Solid Waste Eliminator, Educator and Processor of Eco-Friendly Resources (S.W.E.E.P.E.R.)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

One of the most dominant issues that the world faces today which requires utmost attention is solid waste management (United Nations Environment Programme, 2009). Wastes comprising of plastics and food wastes that can be generated from schools, households, and communities are harmful to the environment if not carefully managed. Thus, reducing, managing and recycling solid wastes are significant to the health of the environment. This research study aimed to construct a robotic prototype machine that functioned as a small-scale Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which reduced and managed common plastic and food wastes in the Cavite National Science High School (CNSHS), and recycle them into eco-friendly resources. Moreover, it was designed to harness and utilize energy from the sun and the wind.

METHODS

The robotic prototype machine was constructed using LEGO® Mindstorms™ NXT Education Base Set #9797 and recycled materials, and it was programmed using LEGO® Mindstorms™ Education NXT software version 2.1.

RESULTS

Results on the overall performance of SWEEPER showed that it has a total of 88% success rate in its processes from start to finish. It showed that SWEEPER is accurate in conducting the pyrolysis of plastic wastes, making of CO2 absorbing concrete char blocks, and harnessing and utilizing solar and wind energy with a total success rate of 94%. It also showed that it is not accurate in performing anaerobic digestion of food wastes due to the total accuracy rate of 50%. Moreover, the 12% failure is caused by the open spaces on the sides of the cover of the autoclave that causes the air to enter. Since airhas entered the autoclave, oxidation of the plastic wastes took place which caused the pyrolysis to fail; by the open spaces on the cover of the anaerobic digester, the methane-producing microorganisms have been affected because they live without oxygen; and caused by the position of the mixer and the conveyor.

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrate some minor problems in the non-biodegradable section caused by the open spaces on the sides of the cover of the autoclave that causes the air to enter, in the biodegradable section caused by the open spaces on the cover of the anaerobic digester which allowed the entry of air inside, and in the block section caused by the position of the mixer and the conveyor. These minor problems are the root cause of the malfunctioning of SWEEPER.