MOHAMAD DANISH BIN MOHD AFFANDI Politeknik Merlimau Melaka
A significant challenge in campus recycling is low engagement due to the absence of incentives and inadequate infrastructure. This project presents a Solar Powered Bottle Recycler Machine with a Digital Reward System designed to address this issue. The machine operates autonomously on a 12V DC solar power system – comprising photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and a charge controller – and is managed by a microcontroller-based control unit. Plastic bottles deposited by users are detected by integrated sensors, ensuring only suitable bottles enter the processing mechanism. For each bottle recycled, the user receives credit points loaded onto their Barcode via app in the machine’s embedded barcode scanner. The development methodology includes mechanical design of the compact recycling structure, design of the power management electronics, and programming of the microcontroller for bottle detection and reward point allocation. The expected outcomes include efficient, high-throughput recycling and reliable autonomous operation powered entirely by solar energy, which will encourage increased participation in recycling activities. This solution serves as a catalyst for campus sustainability efforts by effectively reducing plastic waste, while also instilling a culture of environmental responsibility among campus residents thru an innovative approach based on rewards and incentives