Intelligent garbage sorting machines make being green easier

An intelligent garbage sorting and collection machine goes into operation in the Pudong New Area on Wednesday to mark World Environment Day, providing an easy and efficient solution to garbage classification.

The machine has four bins for different garbage, namely electronic waste, beverage bottles, waste newspaper and waste clothing. It can weigh garbage, redeem green account points, monitor abnormal situations and send warnings to the platform once garbage overflows. It has also achieved remote management, data collection and analysis.

When people correctly dump trash into the machine, their dumping record and green account points will be sent to the big data platform, allowing residents to check their points and dumping information on their phones while providing reference to government authorities on the management of garbage.

Unlike traditional garbage sorting spots in residential communities, the machines do not require volunteers to be on site assisting in point redemption of green accounts, making the new system much more efficient. The whole process of dumping and green account point redemption can be finished within one minute.

People can acquire points in real time for dumping garbage into the correct bins. Both virtual and real green account cards are supported, and residents can exchange the points for items like washing powder, detergent and soap.

Residents with the highest amount of points monthly can also receive extra gifts.

About 20 such machines have been set up in Huamu community, Nanmatou Road community, Heqing Town and Kangqiao Town.

The target is to achieve a domestic garbage sorting rate of over 95 percent and a recycling rate of over 35 percent in Pudong by 2020.