Mr BIN

What it does

A contactless smart dustbin that improves hygiene. It alerts janitors when full, prevents overflows, odours, and pests. A sealed, touch-free design with a unique lid avoids germ dispersion. Built-in sensors collect data for insightful foot traffic analysis.

Your inspiration

During the course of history, dustbins have remained largely the same — passive containers holding trash. Found in nearly every corner of public and private spaces, they are essential but often overlooked. We were inspired to rethink this everyday object during the pandemic, when hygiene and automation became top priorities. Overflowing bins, foul smells, dispersion of germs through flip dustbins, and pest issues signalled a need for smarter solutions. With Mr BIN, we aimed to not only improve sanitation and user experience but also unlock the potential of waste data as a tool for smarter facility management and operational efficiency.

How it works

Our design is a contactless smart dustbin integrated with an IoT system. We use an innovative iris mechanism for the lid. When the Time-of-Flight (ToF) distance sensor detects rubbish approaching, it activates a DC motor via an ESP32 microcontroller to automatically open and close the lid, enhancing hygiene by reducing the need for physical contact. Additionally, another distance sensor is installed at the bottom of the lid to measure the trash level in real-time; as rubbish accumulates, the remaining capacity decreases. The ESP32 transmits this data to an IoT dashboard via Wi-Fi, allowing for continuous monitoring from any location. When the bin is full, a notification is automatically sent to a cleaner, improving waste collection efficiency and ensuring timely maintenance. This smart system supports better public cleanliness, reduces labour cost, minimises overflow risk, and builds a smarter, greener and more sustainable urban environment.

Design process

We designed a contactless, germ-control smart dustbin that monitors its capacity and enhances waste collection efficiency through IoT. Our research revealed that common lid designs are unhygienic, as they generate airflow that pushes germs toward users or allows pests to enter. We chose an innovative iris mechanism, which opens and closes horizontally, preventing outward airflow and pest intrusion. To validate this, we conducted a glitter test to simulate germs: flip lids created strong upward airflow that blew glitter toward users, while the iris design kept glitter contained inside, proving its hygiene advantage. In our first prototype, we used cardboard and 3D-printed parts with an IR sensor and Arduino Uno. The iris concept worked, but needed precise alignment, and the IR sensor caused false triggers. In the second prototype, we upgraded to an ESP32 for Wi-Fi, used a Time-of-Flight sensor for better accuracy, and achieved more reliable motor control with reduced false triggering. The third prototype refined the iris motion, improved motor efficiency, and introduced an enhanced IoT dashboard with real-time monitoring, data tracking, and full remote notification capabilities, greatly boosting management efficiency and overall user safety.

How it is different

We have two unique points. Our Iris shutter mechanism drastically reduces germ spreading, leading to reduced pathogen transmission to the users. We achieve this without removing the lid, while containing the smell at the same time. This can significantly reduce the risk of disease spreading. With capacity tracking, we provide notification services, eliminating the need to empty bins when they are not full. In turn, this reduces plastic bag usage and inefficient janitorial management. Furthermore, we turn the bin usage data into foot traffic data that can be used by the management to plan events, strategically locate advertisements, and place more bins if required. This applies to government-managed spaces as well, providing foot traffic data that is difficult to collect in crowded spaces.

Future plans

We are improving the IoT systems and reliability to get to the production level. Product-wise, we aim to team up with a lab at our university to implement a UV lamp to disinfect the outer surface for further hygiene, and to make our Iris shutter mechanism airtight for hospital use. For market implementation, our next milestone is to test our bins at shopping malls, where IoT systems are easier to maintain. After rigorous testing, we aim to place our bins on public streets and housing areas. Our main clientele would be existing waste management companies with the logistics and infrastructure. Mr BIN can be a new way for them to increase sales.

Awards

- Engineering and Innovative Design competition 2025, Nanyang Technological University: 2nd place in the Innovation and Design category. - Growing Entrepreneurial Talents (GET) innovation grant, Nanyang Technological University: Approached by the facilitator to apply for the grant and currently receiving continuous advice.