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.

It also helps to have some knowledge of the following:

1. Familiarity with the Raspberry Pi
   • ​Here's a handy getting started guide!
   • Also helpful: ​Getting started with the Pi camera
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
3. Reading Fritzing wiring diagrams
4. Using a breadboard
   • Breadboards for beginners guide

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 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.