Waste bins are placed at vantage points in communities to prevent public littering

Though there have been several innovations to the waste disposal material, persons with disability and children sometimes find them inaccessible.

In an era where the bins have become integral in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School have designed a ''touchless bin'' to tackle the situation.

The child and disable friendly bin, automatically opens and closes due to the in-built ultrasonic sensor.

The prototype plastic waste bin is powered by battery or electricity.

The creation of the touchless bin by the Obuasi Senior High Technical School robotics club, is to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19.

"When someone approaches the dustbin, the lid automatically opens and when the person moves back it closes automatically.

"We have realized that people litter the environment due to the dirty nature of dustbins.

"We came up with this innovation because COVID-19 is a transmitting virus. The bin is also child and disable friendly.

''The bin consists of a waterproof ultrasonic sensor, an adrino board and a motor driver,” Moses Adjei, a member of the club said. 

According to the robotics club, the bin which is water proof can be used at the markets, workplaces, churches and schools.

"The COVID-19 prevention touchless dustbins can be used in offices, banks, schools, churches etc." Vivian Osei, another member said.

The team hinted of plans to add a solar panel to make the bin accessible to people living in communities without electricity.

The team of teachers led by Solomon Nchor says the project needs more funding to begin commercial production.

"This is a prototype dustbin we have made and it uses batteries or electricity but we plan to add solar panels, so that it can be used at places where there is no electricity or batteries.

"We also plan to make it in sizes so that people who want to buy them can buy.

"We will try to make them as many as possible for the general public if anyone is ready to support us,” he noted  

Headmaster of the school, Ernest Wiafe, is confident the robotics club will come up with more innovations.

''I hope and believe it will not be the last. Necessity is the mother of invention.

"So, as we progress in life and we face challenges I believe the team will come up with more innovations," he said.