ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) Bhubaneswar has developed a UV (ultraviolet) sanitized dustbin with the help of a start-up Home Acts to use it in daily life. It has UV lights that can neutralize the viruses and other pathogens.
The dustbin has sensor that opens the flap on the dustbin if anybody throws waste materials into it. After a few seconds, the flap automatically get closed. Interestingly, if any person goes near to the dustbin, the UV lights get switched off. The cost of this dustbin is Rs 2,000.
“After the waste materials enter into it, the sensors fitted in the bin switch on UV lights for a considerable period to neutralize the virus,” said RMRC director Sanghamitra Pati.
She said the dustbin is programmed to switch on the UV lights. “We have created a proto type in our office. We are conducting more testing and later we will come up with a final product. We know that the UV lights are proven germicidal,” she added.
Abhishek Acharya, advisor of the start-up and a space biologist working in Germany, said they developed the touch-free programmed dustbin for use in hospitals, offices, shops and households. "We have developed it in seven days," he added.
People normally put waste materials in the dustbins which are not treated. The sanitation workers collect it and put it in dumping yard after transporting it via garbage carrying trucks. During this waste management process, nobody keeps track on the waste materials carrying viruses.
This UV sanitized dustbin is one of the solutions to contain the viruses. The dustbin neutralize all the pathogens in it and make it safe to handle by the sanitation workers, said Acharya.
