Abstract

Solid waste management has been recognized as a pressing global concern with issues concerning the environment. In the Philippines, solid waste management has been proven to be inefficient in collection and disposal, leading to adverse environmental impacts and health hazards. Current trends in solid waste generation and management call for urgent action and improved strategies to address the challenges. This study aims to develop and implement a smart segregating trash can that utilizes technology to effectively sort and manage wet and dry wastes. This solution not only helps to reduce school waste but also provide an interactive experience for end users to actively participate in waste management practices. The prototype was evaluated through user testing and feedback from both end users and experts in fields of IT and electrical engineering. The study utilized a quasi-experimental approach and interpreted data through the utilization of ANOVA. The results showed there is no significant difference between the experience of end users and experts in terms of satisfaction, usability, and accuracy. It is also found that the abilities of the AI-m Smart Trash Can in segregating waste were consistent and reliable across a variety of waste materials. Overall, the prototype has shown to be intuitive, convenient, and efficient; however, some limitations and improvements can still be made to further enhance the functionality and performance of AI-m Smart Trash Can.
Keywords. solid waste management, smart segregating trash can, waste segregation prototype testing and evaluation, technology, user experience