As the weather warms up, I’ve been thinking about how to make my weekly waste management routine more efficient. Every week, we have to put out either our garbage or recycling, and then bring them back inside the same day due to wildlife. This has always been a bit of a hassle, especially when I’m busy and might forget to bring them back in.
I decided to tackle this challenge by implementing a smart reminder system. My initial idea was to set up a scheduled reminder in the morning to put the bins out, but I also needed a way to remind myself to bring them back in if I’ve forgotten. I explored several options, including smart buttons and sensors, but I wanted something seamless that wouldn’t require me to press a button or take additional actions.
After some research, I stumbled upon the idea of using a smart button mounted above the bins in the garage. The button would trigger an automation that logs the action of bringing the bins back in. This way, I only need to press the button once when I bring them back, and the system keeps track of everything.
Here’s how I set it up:
- Scheduled Reminder: I created a daily reminder that goes off in the morning to remind me to put the bins out.
- Smart Button Automation: I connected a smart button to my system that, when pressed, logs the action of bringing the bins back in. This automation also sends me a notification confirming that the bins are back inside.
- Location-Based Trigger: I added a location-based trigger that reminds me to bring the bins back in if I’m near the garage later in the day without having pressed the button.
This setup has been working perfectly for me! It’s simple, effective, and reduces the chances of forgetting to bring the bins back in. Plus, it’s been a great way to ensure consistency in our waste management routine.
If anyone has other ideas or suggestions for improving this system, I’d love to hear them! Maybe incorporating motion sensors or integrating with a smart speaker for voice reminders could be the next steps. Let’s brainstorm together! 
