US Patent 10482120 Waste identification systems and methods

In certain embodiments, a system may include an interface configured to couple to a network, at least one optical sensor configured to capture optical data associated with packaging of a waste product, and a processor coupled to the interface and to the at least one optical sensor. The processor may be configured to search at least one data source to automatically identify the waste product based on the optical data and, when the waste product is not automatically identified based on its packaging, send an alert including the optical data to a social media website through the network to solicit identifying information from one or more subscribers.