Adafruit Make a Pi Trash Classifier User manual

Make a Pi Trash Classifier with Machine Learning and Lobe

Created by Jen Fox

Last updated on 2020-11-18 06:09:13 PM EST

Overview

The Trash Classifier project, affectionately known as "Where does it go?!", is designed to make throwing things away faster and more reliable.

This project uses a Machine Learning (ML) model trained in Lobe (https://adafru.it/Ocx), a beginner-friendly (no code!) ML model builder, to identify whether an object goes in the garbage, recycling, compost, or hazardous waste. The ML model is loaded onto a Raspberry Pi computer to make it usable wherever you might find rubbish bins!

This tutorial walks you how to create your own Trash Classifier project on a Raspberry Pi from a Lobe TensorFlow Lite model in Python3.

Difficulty: Beginner++ (some knowledge w/ circuits and coding is helpful)

Read Time: 10 min

Build Time: 60 - 90 min

Tools and Materials

Hardware

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B - 2 GB RAM

The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is the newest Raspberry Pi computer made, and the Pi Foundation knows you can always make a good thing better! And what could make the Pi 4 better... $35.00 In Stock

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Raspberry Pi Camera Board v2 - 8 Megapixels

Snap, snap! The Camera v2 is the new official camera board released by the Raspberry Pi Foundation!The Raspberry Pi Camera Board v2 is a high quality 8... $29.95 In Stock

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Official Raspberry Pi Power Supply 5.1V 3A with USB C

The official Raspberry Pi USB-C power supply is here! And of course, we have 'em in classic Adafruit black! Super fast with just the right amount of cable length to get your Pi 4... $7.95 In Stock

SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)

Add mega-storage in a jiffy using this 8 GB class 4 micro-SD card. It comes with a SD adapter so you can use it with any of our shields or adapters. Preformatted to FAT so it works out... $9.95 In Stock

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Half-size breadboard

This is a cute half size breadboard, good for small projects. It's 2.2" x 3.4" (5.5 cm x 8.5 cm) with a standard double-strip in the middle and two power rails on both... $5.00 In Stock

1 x Pushbutton On/Off

1 x LEDs 4 indicator LEDs, 1 status LED (5 total)

1 x 220 Ohm Resistors Need 6 of 25

1 x Jumper wires Male-Male

If you choose to solder:

1 JST connector (https://adafru.it/drM), female end only 2 M-to-F jumper wires (https://adafru.it/OcC) 10 F-to-F jumper wires (https://adafru.it/OcD)

Heat Shrink Tubing (https://adafru.it/OcE)

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Out of

Stock

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PCB - Half Perma Proto Board (https://adafru.it/eni)

Enclosure

Project case (e.g. cardboard, wood, or plastic box, approx. 6" x 5" x 4")

0.5" x 0.5" (2cm x 2cm) clear plastic square E.g. from a plastic food container lid

Velcro

Tools

Wire cutters (https://adafru.it/dxQ) Soldering iron (https://adafru.it/Clg) Helping Hands (https://adafru.it/dxR) (optional)

Precision knife (e.g. exacto knife) and cutting mat Hot melt tool (or other non-conductive glue -- epoxy works great but is permanent)

Software (PC-side)

Lobe (https://adafru.it/Ocx) WinSCP (https://adafru.it/OcF) (or other SSH file transfer method, can use CyberDuck (https://adafru.it/OcG) for Mac)

Terminal Remote Desktop Connection or RealVNC

Before Starting

This project assumes you're starting with a fully set-up Raspberry Pi in a headless configuration.  Here's a

beginner-friendly guide on how to do this. (https://adafru.it/OcH)

It also helps to have some knowledge of the following:

1. Familiarity with the Raspberry Pi

Here's a handy getting started guide! (https://adafru.it/OcI)

Also helpful: Getting started with the Pi camera (https://adafru.it/OcJ)

2. Reading and editing Python code (you won't need to write a program from scratch, just edit)

Introduction to Python with the Raspberry Pi (https://adafru.it/OcK)

3. Reading Fritzing wiring diagrams

4. Using a breadboard

Breadboards for beginners guide (https://adafru.it/OcL)

Find out where your trash goes

Each city across the US (and I would assume the globe) has its own garbage/recycling/compost/etc. collection system. This means that to make an accurate trash classifier, we'll need to 1) build a custom ML model (we'll cover this in the next step -- no code!) and 2) know where each piece of trash goes.

Since I didn't always know the proper bin for each item I used to train my model, I used the Seattle Utilities flyer shown above, and also this handy "Where does it go?" lookup tool (https://adafru.it/OcM) for the city of Seattle! Check out what resources are available in your city you by looking up your city's garbage collection utility and perusing its website.

Adafruit Make a Pi Trash Classifier User manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual