Method and apparatus for organic waste collection in multi-unit residential buildings
AssigneePlastics Solutions Canada Inc.
InventorsEric Mallett, Philip D. Ragan, Richard M. Freeman, Geoffrey B. Woolley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Effective systems for separating, collecting and transferring organic waste from multi-unit residential buildings to deliver to composting centres are described which facilitate the reduction of contamination of the organic waste with non-compostable plastic bags. This is accomplished both by ensuring that the residents are constantly provided with compostable replacement bags for their kitchen caddies after each delivery of a bag by the resident to the recycling room, and through consistent marking that reminds residents of the system's requirements.
Claims23
A method of collecting and transferring organic waste from residential units of a multi-unit residential building to deliver to composting centres which facilitates the reduction of contamination of the organic waste with non-compostable plastic bags, said building having one or more common recycling areas where waste material is separated and collected for recycling prior to moving outside said building for collection, said method comprising:
- i) providing a first container sized and adapted to be stored in a residential unit of said building for receiving a compostable bag for receiving organic waste;
- ii) providing a second container located in said one or more common recycling areas provided with a compostable bag adapted to receive compostable bags from said first container;
- iii) providing, proximate to said second container, a bag dispenser for dispensing compostable bags for said first container;
- iv) monitoring said dispenser to provide replacement compostable bags for said dispenser in advance of exhausting of said compostable bags from said dispenser;
- whereby each resident who deposits a bag of organic waste from said first container into said second container is provided with an empty compostable bag from said dispenser to replace the bag thereby deposited, thereby ensuring that the residents are constantly provided with compostable replacement bags for their first containers after each delivery of a bag by the resident to the recycling area.
A system for collecting and transferring organic waste from residential units of a multi-unit residential building to deliver to composting centres which facilitates the reduction of contamination of the organic waste with non-compostable plastic bags by ensuring that the residents are constantly provided with compostable replacement bags for their in-residence receptacles after each delivery of a bag by the resident to a recycling area, said building having one or more common recycling areas where waste material is separated and collected for recycling prior to moving outside said building for collection, said system comprising:
- i) a plurality of first containers each sized and adapted to be stored in a residential unit of said building for receiving a compostable bag for receiving organic waste;
- ii) a second container located in said one or more recycling areas provided with a compostable bag adapted to receive compostable bags from said first container;
- iii) proximate to said second container, a bag dispenser for dispensing compostable bags for said first container;
- iv) a plurality of replacement compostable bags for dispensing from said dispenser;
- v) a plurality of compostable bags sized to be received in said second container for receiving compostable bags from said first container;
- whereby said bag dispenser is provided with an indicator or signal to alert a system operator that replacement of bags in said dispenser is necessary, whereby each said resident who deposits a bag of organic waste from said first container into said second container is provided with an empty compostable bag from said dispenser to replace the bag thereby deposited.
A system for collecting and transferring organic waste from residential units of a multi-unit residential building to deliver to composting centres which facilitates the reduction of contamination of the organic waste with non-compostable plastic bags by ensuring that the residents are constantly provided with compostable replacement bags for their in-residence receptacles after each delivery of a bag by the resident to a recycling area, said building having one or more common recycling areas where waste material is separated and collected for recycling prior to moving outside said building for collection, said system comprising:
- i) a plurality of first containers each sized and adapted to be stored in a residential unit of said building for receiving a compostable bag for receiving organic waste;
- ii) a second container located in said one or more recycling areas provided with a compostable bag adapted to receive compostable bags from said first container;
- iii) proximate to said second container, a bag dispenser for dispensing compostable bags for said first container;
- iv) a plurality of replacement compostable bags for dispensing from said dispenser;
- v) a plurality of compostable bags sized to be received in said second container for receiving compostable bags from said first container;
- whereby said bag dispenser is provided with an indicator or signal to alert a system operator that replacement of bags in said dispenser is necessary, whereby each said resident who deposits a bag of organic waste from said first container into said second container is provided with an empty compostable bag from said dispenser to replace the bag thereby deposited.
A bag dispenser for dispensing bags for collecting and transferring organic waste from a facility to deliver to composting centres which facilitates the reduction of contamination of the organic waste with non-compostable plastic bags by ensuring that users are constantly provided with compostable replacement bags, said container comprising:
- i) a hollow container comprising a plurality of compartments each sized and adapted to receive a roll of compostable bags for receiving organic waste;
- ii) said container provided with a plurality of slots, each associated with one of said compartments and sized to permit the end of a roll of compostable bags to extend therethrough;
- whereby said bag dispenser is provided with a plurality of unique indicators, each associated with one of said compartments to indicate the size of bag dispensed from said one of said compartments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.