University of the Cordillera smart trash bin ‘Baraki’ to be installed in Baguio City

Baguio City, Philippines – In a move to foster proper waste disposal practices, the city of pines, this year, is set to mount the first batch of Baraki - a trash bin project developed by students from the university of the Cordilleras.

Four units of ‘baraki’ (basurahang taraki), according to General Services Office (GSO) Head Eugene Buyucan via Baguio – PIO, will be installed in identified locations in the city, while two others await placement.

What is the ‘Basurahang Taraki’ and how it started?

The ‘baraki’ (basurahang taraki) project started as a research on smart bins back in 2023 titled “BARAKI: Development of Smart Garbage Bin Monitoring System for Burnham Park, Baguio City,” of University of Cordilleras. The study was done by the College of Engineering and Architecture students Kyle Russel Lucero, Aeryk John Mosquete, and Samuel Sta. Cruz.

To recall, the said research was awarded 1st place for the college category as the ‘Outstanding Student Creative Research - SIBOL AWARD’ for their entry on Development of the Smart Garbage Bin Monitoring System for Burnham Park, Baguio City in 2023, earning them a cash prize of P20,000.

In the same year, the city adopted the technology and supported the students in further developing the project following a pilot test at the Rose Garden.

Through a motion sensor, said bin is integrated with smart features detecting anyone trying to put trash within its radar, allowing them to eventually open and close the bin.

Enabled by solar-powered wiring, the smart bin is equipped with a weatherproof system designed to reject wet wastes. These smart features enable real-time monitoring and ensure proper waste segregation.

With full support for its implementation provided by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the GSO, the breakthrough project is expected to improve waste segregation in the city.