INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026  
Design and Development of a Plastic Bottle-Activated Fan Prototype  
Romero, Oscar Jr. O1., Deromol, James Arryl E2., Dula, Jamelah A3., Justoba, Gale G4., Lumansoc,  
Kristine Jane I5., Tabanao, Neil Harvey B6., Villar, Keith Icen A.7  
Secondary Department, Mindanao State University – Maigo College of Education Science and  
Technology (MSU-MCEST)  
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150500163  
Received: 24 May 2026; Accepted: 29 June 2026; Published: 10 June 2026  
ABSTRACT  
This capstone project, titled "Design and Development of a Plastic Bottle-Activated Fan Prototype," addresses  
the growing global concern of non-biodegradable plastic waste by integrating discarded materials into a  
functional electrical system. The study aimed to design a prototype that utilizes plastic bottles as a triggering  
mechanism to activate a battery-powered fan, evaluating the system's effectiveness and its potential to promote  
environmental awareness. Using a descriptive-developmental research design, the researchers constructed a  
model where the insertion of a plastic bottle is acting similarly to a coin-operated mechanism which completes  
a circuit to power a small DC fan. Testing was conducted at Mindanao State University – Maigo College of  
Education, Science, and Technology (MSU-MCEST) to measure response time, consistency, and power stability  
using electrical measurements and observation checklists. Results indicated that the triggering system effectively  
activated the fan, with the battery providing sufficient and stable power for operation. Participant feedback  
through a Likert scale evaluation suggested that the prototype serves as an effective educational tool,  
demonstrating practical waste utilization and the principles of basic automation. The study concludes that simple,  
low-cost trigger-based systems offer a viable and accessible approach to promoting sustainable waste  
management and environmental responsibility within a campus setting.  
Keywords: Plastic Waste Management, Trigger-Based Activation, Waste Utilization, Battery-Powered System,  
Prototype Development  
INTRODUCTION  
The increasing problem of plastic waste and improper waste segregation continues to contribute to environmental  
issues such as flooding and drainage blockage in developing countries like the Philippines (Greenpeace  
Philippines, 2022; Jambeck et al., 2015). This situation highlights the need for practical, low-cost, and accessible  
solutions that promote environmental awareness and responsible waste management.  
Several studies have emphasized the importance of circular economy approaches in addressing plastic pollution  
(Van Caneghem et al., 2019; Ritchie et al., 2023). However, many existing systems rely on industrial-scale  
processing such as waste-to-energy technologies, which require complex infrastructure and high operational  
costs (Brunner & Morf, 2025; MDPI Energies, 2024). As an alternative, this study focuses on a simplified  
“waste-as-trigger” mechanism that directly utilizes plastic bottles as a physical input for activating an electrical  
system (ScienceDirect Topics, 2024; IntechOpen, 2011).  
The system follows a basic input-process-output structure commonly used in automation and control systems  
(Bolton, 2015; Universalium, 2024). When a plastic bottle is inserted into the prototype, it triggers a circuit that  
activates an electrical load for a controlled duration. The design is supported by fundamental principles of  
switches and relay-based control systems (Wikipedia, 2024; Hameed et al., 2021). The electrical system uses a  
battery-based power supply with inverter conversion to support alternating current operation (Goodwin, 2024;  
Comtar, 2024). Sensors and control elements are used to ensure proper activation and system reliability (Fraden,  
2016; Eaton, 2024). Similar educational prototypes have shown that hands-on engineering models are effective  
in teaching basic electrical and sustainability concepts (Yilmaz et al., 2018; López et al., 2024).  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026  
This study aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 12, which promotes responsible consumption and  
production, by demonstrating how waste materials can be repurposed into functional educational systems  
(UNESCO, 2023; United Nations Environment Programme, 2023). Ultimately, the project bridges  
environmental awareness and basic automation through a low-cost and accessible design.  
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE  
Synthesis  
Plastic waste remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally, particularly in developing  
countries where waste management systems are limited (Greenpeace Philippines, 2022; Nature Sustainability,  
2024). Studies show that recycling rates remain low, and much of the plastic waste ends up in landfills or natural  
environments (Society of Chemical Industry, 2025; Yaqoob et al., 2025). Circular economy approaches have  
been proposed as a sustainable solution, focusing on resource recovery and reuse rather than disposal (Van  
Caneghem et al., 2019; Brunner & Morf, 2025). However, most implementations remain large-scale and  
industrial in nature (MDPI Energies, 2024; Schiffer et al., 2015). This creates a gap for small-scale, educational,  
and community-based systems. In response, this study adopts a simplified automation model using a plastic  
bottle as a trigger mechanism for activating an electrical circuit. The system incorporates basic automation  
principles such as input-output control, relay switching, and timed operation (Bolton, 2015; Hameed et al., 2021;  
Eaton, 2024). It also demonstrates the application of embedded system concepts in a simplified form suitable for  
educational use (Lee & Seshia, 2017).  
Previous studies have shown that small-scale engineering prototypes can improve understanding of electrical  
systems and sustainability concepts among students (Putra et al., 2020; García et al., 2024; Yilmaz et al., 2018).  
Therefore, this study fills the gap by presenting a low-cost and accessible system that combines waste utilization  
and basic automation in a practical learning tool.  
METHODOLOGY  
This study employed a descriptive-developmental research design in the development and evaluation of a plastic  
bottle-activated fan prototype conducted at Mindanao State University – Maigo College of Education, Science  
and Technology (MSU-MCEST). The Plastic Bottle-Activated Fan Prototype was designed as a small-scale  
trigger-based electrical system that utilizes a 12V 32Ah battery as its primary power source. The system was  
developed to demonstrate how plastic bottles can be integrated into a functional electrical application while  
promoting environmental awareness and sustainable waste management practices.  
The structure of the prototype was constructed using PVC pipes to provide a lightweight yet stable support frame  
for the electrical and mechanical components. The system consists of a battery, 200W power inverter, timer  
module, solid-state relay (SSR), triggering sensor mechanism, outlet panel, and electric fan. These components  
work together to regulate and distribute electrical power throughout the system.  
The prototype was intended primarily for educational demonstration and small-scale environmental awareness  
campaigns within the campus setting. Although the system performed effectively during testing, the prototype  
was not designed for long-term industrial operation or large-scale waste-management implementation.  
Figure 1 System Diagram of the Plastic Bottle-Activated Fan Prototype  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026  
The prototype is powered by a 12V 32Ah rechargeable DC battery connected to a 200W inverter that converts  
the current to 220V AC to drive a 35W–50W electric fan. During testing, the system maintained a stable voltage  
output with minimal fluctuations, while the solid-state relay and timer module effectively regulated the fan's  
activation and run duration to maximize energy efficiency. The assembly utilized insulated wiring, PVC  
structural supports, and secure mounting, resulting in zero instances of overheating, short circuits, or component  
failures during initial operation.  
The system operates through a simple input-process-output mechanism. The input stage involves the insertion  
of a plastic bottle, which activates a triggering mechanism. The process stage involves signal handling through  
a control system that manages activation timing. The output stage delivers electrical power to the fan for a  
controlled duration using a relay-based switching system (Hameed et al., 2021; Eaton, 2024).  
The electrical system is powered by a 12V 32Ah battery and supported by a 200W inverter to convert DC power  
to AC supply for the fan (Goodwin, 2024; Comtar, 2024). Proper insulation and wiring were applied to ensure  
safety during operation. Testing procedures included multimeter readings to monitor voltage stability and system  
performance (Fraden, 2016). In addition, a 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate user feedback regarding the  
prototype’s effectiveness and educational value (Yilmaz et al., 2018; López et al., 2024).  
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS  
Summary Of Findings  
The evaluation of the plastic bottle-activated fan prototype demonstrated a highly reliable and operational system  
capable of delivering continuous 220V AC output through a 12V 32Ah storage battery and a 200W inverter  
setup. Respondents and researchers noted that the system functioned smoothly with minimal voltage fluctuations,  
confirming that the integrated 4-digit timer module successfully managed power distribution and regulated  
operation runtimes to maximize energy efficiency. While minor, manageable power interruptions occurred  
occasionally, they did not hinder overall system performance. Most notably, both students and faculty highly  
agreed that the physical model successfully demonstrated the concept of circular waste utilization. It effectively  
increased ecological awareness and promoted proper plastic handling within the Mindanao State University -  
Maigo College of Education Science and Technology (MSU-MCEST) campus, showcasing a direct link between  
technological automation and environmental responsibility.  
Conclusion  
Based on these findings, it is concluded that the plastic bottle-activated fan prototype is technically feasible,  
functionally viable, and highly reliable as an off-grid educational tool. The project successfully confirms that  
small-scale, everyday electrical appliances can be safely powered and controlled through a standalone, trigger-  
based input-process-output circuit layout. By utilizing ordinary plastic bottles to directly complete an operational  
circuit loop, the mechanism effectively bridges the gap between complex hardware automation and practical  
recycling. Ultimately, this low-cost, simplified engineering architecture provides an engaging, hands-on  
instructional model that proves sustainability and electronic automation can be combined into a cost-effective  
system to foster campus environmental stewardship.  
Recommendations  
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations are proposed:  
1. Improvement of the Triggering Mechanism: Future designs should enhance the sensitivity and  
durability of the triggering system, such as using more reliable sensors or switches, to ensure  
consistent activation when plastic bottles are inserted.  
2. Use of Higher-Quality Components: It is recommended to use higher-quality electrical components,  
such as pure sine wave inverters, to improve system performance, reduce power interruptions, and  
extend the lifespan of the device.  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026  
3. Integration of Solar Charging System: Future researchers are recommended to integrate a solar  
charging system to support the battery when it is low. This will help maintain continuous operation  
of the prototype, improve energy sustainability, and reduce dependency on external electrical  
charging sources.  
4. Expansion of System Capability: Future studies may explore expanding the system to power  
additional low-energy devices to test its capacity, efficiency, and scalability.  
5. Structural and Material Enhancement: The use of more durable and stable materials is  
recommended to improve the overall safety, stability, and longevity of the prototype, especially for  
long-term or public demonstrations. Incorporating robust, low-cost structural enclosures from small-  
scale design frameworks ensures the device withstands public school environments safely  
(Universidad Industrial de Santander, 2018).  
6. Educational Utilization: The prototype may be utilized as an instructional tool in teaching basic  
electrical systems, automation, and environmental awareness in academic settings. Deploying  
interactive, small-scale experimental sets acts as an excellent mechanism for green technology  
education (Yilmaz et al., 2018).  
7. Comparative Analysis with Existing Systems: Future studies should compare the prototype with  
existing recycling machines or smart waste-management systems to evaluate efficiency, cost-  
effectiveness, and operational advantages.  
8. Scalability Testing in Public Areas: Future researchers may test the prototype in larger public or  
institutional settings such as schools, parks, terminals, or recycling stations to evaluate its practicality,  
effectiveness, and scalability in real-world applications.  
9. Detailed Technical Testing: Future studies should include more detailed technical analysis such as  
circuit design evaluation, voltage regulation testing, power consumption measurement, load testing,  
and energy-efficiency analysis to further improve the reliability and performance of the prototype.  
10. Durability and Long-Term Performance Testing: Extended testing is recommended to determine  
the durability, maintenance requirements, and long-term operational stability of the system under  
continuous use and different environmental conditions.  
11. Integration of Advanced Waste-Management Technologies: Future developments may explore  
the integration of technologies such as pyrolysis systems, automated bottle counters, or smart  
monitoring systems to enhance waste utilization and increase the innovation value of the project.  
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MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
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