Recycling Management System Resource Allocation Model

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The waste management industry lacks modern information technology tools for efficiently managing recycling activities, limiting municipalities' ability to promote recycling, design effective strategies, and measure performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for managing recycling entities by obtaining entity and resource data, applying it to a model to determine resource allocation, and generating reports for resource allocation and performance tracking, which includes providing financial incentives, data acquisition, tracking, and analysis to enhance recycling participation and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If modern information technology tools are adopted for managing recycling activities, then recycling program efficiency and performance measurement improve, but implementation costs and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling program efficiencyVSAvoidinformation technology system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments recycling management into distinct functional modules: entity data collection, resource data collection, model application for allocation determination, and report generation. This modular segmentation allows the complex IT system to be implemented incrementally and managed through standardized interfaces between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized management system acts as an intermediary between recycling entities and municipalities, automatically collecting data, applying allocation models, and generating reports. This intermediary layer simplifies the interaction between multiple stakeholders and reduces the complexity of manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual labor is used for separating recyclable material, then operational flexibility is maintained, but labor costs and sorting time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsorting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting operations with automated separation systems that use sensors, conveyors, and sorting mechanisms. This substitution dramatically reduces sorting time and labor requirements while maintaining the flexibility to handle diverse recyclable materials through programmable control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If commingled recyclable material is collected, then collection costs are reduced, but separation and processing complexity at processing centers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection cost efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing center complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting recyclable materials in commingled form from multiple sources, then uses automated separation technology at processing centers to sort the materials before processing. This preliminary collection approach reduces collection costs while the automated separation handles the subsequent complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Automated separation systems using sensors, conveyors, and control mechanisms replace manual sorting operations at processing centers, enabling efficient handling of commingled materials without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If detailed data collection and analysis systems are implemented, then strategy design and performance measurement improve, but data management complexity and initial costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data management system is segmented into dedicated modules for collecting entity data, collecting resource data, storing data in databases, and generating analytical reports. This segmentation allows precise performance measurement while managing complexity through standardized data handling procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by collecting performance data, analyzing it against recycling strategies, and generating reports that inform future decision-making. This feedback loop enables continuous improvement of recycling programs while the automated data processing manages the complexity of detailed analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10185922B2Methods and system for managing recycling of recyclable material

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 RECYCLEBANK LLC

AI summary

A method and system for managing a recycling entity is included. The method includes obtaining entity data associated with at least one entity. The at least one entity is operable to recycle a quantifiable measure of recyclable material. The method also includes obtaining resource data associated with resources associated with carrying out recycling, applying the entity data and the resource data to a model for determining an allocation of the resources so as to form at least one record, and generating, as a function of the at least one record, reports for allocating the resources.