Method and system for collecting recyclable waste

• US 20040167799A1
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Complete Packaging Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Complete Packaging Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Berry, Matthew P.
• Application Number:
  US10/789,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167799A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/0006 Flexible refuse receptables, e.g. bags, sacks
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1123 Bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1125 Colors
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1126 Symbols
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0609 by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation

Abstract

A method for billing a customer for waste collection. The method includes the step of identifying an amount of recyclable waste. The method also includes the step of determining a credit amount based on the amount of recyclable waste. The method further includes the step of reporting the credit amount to the customer. A container for use in a recycling system is also described. The container includes a structure for containing recyclable waste; and an indicia disposed on the structure. The indicia identifies the value of the recyclable waste contained by the structure.

Claims

1. A method for billing a customer for waste collection, comprising:

identifying an amount of recyclable waste;

determining a credit amount based on the amount of recyclable waste; and

reporting the credit amount to the customer.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of identifying includes identifying a weight.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of identifying is performed based on an indicia on a container.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the indicia represents an approximate weight of the contents of the container.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the indicia identifies the recyclable material in the container.

6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the indicia identifies an approximate value of the contents of the container.

7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

identifying an amount of non-recyclable waste;

determining a charge amount based on the amount of non-recyclable waste; and

reporting the charge amount to the customer.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the step of identifying an amount of non-recyclable waste includes identifying a weight.

9. A method according to claim 7 wherein the step of reporting includes reporting an aggregate of the charge amount and the credit amount.

10. A container for use in a recycling system, comprising:

a structure for containing recyclable waste; and

indicia disposed on the structure, the indicia identifying the value of the recyclable waste contained by the structure.

11. The container according to claim 10 wherein the indicia identifies the value by identifying a material type and a weight.

12. The container according to claim 10 wherein the indicia is a color.

15. The container according to claim 10 wherein the structure comprises the same class of material as the recyclable waste.

13. The container according to 10 wherein the indicia is a sticker applied to an outer surface of the structure.

14. The container according to 10 wherein the indicia is a symbol printed on an outer surface of the structure.

16. An apparatus for billing a consumer for trash collection, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;

the processor operative with the program in the memory to;

receive a first amount representing an amount of trash identified as non-recyclable;

receive a second amount representing an amount of trash identified as recyclable;

apply a charge based on the first amount;

apply a credit based on the second amount; and

report the charge and credit to the customer for payment or credit.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the first amount is a weight.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the second amount is a weight.

19. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the second amount is determined based on an indicia on a container.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the indicia identifies the recyclable material in the container.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the indicia identifies an approximate value of the contents of the container.

22. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the step of reporting includes reporting an aggregate of the charge and the credit.

23. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing method for billing a consumer for trash collection, the processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of:

determining a first amount representing an amount of trash identified as non-recyclable;

determining a second amount representing an amount of trash identified as recyclable;

applying a charge based on the first amount;

applying a credit based on the second amount; and

reporting the charge and credit to the customer for payment or credit.