The city government of Baguio will be using a local invention on solid waste management to avoid overflowing garbage bins particularly during the Panagbenga activities next month.
The project, called Smart Garbage Bins, was developed by Computer Engineering students Kyle Rusell Lucero, Aryk John Mosquete, and Samuel Sta. Cruz of the University of the Cordilleras in an aim to provide a revolutionary solution to overflowing trash bins using advanced technology.
A finished project was presented to Mayor Benjamin Magalong during his management committee meeting with city executives on Jan. 9.
A pilot test of the invention was conducted at Rose Garden back in July 2023 wherein additional features were introduced such as the water proofing and motion sensor that detects when an individual stands in front of the bin to place trash.
Another feature of the Smart Garbage Bins is it promotes proper waste segregation since it automatically detects the type of trash and that the bin will not open for mix waste.
The bins are equipped with solar-powered electrical wirings that monitor fill level ensuring timely collection and reducing the burden of manual surveillance.
The smart bins will be featured as “Baraki” or Basurahang Taraki to be strategically placed in public parks and places.
The city government will be ordering 16 units of Baraki by the third week of February.
Volumes of waste to be accumulated will be sent to the Smart City Command Center of the city government for data processing and analytics in the hopes of giving insight to city planners in policy-making and decision-making. – Jessa Mardy P. Samidan
