A system and method are provided and include a sensor module and a control module for a dispenser. The sensor module has an infrared emitter that emits infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter and reflected off of a container. The sensor module determines a time period between emission of the infrared light by the infrared emitter and detection of the infrared light by the infrared receiver and determines a distance to the container based on the determined time period. The control module is configured to receive the determined distance from the sensor module, activate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is less than the predetermined threshold, and deactivate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is greater than the predetermined threshold.