I’ve been really impressed with how creative and innovative the smart home community can be. Recently, I stumbled upon an idea that I thought was both practical and fun—using smart technology to manage waste collection. Let me share my experience and maybe inspire others to think outside the box!I’ve always been a bit forgetful when it comes to trash day. I set up the Waste Collection Schedule integration through HACS, but I wanted a more visual reminder. While browsing AliExpress, I came across these cute miniature rubbish bins, and it got me thinking: could I illuminate the bins to show what kind of rubbish to put out? Using an ESP32 with ESP Home installed seemed like the obvious choice, but then I saw some very inexpensive Zigbee USB switches. I only needed two bin reminders, so a 2-channel switch was perfect. AliExpress also had some inexpensive LED night lights, which I thought could work well for the lighting. I cut a USB-sized slot in the bins, pushed the lights in from inside, and hot-glued them in place. The lids can be swapped to match the actual bins in your area. Here in Auckland, New Zealand, dark green bins are used with red and yellow lids, but I opted for lighter colors since the dark green didn’t let the light through.Once I added the Zigbee switch to my system, I had two switch entities. I set up a sensor in Waste Collection Schedule and used AI to write a simple automation: the lights turn on the day before the bins are due and off at 10 pm. It’s a small project, but it’s made a big difference in my routine!This experience has shown me how easy it is to integrate smart tech into everyday tasks. If you’re looking for a fun project, I highly recommend giving this a try. It’s a great way to stay organized and add a bit of personality to your smart home setup.I’d love to hear if anyone else has tried something similar or has other creative ideas for managing waste or household tasks. Let’s keep the innovation flowing! 
