The illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for managing a plurality of items. A housing (206,302) has an opening (216,316) and is configured to receive a plurality of items (218,314) through the opening (216,316) of the housing (206,302). A first bag (220,306) has a first end (224,318) that is sealed and an opening (222,316). The opening (222,316) of the first bag (220,306) is associated with the opening (216,316) of the housing (206,302). A sensor system (210,308) configured to detect a selected condition for the first bag (220,306). A sealing system (212,310) configured to seal a second end (235,317) for the first bag (220,306) in response to the sensor system (210,308) detecting the selected condition. An ejection system (260) is configured to transfer the first bag (220,306) to a desired location in response to the sealing system (212,310) sealing the second end (235,317) for the first bag (220,306).
