Development of wifi-vending machine that accept bottles and can/ Jude Paolo C. Arenas, Norwel Aerroil A. Gabito, Earl Wendhel Q. Mendoza, Kier P. Reyes, and Ivan T. Velasco.--

Bachelor's Thesis

College of Industrial Technology.-- Bachelor of engineering technology major in computer engineering technology: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.

Includes bibliographic references and index.

This research project addresses plastic waste accumulation and flood vulnerability in
risk-prone communities by designing a Wi-Fi vending machine that accepts plastic
bottles and cans. This innovative solution promotes responsible waste disposal by
providing free internet access in exchange for deposited recyclables, thereby
supporting environmental sustainability and bridging the digital divide. The design
features elevated placement for flood resilience, waterproof casing, sealed
compartments, and a multi-sensor system capable of accurately identifying and
sorting materials. The user-friendly interface, combined with the multi-sensor
system, achieved a high accuracy rate of 94% in recognizing and sorting recyclables,
even when exposed to water. The Wi-Fi module ensures a stable internet connection
for users. Testing indicated that the user-friendly design and free Wi-Fi access
significantly increased participation in recycling activities. As shown in Table 18,
the Wi-Fi vending machine consistently received high "Very Acceptable" ratings
across all evaluation categories, including Functionality (mean score 4.82),
Workability (4.6), Efficiency (4.66), Economy (4.91), and Safety (4.61), resulting in
an overall mean score of 4.72. Despite the prototype's success, some limitations were
identified, such as the need for regular maintenance and potential deployment
challenges in areas with weak infrastructure. Future research will focus on enhancing
the system's resilience to extreme weather events, improving sensor accuracy and
reliability in diverse conditions, and developing strategies for maintaining consistent
network connectivity. This technology shows promise for benefiting flood-prone
communities both environmentally and digitally, warranting further investigation
and development.