Food Waste Estimation Using Received Signal Strength Indicator

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel RF-based method to estimate food waste in trash bins by analyzing signal attenuation, offering a potentially cost-effective alternative to manual waste sorting at institutional settings.

Contribution

The paper presents a new approach using RSSI measurements to estimate food waste weight, reducing reliance on manual sorting and weighing.

Findings

RSSI correlates with food waste amount

Promising initial testing results

Potential for cost-effective waste monitoring

Abstract

Food loss and waste is a problem with rising global recognition. Attempts to combat food waste at institutional levels such as college campus dining halls require insight into food waste statistics to evaluate efforts to reduce food waste. Gathering such data is currently costly, requiring manual sorting and weighing of trash bin contents. We propose an alternate method of estimating the food waste in trash bins using a radio frequency (RF) transceiver received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to estimate the attenuation caused by the trash contents. We propose food attenuates the radio frequency signal at greater rates than the paper and plastic trash present, allowing us to correlate and estimate the amount (weight) of food waste present with the observed RSSI values. We witness promising results while testing this approach.