Reverse Vending Machine Using TCRT5000 and Inductive Proximity Sensors for Bottles and Cans Sorting

Garbage has always been a problem in Indonesia. One root is the lack interest in throwing them in their proper place. Additionally, the waste that has been disposed is not managed properly. In response to it, the authors designed a trash bin as a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) with the ability to detect bottles and cans and provide rewards for the person. The machine was able to detect bottles by using the TCRT5000 sensor and cans by using an inductive proximity sensor. Both trashes were also sorted to a specific trash bin directly, and the reward was calculated directly based on the total of bottles and cans put into it. A push button can be pressed to print out the ticket, but it would decline the request when there is no bottles or cans input. In addition, ultrasonic sensors were installed to automatically check the trash bins of the RVM, and LEDs were used to notify the user whether the trash bin of the bottles or cans were already full or not. After 24 attempts of testing, the successful rate was found to be 100%.