01
Overview
SmarTrash was my entry for IgniteSTEM 2024 and won first place at Princeton IgniteSTEM's Urban Utopia competition. It is a trash can that composts the food waste placed in it and sends the compost through underground pipes into the soil.
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No. 04 · Competition project · Environmental sustainability
SmarTrash
From Trash to Trees
A smart trash can that composts food waste on the spot and sends it underground to feed city soil, turning urban trash into green space. Won first place at Princeton IgniteSTEM's Urban Utopia competition.
1st place · Princeton IgniteSTEM Urban Utopia
◇ SmarTrash hero image
- Sustainability
- Urban design
- Green infrastructure
- Pitching
02
Why I chose this
Urban areas face excess pollution and a lack of management for regional gardening. Compost is important for growing plants, but food waste in cities often isn't put to use. That leads to a lack of green environment, less oxygen production (and so more pollution and worse health), a decline in mental health, and greenhouse gas emissions.
03
The solution
SmarTrash: from trash to trees. Food waste goes into the bin, a grinder makes the compost, and a pipe connects to the ground to support the soil. A digital infographic screen shows people how they are contributing, such as how many pounds of compost have been made.
◇ Diagram — SmarTrash
◇ Infographic screen
04
Where it works & incentives
SmarTrash is aimed at urban environments that lack green areas. The incentive is federal: tax-free exemptions backed by the Environmental Protection Agency would encourage corporations to place SmarTrash cans in front of their buildings.
05
Limitations & possible solutions
- Financial support: government funding is necessary for wide-scale results. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could incentivize companies to support it through tax exemptions.
- Will people follow the system or keep littering? The digital infographic and the incentive give people a reason to participate.
◇ Presentation slide