Trash or recycling

Raleigh Wastes no Time on Waste Solutions

What if your trash could teach you something? 

A new kind of recycling bin is doing exactly that in Raleigh. The MyMatR unit may look like a regular waste container, but it’s designed to do much more than collect garbage. These smart bins give you instant feedback on whether you’ve placed your item in the right slot (trash or recycle) and then sort the item correctly behind the scenes.

Each unit also gathers useful information about what is being discarded, how often, and where. This data will be used to improve the efficiency of waste pickup, and inform future curriculum around best waste practices according to items that are frequently mis-recycled.

MyMatR Bin

The City deployed two units as part of a Smart Raleigh pilot project.  One unit is at Barwell Community Center and another at Raleigh Founded, North Street. “The goal is to test the use of these devices to better sort waste and recyclable materials,” according to John Holden, Smart City Manager. The pilot project will collect data on use, recycling and waste flow for consideration of future use of the units. 

These self-sorting bins are part of a broader effort to deepen public understanding of environmental impact and help residents take small actions that make a big difference.

Next time you spot a smart bin around town, take a second to test your sorting skills!

Want to learn from home? Download the Raleigh Reuse App to set recycling reminders, look up disposal instructions, and find nearby donation and reuse options.

Contact

 

John Holden
Smart City Manager
john.holden@raleighnc.gov 

Lead Department:
Strategy and Innovation
Service Categories:
Smart Raleigh

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