Innovative technologies in plastic waste management in educational institutions

Abstract

 One of the pressing global problems in recent years is environmental pollution and inefficient waste management. In this regard, smart bins with automatic waste separation are increasingly being created and introduced, which facilitate recycling and reduce the burden on the environment. The introduction of such bins and simple devices for recycling plastic in educational institutions will not only ensure cleanliness and reduce the amount of waste but will also contribute to the formation of environmental awareness in the younger generation, nurturing in them a sense of responsibility for the environment. The aim of this research is to develop, within the framework of a student startup, and experimentally test smart waste bins with automatic separation of plastic waste and a device for recycling it for secondary use for educational purposes without transportation and additional costs. Based on modern IoT and AI technologies, a smart waste bin with automatic waste separation and a device for recycling collected plastic and creating threads for a 3D printer were developed, implemented in an educational institution, and experimentally tested. Their influence on the formation of environmental awareness among students was confirmed during a survey conducted among students of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Kazakhstan).