Research and Applications: Embedded System

Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

An Approach to Smart Waste Segregation using IOT

Suhas G. K.1*, Charan K. V.2, Deepak N. R.3, Bhagappa4
1,2
Associate Professor, Shridevi Institute of Engineering and Engineering and Technology,
Tumkur, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
3
Professor, HKBK College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
4
Associate Professor, Brindhavan College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding Author
E-mail Id: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Rapid growth in population, urbanization, and economic development has a huge impact on
the increasing amount of waste that is being generated. According to an estimate, the amount
of solid waste produced in a year is about 2.01 billion tones. By 2050, the predicted growth
in the amount of waste generated will be increased to 3.04 billion. The correct collection,
segregation, and disposal of the solid waste produced are major problems in many nations
today. Improper techniques used for the same can result in a number of environmental risks
and have an effect on the nation's residents' health. The important step involved in recycling
waste is its proper segregation. This is better utilized if the segregation is at the source itself.
There is currently no technology that can separate solid trash into multiple categories at the
point of generation itself, such as glassware, plastics, metallic garbage, and wet waste. We
aim to sort the wastes into the aforementioned categories using the various sensors that are
available because the majority of solid waste, such as glass and plastics, is recyclable. By
automating the process of sorting, we reduce the amount of labor that is necessary for
sorting, which lowers the occupational hazards of the manual workers.

Keyword: IOT, Solid waste, segregation

INTRODUCTION major ways to stop generating waste is by

The need for food and other necessities following the principles of the three R’s
has grown as a result of modernization, which are Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse.
urbanization, and population growth. This The major component of the waste
therefore causes a significant amount of generated today is plastic. Colored
garbage to be produced. When waste is plastics may contain many heavy metals in
not properly disposed of, there are their pigment which impacts the health of
numerous health and environmental risks. the people and animals around them.
The collection of waste by city municipal Since these are not biodegradable, one of
corporations and the disposal of it on the ways to get rid of them is by stopping
waste areas that are later turned into their use. Another way includes recycling
landfills are standard disposal procedures. and reusing them. Metallic waste from
Due to their open nature and exposure to electronic items is also another major
elements like sunshine, wind, and rain, contributor to the waste. This can also be
these landfills produce hazardous liquids recycled and reused. Glass wastes are also a
and emit poisonous gases that have a threat to the environment. Therefore,
negative impact on the ecology. Workers recycling glass waste reduces pollution
who manually sift the waste are also and space in landfills. Studies have proven
impacted by this method of disposal, that producing glass from raw materials is
which has degrading impacts. One of the expensive and more pollute than producing

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

from recycling. Hence, materials that can be the waste falls into their respective bins
recycled are better if they are recycled. As correctly. IoT is also incorporated to count
can be seen from the above pieces of the number of wastes of different
evidence, most of the waste can be categories that are collected and then this
recycled and reused. The first and information is available through a mobile
foremost step in the process of recycling is app. Automation of Plastic, Metal, and
the segregation of waste into different Glass Waste Materials Segregation using
categories. This has been traditionally Arduino in Scrap Industry [2] Mohammed
done by workers manually, which has Rafeeq et al. The paper elucidates the fact
hazardous effects on them. Therefore, we that one of the major concerns today is
propose a solution that automates the disposing of the waste collected. It also
process of segregation of waste, which has reports that 2.02 billion tonnes of waste
numerous advantages like, reducing the are generated worldwide. This paper tells
number of workers needed for the entire that, for proper management of waste it
process of waste management. It also has to be segregated and transported
results in good quality of materials that efficiently. It also quotes that the
can be recycled, since segregation of segregation of waste helps in determining
waste is done at the source of its its economic value. Therefore, it aims to
generation itself. segregate the solid waste materials
collected into three categories metals,
EXISTING SYSTEM glass, and plastic. This paper suggests that
This paper discusses an interesting fact it is better if the waste is segregated at the
that the segregation of waste helps in source, rather than first sending the waste
realizing the importance and value of the to a segregation plant and later to a
waste. This paper proposes a system that recycling plant. This, therefore, reduces
helps in separating metal, dry, and wet the time for recycling. It also gives an
waste automatically. This helps in the insight into how waste is converted into
reduction of the occupational hazards of energy using the syngas produced from
the people who manually sort the waste. In waste. This automated system tends to
this way, sorting waste automatically reduce the hazards caused to manual waste
reduces the threat to the environment. The segregator. It emphasizes that metal, glass,
system developed here consists of various and plastic form the major part of waste
small sub conveyor belts that protrude to a materials. This system effectively uses
major conveyor belt. The major conveyor three types of sensors: IR sensor,
belt is responsible for the segregation of Inductive sensor, Capacitive sensor .The
waste. At the end of each conveyor, there functionality of each of these are: An
is a dustbin that has IR sensors infrared sensor is used for the detection of
incorporated into it. This is done to detect the fill level of the bins and also to detect
if there is any waste in the bins. If found, any object that is placed on the conveyor
the waste falls onto the small sub conveyor belt., The metallic waste is detected by an
belt. This is achieved by rotating the bin inductive sensor. The capacitive sensor is
and then, the waste is moved to the major used to classify waste into glass and plastic
conveyor belt. At this point, segregation categories. First, the presence of an object
begins. A non-contact type metal sensor is (waste) on the conveyor is detected using
used for the detection of metallic waste. an IR sensor later when the inductive
A capacitive proximity sensor is used to senor also gives a high output, the belt
separate dry and wet waste. There are moves in the clockwise direction to collect
different bins at the end of the conveyor the metallic waste. If the above condition
that are rotated using servo motors so that is not true, then the belt moves in the

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

anticlockwise direction until it reaches the metallic waste falls into a bin equipped
capacitive sensor. After this, based on the with a metal detection sensor. The leftover
output generated by the capacitive sensor, garbage after extracting metallic waste is
the material is classified as glass or plastic. passed through a medium speed blower,
If the output of the capacitive sensor is using which lightweight materials such as
high, then the material is glass and if the papers, plastics are put into a duct that
output is low, the material is plastic and leads into a bin equipped with an IR
hence, they are collected in their respective sensor to detect the non-biodegradable
bins. For testing the metal detection waste. Further, the leftover waste that is of
module, a metal tin was used, plastic and higher weight than the plastics and papers
glass bottles were used to test the plastic fall over the second conveyor belt which
and glass detection modules respectively. leads into the moisture bin which has a
The true acceptance rate for metallic, moisture detection sensor below to sense
glass, and plastic wastes was found to be all the wet waste coming into the bin. IoT
90, 93 and 98 percent respectively. Future module is also integrated within the
work includes The Capacitive sensors system to upload all the data from the
available only uses digital values therefore sensors to a cloud which can be later used
there is a need for a sensor that can read for processing and visualization. Wastes
analog values which has many uses. This exclusively. This will lead to the emission
can reduce the overall cost of the system. It of harmful gases that affect the
also states that image processing can also environment. Therefore, the solution
be incorporated for segregation. The paper suggested here, aims to build an
suggests that once the waste is segregated, autonomous system that can separate waste
advanced processing can be adopted for into metallic, non-biodegradable, and
further enhancement. AN IoT Based Waste biodegradable (dry and wet).A unique
Segregator for Recycling Biodegradable technique for solid waste segregation [4],
and Non-Biodegradable Waste [3] Mahesh Kumar et al. The authors started a
Jeberson Retna Raj et al. The paper survey of solid waste segregation. They
suggests that the segregation and disposal found out that it is difficult to segregate
of garbage in cities is a key challenge. different varieties of mixed waste in a
Usually, the waste is collected and dumped single platform. Therefore they suggested
in a dump yard which is later either burnt implementation for the same. This system
or used as land to dump wastes consists of a conveyor belt mechanism
exclusively. This will lead to the emission that is used for segregation. It also makes
of harmful gases that affect the use of a blower for separating dry and wet
environment. Therefore, the solution waste. Electromagnets are used for
suggested here, aims to build an separating me tallic waste. The working
autonomous system that can separate of this system is explained below.
waste into metallic, non-biodegradable, and Automated Waste Segregation [5],
biodegradable (dry and wet).The system Amrutha Chandramohan et al. The idea in
proposed here is built using: IR sensor, this paper is that waste segregation at the
Moisture detection sensor, Medium speed, source is always better than doing it in the
blower, Magnet, Two conveyor belts. The segregation plant. The benefit of doing so
garbage is dumped into a funnel, which is is, it leaves us with higher quality
then taken to the first conveyor belt. It materials from the waste for recycling.
consists of a magnet, which is used to Also, the segregated materials are sent
separate metallic waste. All the metallic directly to the recycling plant for reuse.
waste is first attracted by the magnet and The number of workers needed will also
moves along the conveyor. Later, the be reduced. Automatic Waste Segregator

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

and Monitoring System [6]K. and recycling the waste efficiently. The
Balakrishnan et al. This paper elucidates system proposed here aims to segregate the
the fact that proper management of waste waste into metal, glass, paper, and plastic
needs to be adopted to avoid hazardous categories. It adopts an electromechanical
effects on the ecosystem. It tells that system integrated with a microcontroller
about 60 million tonnes of waste is to achieve its purpose. The system makes
generated in India each year and about 50 use of conventional sensors to segregate
percent of people face issues regarding some kind of wastes, whereas LASER and
waste disposal. Hence, this paper attempts LDR are incorporated for the separation of
to build a cost-effective automatic waste other kinds. This whole process is
segregator that is capable of segregating automated which makes the system smart
waste into three categories such as and easy to use.[8]
metallic, organic, and plastic. This paper
further throws light on existing PROPOSED METHODOLOGY
methodologies used for segregation like x- The proposed system consists of a
ray technology and induction sorting. conveyor belt, ultrasonic sensor, moisture
Development of Automatic Waste Sorter detection sensor, inductive proximity
Machine [7]Md. Mahmudul Hasan Russel sensor, mobile camera, and Arduino. The
et al. The paper enlightens various flowchart below depicts the working of the
advantages of managing waste effectively system
that help our surroundings to be healthier

Fig. 1: A Flowchart representing the Algorithm of the Smart Waste Segregation System.

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

The system is designed to work in a low client program further forwards it to a

power consumption mode, this is achieved server that is responsible for the
through the use of an ultrasonic sensor. classification of an image as glass or
The system will remain in an idle state plastic. If the image is identified as
until the waste is placed on the belt. Once plastic, the waste is pushed off the belt
the waste is placed, the belt starts moving into the plastic bin using servo motors. If
and stops at the moisture detection it is glass, the conveyor belt starts moving
module. At this point, the moisture and the glass waste falls into the glass bin
detection sensor comes in contact with the placed at the end of the conveyor belt.
material to check if it is wet waste.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
If the waste is wet, then the servo motor This section entails the results through
activates and pushes the waste into the wet various visuals of the system and
waste bin. If the waste is dry, it is further discussion on the same.
moved on the conveyor belt to the metal
detection module. Here, the inductive Moisture Detection Module
proximity sensor checks if the waste is The expectations of this module are as
metallic or non-metallic. If the waste is follows. The wet waste detected by the
metallic, then the servo motor activates moisture detection sensor should be
and pushes the waste into the metal waste pushed off the belt using a servo motor
bin. The non-metallic waste is further sent with a flap. The dry waste should be
to the plastic or glass detection module. carried forward on the belt to the next
module for further segregation.
The entrance of waste to this module is
identified using an ultrasonic sensor. Once The figures below depict the system at
the ultrasonic sensor senses the presence of different points in time during the
waste, an image of waste is captured using segregation of the wet waste.
a mobile camera in the client program. The

Fig. 2: Moisture detection sensor in contact with the wet cloth.

In Figure 2, the focused region indicates sensor has come in contact with the wet
that the wet cloth has entered the moisture cloth.
detection module. The moisture detection

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

Fig. 3: Servo motor of moisture detection module segregating the wet cloth.

Figure 3, shows the servo motor with the sensor has indicated the presence of
flap of this module pushing the wet waste moisture in the wet cloth.
off the belt since the moisture detection

Fig. 4: Moisture detection sensor in contact with the metal tin.

In Figure 4, the focused region indicates detection sensor has come in contact with
that the metal tin has entered the the metal tin.
moisture detection module. The moisture

Fig. 5: Metal tin moving to the next module after being identified as dry.

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

Figure 5, shows the metal tin moves further module is in its original position without
on the belt to the next module i.e. metal interfering with the motion of the conveyor
detection module after being identified as belt.
dry waste by the moisture detection
sensor. All the figures above show that the
moisture detection module is working as
It can also be seen from the figure that the intended.
servo motor of the moisture detection

METAL DETECTION MODULE

Fig. 6: Inductive proximity sensor sensing the metal tin.

In Figure 6., the focused region indicates As can be seen, the inductive proximity
that the metal tin has arrived at the metal sensor behind the tin is sensing the tin as
detection module after being sensed as dry metal or non-metal.
waste by the moisture detection module.

Fig. 7: Servo motor of the metal detection module segregating the metal.

Figure 7., shows the servo motor with the waste off the belt sincethe inductive
flap of this module pushing the metallic proximity sensor has detected it as metal.

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

Fig. 8: Inductive proximity sensor sensing the plastic water bottle.

In Figure 8, the focused region indicates identified as dry waste from the moisture
that the plastic water bottle has entered the detection module. The inductive proximity
metal detection module after being sensor is sensing it as metal or non-metal.

Fig. 9: Plastic water bottle moving to the next module after being identified as non-metal.

Figure 9, shows the plastic water bottle a lack of efficient methods adopted for
moves further on the belt to the next disposal of the same. This could pose a
module i.e glass or plastic detection serious threat to the ecosystem. The
module after being identified as non- seriousness of the problem was taken into
metallic waste by the inductive proximity consideration and an attempt to design a
sensor. It can also be seen from the fig that solution for the problem was carried out.
the servo motor of the metal detection Our system is designed in a manner that
module is in its original position without combines multiple existing systems to
interfering with the motion of the conveyor deliver an easily usable and robust system.
belt. All the figures above show that the The proposed system is also cost-effective
metal detection module is working as and easy to use and maintain.
intended.
The work was carried out in a structured
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK way by starting off with a detailed
The world today is facing issues related to literature survey on the problem statement
waste collection and disposal due to an and existing systems. After this phase, all
increasing amount of waste generated and the requirements and scope were finalized

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

considering the feasibility. The design of REFERENCES

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 Research and Applications: Embedded System
Volume 5 Issue 2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6965901

automatic smart waste sorter machine. Springer, Singapore.

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