Fresh Box Incentive Recycling Bin

This project is a fun and smart recycling bin that helps people learn how to recycle Tetra Pak drink cartons (like juice boxes).

When you put a flattened carton into the bin, a light turns on. After doing it five times, the bin gives you a HI-CHEW candy as a reward!

Cardboard(for the outer shell/bin)

Glue (for assembly)

Paints or stickers (for decoration and labeling)

LED lights

servo motor

Microcontroller (e.g., Arduino Uno or similar board)

Breadboard and jumper wires (for wiring the components)

Battery pack or USB power supply

HI-CHEW candies (or other small wrapped candies)

Scissors or box cutter

Hot glue gun or tape

Use cardboard, plastic, or wood to create a box with an opening at the top.

Make a small door or flap to add or refill the candy inside.

Decorate the bin to make it fun and colorful!

Attach the Ultrasonic Sensor inside the bin where it can detect when a carton is dropped in.

Connect 5 LED lights in a row on the outside of the bin.

Attach a Servo Motor to a small candy holder or door that can release one candy.

Connect everything to an Arduino (or other microcontroller) using jumper wires and a breadboard.

Program the Arduino to:

Turn on one LED each time the sensor detects a carton.

Show a message or play a sound (optional).

1. After 5 detections, turn on all LEDs and activate the servo motor to drop one candy.

Reset the LED counter after the candy drops.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NBHB6IJ_yN7ESyZn9KN4lUDaY-dicYCXOt8CyOokbzw/edit?usp=sharing

Carton Detection – Ultrasonic Sensor (e.g., HC-SR04)

Ultrasonic Pin Arduino Pin

VCC -------------5V

GND -------------GND

Trig --------------7

Echo ------------6

💡 LED Indicators (5 LEDs)

LED Number Arduino Pin

LED 1----------- 3

LED 2----------- 4

LED 3----------- 2

LED 4----------- 5

LED 5----------- 8

🔧 Each LED should be connected in series with a 220Ω resistor to protect the LED.

🍬 Candy Dispenser – Servo Motor

Servo Pin Arduino Pin

VCC ----------5V

GND ---------GND

Signal -------10

Place a flattened Tetra Pak carton into the bin.

Make sure the sensor detects it and lights up one LED.

Try five times — the candy should drop!

Adjust the sensor or code if it doesn't work properly.

Invite friends or classmates to try it out.

Watch them get excited about recycling and earning a candy!

Refill the candy as needed and keep helping the planet.