Recycling system with discrete conveyor bins for improved accuracy

A method comprising:

• capturing an image of a batch of objects within a respective bin of a plurality of bins of a conveyor system, each of the plurality of bins comprising an enclosure formed from a pair of axially-spaced raised cleats and a pair of raised side rails;
• detecting and identifying the objects within the image as belonging to one or more object classes;
• determining whether each object within the batch is a redeemable object or an unredeemable object based on the identified object classes of the object;
• and
• counting the redeemable objects within the batch.

A recycling system comprising:

• a cleated conveyor system configured to move a plurality of bins from a first end of the conveyor system to a second end of the conveyor system, wherein each bin is formed by one or more respective cleats of the conveyor system and a pair of adjacent side rails;
• a camera situated and configured to capture an image of a plurality of beverage containers within the bins of the conveyor system;
• and
• a processor including computer-readable instructions, wherein by executing the instructions, the processor is configured to:
• detect and identify the beverage containers within an image captured by the camera as belonging to one or more object classes, wherein the object classes determine whether an object is redeemable or unredeemable;
• detect and identify within the image captured by the camera the respective cleats of the conveyor system forming a first bin;
• and
• provide an aggregate count of only those objects within the first bin and identified as redeemable.