ABSTRACT

Plastics have multiple applications in disposable products, high-end technology parts, etc., owing to their functionality and manufacturing flexibility. However, their increased use has increased the global proportion of plastic wastes, which creates a serious environmental issue, thereby, creating a demand for plastic waste management techniques. Improving the efficiency of resource recovery by appropriate sorting and collection systems is necessary for successful plastic recycling. Therefore, this study proposed a three-step optimization process of a reverse vending machine (RVM), a small automatic recyclable waste sorter/collector system, for acquiring an optimal design and enhanced efficiency. The RVM system categorized recyclable wastes as plastics, glass, and cans using barcode, vision, and near infrared sensors. The average sorting efficiency of the designed RVM system was 94%, 95% for polyethylene terephthalate, and 98% for glass bottles. Therefore, the RVM system, with the average sorting efficiency of 95%, is suitable for application in on-site sorting in small-sized areas, such as convenience stores, which generate wastes on a small scale.

Implications: This study proposed a three-step optimization process of a reverse vending machine (RVM), a small automatic recyclable waste sorter/collector system, for acquiring an optimal design and enhanced efficiency. The RVM system is suitable for application in on-site sorting in small-sized areas, such as convenience stores, which generate wastes on a small scale.

摘要

由于其功能性和制造灵活性，塑料在一次性产品、高端技术部件等方面具有多种应用。然而，它们的使用增加增加了塑料废物的全球比例，这造成了严重的环境问题，从而产生了对塑料废物管理技术的需求。通过适当的分类和收集系统提高资源回收效率是成功回收塑料的必要条件。因此，本研究提出了反向自动售货机 (RVM) 的三步优化过程，这是一种小型自动可回收垃圾分类器/收集器系统，以获得最佳设计和提高效率。RVM 系统使用条形码、视觉和近红外传感器将可回收废物分类为塑料、玻璃和罐。所设计的 RVM 系统的平均分选效率为 94%，聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯为 95%，玻璃瓶为 98%。因此，RVM系统平均分拣效率为95%，适用于便利店等小规模区域的现场分拣，产生小规模垃圾。

启示: 本研究提出了反向自动售货机 (RVM) 的三步优化过程，这是一种小型自动可回收垃圾分类器/收集器系统，以获得最佳设计和提高效率。RVM系统适用于小规模区域的现场分拣，如便利店，产生小规模垃圾。