EcoVend

Recycle Smart, Earn Rewards: Transform Waste into Worth with Our Intelligent Vending Machine

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Inspiration

Our planet is grappling with the challenge of increasing waste, with landfills overflowing and recycling often overlooked. We wanted to create something that not only addresses this problem but also inspires action. The idea of combining technology, sustainability, and rewards led us to develop EcoVend, a smart reverse vending machine that makes recycling easy, fun, and rewarding for everyone.

What It Does

EcoVend revolutionizes recycling by allowing users to deposit bottles and cans into designated compartments. Here's how it works:

  1. Users verify their unique code through the keypad.
  2. They choose whether they’re depositing a bottle or a can.
  3. The respective compartment opens, guided by smart motors.
  4. Sensors detect the deposited item, and the user is rewarded with points, which are updated on their dashboard in real-time.

EcoVend not only helps segregate waste but also incentivizes recycling with a gamified experience.

How We Built It

Hardware:

  • The brain of the project is an ESP-WROOM-32 microcontroller, managing Wi-Fi communication and sensor integration.
  • A servo motor operates the bottle compartment, while a stepper motor (ULN2003APG driver) handles the can compartment.
  • Sensors, including an IR sensor for bottles and an ultrasonic sensor for cans, ensure accurate object detection.
  • The user interface includes an LCD screen and a matrix keypad for easy interaction.

Software:

  • The backend server, built using modern web frameworks, handles user verification, points updates, and dashboard integration.
  • Real-time communication between the machine and backend is achieved through HTTP requests over Wi-Fi.
  • The ESP32 firmware is programmed to handle hardware operations, sensor readings, and backend interactions.

Challenges We Ran Into

  • Hardware Integration: Combining multiple components like sensors, motors, and the ESP32 required precise pin management and careful optimization.
  • Servo Compatibility: The standard Servo library was incompatible with ESP32, so we switched to an alternative PWM solution for smooth operation.
  • Wi-Fi Stability: Ensuring consistent connectivity for real-time updates posed challenges, especially in environments with weak signals.

Accomplishments That We're Proud Of

  • Successfully integrated IoT and hardware components to build a fully functional prototype.
  • Designed a system that rewards users for recycling, encouraging sustainable behavior.
  • Built a user-friendly interface that simplifies the recycling process for all age groups.

What We Learned

  • The importance of choosing compatible hardware and software components for IoT projects.
  • How to optimize real-time communication between a device and backend server using HTTP protocols.
  • The value of teamwork and iterative problem-solving in overcoming challenges during hardware and software integration.

What's Next for EcoVend

  1. Mobile App Integration: Building an app for users to track their points, redeem rewards, and find the nearest EcoVend machine.
  2. Solar Power: Making EcoVend energy-efficient by integrating solar panels.
  3. AI-Powered Sorting: Enhancing the machine with AI to sort different types of recyclable materials automatically.
  4. Community Engagement: Partnering with schools, colleges, and public spaces to install EcoVend machines and promote recycling awareness campaigns.

EcoVend is not just a machine—it’s a step toward building a sustainable future. Together, let’s make recycling smarter, rewarding, and impactful!

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