create your world | Young Creatives u12 Award, Prix Ars Electronica 2021

Benjamin’s Recycling Centre

Benjamin Hölzl  (AT)

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Linz, In Kepler's Gardens

Waste separation is a problem that everyone has to deal with in everyday life. That’s why Benjamin has developed machines to separate waste.

Benjamin’s hardworking employee Robert the robot collects aluminum cans and hauls away the paper container for disposal. This robot was built using LEGO Mindstorms blueprints and is controlled with the accompanying remote control.

The trash compactor presses paper boxes based on the paper compactor container so that the boxes do not take up so much space in the paper container. After pressing, a flap opens at the back and the pressed box is ejected through a special device. The stubble sorter separates plastic and metal closures through a foldable plate. The paper container disposes of paper that it previously pulls into a box through a device built with wheels. Robert then disposes of the full paper box. The pet bottle return machine takes back plastic bottles.

Constructed with gears and an assembly line, this machine is powered by an M engine, while the 4-cylinder engine is just a “fake engine”. The machines and devices used LEGO technology with seven motors, a remote control and the robot from LEGO Mindstorms.

Benjamin’s Recycling Centre received the Young Creatives Award of Distinction in the u12-create your world category at the Prix Ars Electronica 2021.