High School Project

Welcome to the “Future Innovators: Cool STEM Projects to Change the World” series! In this project, you will design a Smart Waste Sorting System that can automatically separate recyclable materials like plastic, paper, and metal from non-recyclable waste. This project introduces you to the exciting world of automation, sensor technology, and waste management—important topics for building a more sustainable future.

By the end of this project, you’ll have created a waste sorting simulation where smart sensors and technology help efficiently separate waste. You’ll also explore how this system can reduce pollution, improve recycling rates, and help cities manage their waste more effectively.

What You Will Learn

  • How smart sensors and automation can be used to sort waste materials.
  • How to design and implement a waste sorting system using technologies like color detection and material sensors.
  • How to simulate real-world systems using CoSpaces or Python to demonstrate automated waste sorting.

STEM Learning Process

1. Science: Learn about the different materials in waste (such as plastic, metal, and paper) and why they need to be sorted for recycling.
2. Technology: Use sensors and coding tools to build an automated sorting system that identifies and separates waste.
3. Engineering: Design a machine that can automate the waste sorting process and reduce human error.
4. Math: Apply logic and pattern recognition algorithms to make the waste sorting system efficient and accurate.

What You Need

Software Requirements:

  • CoSpaces (for building a 3D simulation) or Python (if you prefer a code-based simulation).
  • Arduino Kit (optional) with sensors if you want to build a physical prototype.
  • Data on Waste Materials: Learn more about the types of materials and their properties to improve your sorting system.

Key Technologies:

  • Color Sensors for detecting plastic, paper, or metal.
  • Infrared (IR) Sensors to detect the type of material (e.g., metal vs. plastic).
  • Servo Motors for sorting the waste into the correct bins.

What is a Smart Waste Sorting System?

A Smart Waste Sorting System is an automated machine that separates different types of waste into recyclable and non-recyclable materials. This system uses sensors to detect whether an item is made of plastic, metal, paper, or other materials. It can then direct the item to the correct recycling bin, making the process faster and more accurate. Automated waste sorting helps reduce contamination in recycling and encourages more efficient waste management.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Smart Waste Sorting System

Option 1: Building a 3D Simulation in CoSpaces

We’ll start by building a 3D virtual simulation of a waste sorting system using CoSpaces. This virtual model will show how smart technology can automatically separate waste into the correct categories.

Step 1: Set Up Your Project in CoSpaces

  1. Sign Up for CoSpaces at CoSpaces.io if you haven’t already.
  2. Create a New Space: Once logged in, click Create New Space to start building your Smart Waste Sorting System.

Step 2: Designing the Waste Sorting Machine

In this step, you will design the main machine that will sort the waste into different bins.

  1. Add a Conveyor Belt:
  • In the Library, find a conveyor belt object or build one using shapes like rectangles and cylinders.
  • This conveyor belt will carry the waste items to different sorting bins.
  1. Add Waste Bins:
  • Place three bins at the end of the conveyor belt for plastic, metal, and paper. Label them so users can see where the waste is sorted.
  1. Add Sensors:
  • Add sensors (like color detectors or infrared sensors) near the conveyor belt that will “scan” the waste as it passes by. These will detect the material of each item.

Step 3: Programming the Sorting System Using CoBlocks

Once the system is designed, it’s time to make it interactive using CoBlocks, CoSpaces’ drag-and-drop programming tool.

  1. Detect Waste Material:
  • Use CoBlocks to create an if-else condition that checks whether the item is plastic, metal, or paper.
  • Simulate different materials by giving each item a different color (e.g., red for plastic, blue for metal, and green for paper).
  1. Move Items to Correct Bins:
  • Program the system to move the items into the correct bins using a servo motor. For example, if the item is plastic (red), it should move into the plastic bin.

Here’s an example of how the CoBlocks logic might look:

Plaintext
When [green flag] clicked
    forever
        if [item color] = "red" then
            move item to [plastic bin]
        else if [item color] = "blue" then
            move item to [metal bin]
        else if [item color] = "green" then
            move item to [paper bin]

This code checks the color of the waste item and sorts it into the correct bin.

Step 4: Adding Interactivity and Realism

Make your waste sorting system even more interactive by adding realistic sounds and visuals.

  1. Add Sounds:
  • Add sound effects that simulate the noise of the conveyor belt or the items falling into the bins.
  1. Add Waste Items:
  • Add 3D objects (like cans, bottles, and paper) and assign them different colors to represent their materials.
  1. Simulate Waste Flow:
  • Use timers to release new waste items onto the conveyor belt at intervals, just like in a real waste sorting facility.

Option 2: Building a Waste Sorting System with Python and Sensors

If you want to create a code-based simulation or a real-life model using Python and sensors, follow these steps:

Step 1: Set Up Python and Install Required Libraries

  1. Install Python from Python.org.
  2. Install the necessary libraries:
  • pip install RPi.GPIO (for controlling the sensors and motors on Raspberry Pi).
  • pip install OpenCV (for more advanced object detection).

Step 2: Building the Sorting Logic in Python

In this step, you’ll use Python to program the sorting logic. The system will detect the type of waste (using sensors or images) and move it to the correct bin.

Plaintext
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

# Set up the GPIO pins for the sensors and motors
plastic_sensor = 18
metal_sensor = 23
paper_sensor = 24
motor_plastic = 17
motor_metal = 27
motor_paper = 22

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(plastic_sensor, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(metal_sensor, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(paper_sensor, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(motor_plastic, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(motor_metal, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(motor_paper, GPIO.OUT)

try:
    while True:
        if GPIO.input(plastic_sensor) == GPIO.HIGH:
            print("Plastic detected!")
            GPIO.output(motor_plastic, GPIO.HIGH)
            time.sleep(1)
            GPIO.output(motor_plastic, GPIO.LOW)
        elif GPIO.input(metal_sensor) == GPIO.HIGH:
            print("Metal detected!")
            GPIO.output(motor_metal, GPIO.HIGH)
            time.sleep(1)
            GPIO.output(motor_metal, GPIO.LOW)
        elif GPIO.input(paper_sensor) == GPIO.HIGH:
            print("Paper detected!")
            GPIO.output(motor_paper, GPIO.HIGH)
            time.sleep(1)
            GPIO.output(motor_paper, GPIO.LOW)
        time.sleep(0.1)
except KeyboardInterrupt:
    GPIO.cleanup()

This script controls the sensors to detect plastic, metal, or paper, and then moves the waste into the correct bin using motors.

Step 3: Testing the Waste Sorting System

Now it’s time to test your waste sorting system!

  1. Run your simulation (either in CoSpaces or Python).
  2. Place waste items (real or virtual) on the conveyor belt.
  3. Watch as the system automatically detects the material and sorts it into the correct bin.

Step 4: Expanding the Project

Here are some ways to make your Smart Waste Sorting System even more powerful:

1. Add More Types of Waste

  • Add additional bins for glass, compost, or electronic waste to make the system more comprehensive.

2. Use Image Recognition

  • Use OpenCV in Python to perform image recognition on waste items, detecting objects based on their shape and size in addition to color.

3. Create a Real-World Model

  • If you have access to an Arduino or Raspberry Pi, you can build a physical version of the waste sorting system using sensors and motors.

What’s Next?

Congratulations! You’ve built a Smart Waste Sorting System that uses sensors and programming to automatically sort waste into different

categories. This is an important step towards more efficient recycling and waste management, helping reduce pollution and create a more sustainable future.

Resources and Additional Help

That’s your high school Smart Waste Sorting System project—have fun automating waste management and contributing to a more sustainable world!

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STEM