Europe and North America still seem a bit hesitant about adopting facial recognition technology on any wide scale. China, on the other hand, seems to be finding new uses for the tech every day. The latest places to be equipped with facial recognition are public housing communities and smart bins to make sure citizens properly sort their trash.

In Beijing, local officials are running a trial program in several residential neighborhoods to help supervise recycling programs. Its purpose is to make sure residents are “encouraged” to properly sort their trash. So no more putting glass where plastic is supposed to go or there could be consequences.

Smart Bin Cameras Will Make Sure Citizens Properly Sort Trash

There are 26 smart bins in one community in the Xicheng district. Residents must scan their faces before they start disposing their waste in the designated bins. The smart bins are equipped with cameras which will identify residents during the process.

If a person does not properly sort their waste, they will be identified and possibly subject to fines. For those that correctly sort their paper, plastic, and cans, they can be rewarded with things like free transit tickets and household items.

Facial Recognition in Public Housing

To help curb illegal subletting of government-funded flats, Beijing authorities have installed automated entrance gates with face scan technology in 13 public housing communities. According to officials, the facial recognition is there to increase security and make sure that the low- income housing is being used by the citizens who it was intended for. Subletting public rental houses is banned as they are meant to provide shelter for low-income families and migrant workers.

“It’s quite irritating that many citizens are still waiting for the houses while some illegally sublet their public rental houses,” said Yin Banghao, an official in charge of a public rental housing project in Fengtai District.

Residents must register their faces and identity in the facial recognition system. Other people who may be accessing the community like service staff, couriers and food delivery workers can also register. The technology is expected to be in all 59 Beijing public rental housing neighborhoods by October.

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