively under a variety of simulated and real-life external conditions.
The findings of the research could be significant given that accurately scanning, recording and reporting the contents of residential recycling and garbage bags at the point of collection creates new regulatory opportunities for promoting and enforcing local conservation and waste management programs. For example, this technology used in conjunction with “Pay-As-You-Throw” pricing programs, would allow for effective communication campaigns, recycling incentives, pricing/billing models to increase residential recycling rates, reduce solid waste disposal and positively impact attitudes and perceptions towards solid waste management.
