Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Semester Fall 2023

CSE 3118
Microprocessors and Microcontroller Lab

Project Report

Project Name: ECODROP ( A REVERSE

VENDING MACHINE)
Submitted To
Lomat Haider Chowdhury

Mustofa Ahmed

Section: B (B1)
Submitted By

Namira Tasnim 20210204060

Tahsin Shuborna 20210204064

Azizul Hakim 20210204073

Bappy Nath Joy 20210204074

Project Overview:
A reverse vending machine (RVM) is a smart machine for plastic and metal waste
disposal systems which accepts plastic wastes (bottles) and metal (cans) for recycling. It
is designed to encourage recycling by providing incentives for returning empty beverage
containers. The reverse vending machine is equipped with a proximity sensor to
distinguish between different kinds of bottles.This invention relates in general to waste
management and recycling the plastic and metal waste (bottles) in the environment. The
littering of plastic wastes in the environment and less willingness to recycle the plastic
presents a continuing problem to the environment and to all living beings.

Social & Economic Benefits:

The designed Reverse Vending Machine EcoDrop can be a potential solution to
minimize the plastic waste and improve the plastic waste management and recycling
system. Here are some potential social values attributed to Reverse Vending Machine:

⮚ To the Environment : This will help the environment as one of its major
problems is the rate of plastic waste used by humanity and this study is a big
help for the environment as plastic waste is not soluble in water .

⮚ To the Community: This initiative will help the community reduce the
negative environmental impacts caused by the excessive amount of plastic
waste. It will enhance the effectiveness of waste segregation and recycling in
addressing waste-related environmental problems, ultimately leading to better
control over waste collection in the community.

⮚ To the Researchers: This will engage their intellectual creativity in designing

machines and enhance their knowledge, allowing them to apply the acquired
learning and information from this study in the future or even in their daily
lives.

⮚ To the Economy: By diverting beverage containers from landfills or

incineration facilities , RVM helps to save on waste management costs.
Landfill space is conserved and the costs associated with waste collection,
transportation and disposal are reduced.
Tools And Machines:

These following parts and tools have been used for building this project:

● Arduino Mega

● Buzzer

● Proximity Sensor

● Ultrasonic Sensor

● Micro-servo Motor

● LED

● LCD

● Breadboard

● Potentiometer

● Jumper wires

Apps and Platforms:

● Arduino IDE

Working Procedure:
A Reverse Vending Machine is a device that accepts used beverage containers (the
reverse of the typical vending cycle). The machines are popular in places that have
mandatory recycling laws or container deposit legislation. The basic operations involve
steps where the recycler places the empty bottle/can into the receiving aperture; the
horizontal in-feed system allows the user to insert containers one at a time. The
bottle/can is then automatically scanned with the help of the sensors.
The system workflow of the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) is:
Step 1: Power On and Initial Setup

● Power on the Arduino Mega.

● The LCD will display a message like “Please Use Me”.
● The system will be in standby mode, waiting for a bottle to be placed near the
proximity sensor.
Step 2: Detecting the Bottle

● Proximity Sensor & Ultrasonic Sensor: The proximity sensor and ultrasonic
sensor will continuously check for the presence of an object (bottle/can) placed
near the machine. If both the proximity sensor and ultrasonic sensor detect an
object, the metal detection part will open. If the proximity sensor does not detect
an object but the ultrasonic sensor does, the plastic detection part will open.
o Once the sensor detects the object, it sends a signal to the Arduino Mega.
o The Arduino Mega will trigger the next step of measuring the object.

Step 3: Feedback to User

● If the object is accepted:

o The buzzer will briefly beep as confirmation.
o The LCD will display a message such as “Metal Detected” or “Plastic
Detected”.
o The servo motor will rotate, opening a small gate, allowing the bottle to fall
into a collection bin.
o The LED will turn on the metal side or plastic side gate to indicate that the
bottle has been accepted.

Step 4: Resetting the Machine

● After the object is detected, the machine will reset itself to standby mode, showing
“Please Use Me” on the LCD screen again, ready for the next item.

All components (Arduino Mega, sensors, LED, buzzer, and Wi-Fi module) will be
powered by the Arduino through a connected power source.
Flow Diagram Of The System:
Estimated Budget (Final):

Equipment Quantity Budget(Tk)

Arduino Mega 1 1895

1
Ultrasonic Sensor 93
485
Proximity Sensor 1

Potentiometer 1 24

Buzzer 20
1

Micro-servo motor 3 447

LED 2 40

LCD 1 350

Breadboard 1 100

As 200
Jumper wires
Required

Total 3949
----------------
Multidisciplinary Contribution:

● UX Design - Focus on creating a seamless and impressive experience for users

interacting with the machine.
● Environmental Science - Impact of the machine on recycling materials that bring
the overall environmental benefits.
● Industrial Design - Focus on the user experience and aesthetics of the machine
which can encourage more people to use it.
● Business & Marketing - We can analyze market trends, identify potential users,
and develop strategies to promote the use of reverse vending machines.
● Electrical Engineering - Sensors for item detection, motors for moving parts,
control systems for sorting, and power management systems.
● Safety & Regulation - Ensure that the machine supports relevant standards and
regulations for electrical safety, environmental protection, and user health.

Multiple Stakeholders:

● Technology Providers
● Consumers
● Retailers
● Investors
● Environmental organizations
● Maintenance

Safety Norms:

● Electrical Safety - Ensure all electrical components are properly insulated

and grounded to prevent electric shocks.
● Material Safety - Use materials that are free from harmful chemicals and
toxins.
● User Safety - Ensure the machine is user-friendly and accessible, with no
sharp edges or pinch points. and contains safety warnings.
● Fire Safety - Use fire-resistant materials.
● Nature Safety - Use eco-friendly materials and ensure that the machine can
recycle materials without causing pollution.
● Testing - Follow testing protocols.
Challenges of the project:

1. Sensor Calibration and Accuracy

● Ensuring the correct calibration of the sensors to accurately detect different

objects (plastic or metal bottles) can be tricky. Incorrect calibration might result in
false detections, misclassifications, or failure to detect objects altogether.

2. Power Management

● Running multiple components (sensors, Arduino, LCD, etc.) on a breadboard

setup may cause power issues. Voltage regulation and distribution across
components must be properly managed to avoid system failures.

3. Limited Object Identification

● Since your system relies on proximity and ultrasonic sensors, it might not
differentiate well between different types of recyclable items beyond basic
material classification. More complex systems for better identification would be
more accurate but add significant complexity.

4. Coding & Integration

● Correctly writing the code to handle multiple sensors, trigger actions (like
opening/closing gates with the servo motor), and manage user feedback through
the LCD will require careful coding and debugging.
● Integrating all the components (sensors, motors, Wi-Fi module) in the Arduino’s
limited memory and processing power without running into timing or resource
conflicts was challenging.

5. System Overload

● Handling multiple objects being placed into the system at the same time or quickly
in succession could lead to system overload if the sensors and motors aren’t able
to process them fast enough.
● Managing the queue of actions (detect, identify, move objects, display feedback)
without crashing the system is a key challenge.

6. Cost Management

● Adding additional features like more advanced sensors, stronger motors, or robust
communication systems might increase the cost of the project. Balancing
functionality and budget will be an important challenge.
● The complexity of adding backup power supplies to make the machine more
durable can also raise project costs.
Conclusion:

Finally, EcoDrop, designed using Arduino Mega, Buzzer, Proximity Sensor,

Ultrasonic Sensor, Micro-servo Motor, LED, LCD, Breadboard, Potentiometer,
Jumper wires, and a Wi-Fi Module, provides an innovative and automated solution for
promoting waste recycling in communities. The machine successfully detects recyclable
objects such as plastic and metal containers, classifies them, and automates the sorting
process.
This project demonstrates how embedded systems, sensors, and basic components can
be utilized to build a functional and environmentally beneficial system. However, future
improvements could involve advanced object recognition technologies for better
accuracy, increasing the machine’s capacity for real-world implementation, and
improving mechanical durability.
In conclusion, this reverse vending machine offers a practical approach to recycling
management, contributing to waste reduction efforts and environmental sustainability.