IoT Based Waste Management System

IOT102-SE1825, Group 3

Van Kinh Kiet, Cao The Quan, Phan Thanh Tu, Tran Anh Huy, and Le The Dung
FPT University, Ho Chi Minh Campus, Vietnam
{kietvkse182744, quanctse182750, tuptse182945, huytase184545}@fpt.edu.vn, [email protected]

Abstract
The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized many industries by providing innovative solutions to complex problems, one
of which is waste management. This project proposes an IoT-based waste management system designed to improve the efficiency
of waste collection and disposal processes in urban environments. The system uses smart bins equipped with sensors to monitor
waste levels in real time. Data from these sensors is transmitted to a central platform where the data is analyzed and processed.
Using this information, the system can optimize collection routes, reduce operating costs, and minimize environmental impact.
The integration of IoT technology ensures timely waste collection, prevents bin overflows, and improves the overall cleanliness
of the city. The system is also designed to monitor and manage bin fullness, thereby providing alerts when necessary, helping
the collection team to plan more effectively. Data collected from smart bins is stored on a cloud platform, allowing for remote
access and analysis. This helps optimize not only collection schedules but also the efficient allocation of resources and manpower.
Furthermore, the system can be integrated with other smart city applications to create a comprehensive and intelligent urban
management network. This project not only enhances waste management efficiency but also contributes to reducing environmental
impacts by optimizing waste collection and transportation, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Widespread deployment of this
system can significantly improve the quality of life in urban areas and contribute to building a more sustainable environment.

I. I NTRODUCTION
In the context of rapid urbanization and population growth, waste management has become one of the most pressing
challenges worldwide, particularly in maintaining clean and sustainable urban environments. Traditional waste management
systems often struggle to efficiently monitor and control the fill levels of garbage bins, leading to environmental and community
health concerns.
To address this issue, integrating IoT (Internet of Things) technology into waste management systems has brought significant
improvements. Smart sensors and automated communication systems enable real-time monitoring and management of waste
processing processes, thereby optimizing the operations of waste management units.
This system utilizes Servo motors and ultrasonic range measuring devices to accurately measure the fill levels of garbage
bins and adjust their lids automatically. Following measurement, the sealing and waste processing processes are automated,
reducing operational costs and time by up to 30% compared to traditional methods, while ensuring safety and sanitation for
the community.
Real-world studies conducted by scientific research report and real test project demonstrate that smart waste management
systems can reduce operational costs by 30% and save 25% of collection time compared to traditional methods. Additionally, the
system reduces uncollected waste by 20%, thereby minimizing overflowing bins and improving the urban living environment.
Data from smart sensors is aggregated and stored on cloud platforms, enabling remote management and more efficient
analysis. This not only enhances waste collection processes but also improves resource utilization efficiency and reduces
operational costs.
IoT-based waste management systems are among the most advanced solutions for improving urban living environments
and promoting sustainable development. This technology not only transforms the way we handle waste but also contributes
positively to building smart and environmentally-friendly cities.
 II. M ETHODS AND M ATERIALS
A. System Model and Block Diagram

Servo

Ultrasonic Arduino Module Module wifi wifi

ESP8266 Internet
Sensor UNO Lora Lora

IR
Gateway
Sensor
Station

Fig. 1: Enter Caption

B. Components and Peripheral Devices

Arduino UNO : The microcontroller board serves as a powerful tool

for controlling electronic devices through various communication ports,
GPIO pins, and analog inputs. Key functionalities include providing input
voltage (VIN) for external power sources, supplying 5V and 3.3V power
to components, and grounding (GND) connections. It features analog pins
(A0-A5) for reading analog signals and digital pins (D0-D13) for versatile
input/output operations. Specific pins like PWM outputs (D3, D5, D6, D9,
D10, D11) adjust LED brightness or motor speed, while TX (D1) and
RX (D0) enable serial communication. Additionally, SPI (MOSI, MISO,
SCK, SS) and I2C (SDA, SCL) pins support SPI and I2C communications,
Fig. 2: Arduino UNO respectively, enhancing its versatility in electronic projects.

Ultrasonic Sensor : The positioner monitors the filling level of a trash bin
using continuous ultrasound measurements. It emits ultrasonic pulses (Trig)
and calculates the time for the reflected waves to return (Echo). This method
accurately detects the distance to the surface of the waste inside the bin,
facilitating precise monitoring of waste accumulation. The collected data is
transmitted to a central management system for efficient waste management.
Key pins include VCC for power supply, Trig for pulse emission, Echo
for pulse reception, OUT for sensor mode selection, and GND for ground
connection. Fig. 3: Utrasonic sensor
 Servo Motor: The lid mechanism is controlled by a servo motor. The servo motor
rotates based on the command received from the central management system through
communication transmission from sensor/controller. Servo motors are responsible for
controlling the trash can lid. They open or close the lid based on received commands,
automating the process according to the fill level data from the sensor. VCC :Provides
power to the servo motor. GND :Ground connection for power supply. Control :Control
pin for the servo motor, usually connected to a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) pin from
Fig. 4: Servo Motor a microcontroller.

ESP8266: Fig. 5: ESP8266

IR-Sensor: The IR sensor serves as an additional input device enabling

specific commands, particularly for manual initiation of the waste collection
process by activating the lid mechanism. This allows for convenient waste
management after the bin reaches capacity. Key pins include VCC for power
supply, GND for ground connection, and OUT for output signals indicating
Fig. 6: IR Sensor sensor activation status.

LoRa Module: LoRa module is a long-ranged transmission module with

low power consumption. It acts as a connection between Arduino UNO, the
Ultrasonic module, and ESP8266. Signals from the Ultrasonic module to Ar-
duino are sent to ESP8266 using the LoRa module. Thus, ESP8266 provides
feedback to the smartphone application regarding the trash can status. VCC
: Power supply pin. GND : Ground connection for power supply MISO:
Master In Slave Out, for SPI communication. MOSI: Master Out Slave In,
for SPI communication. SCK: Serial Clock for SPI communication. NSS/CS:
Chip Select pin for SPI communication. DIO Pins: DIO0, DIO1, DIO2:
Digital Input/Output pins used for various purposes such as packet reception
indication, mode selection, or interrupt signaling. RESET: Reset pin. ANT
(Antenna): Antenna connection pin. TXEN/RXEN: Transmit Enable/Receive
Enable pins for controlling transmission and reception modes. Fig. 7: LoRa Module
Fig. 8: IOT Based Waste Management Circuit Diagram of Station that includes Arduino (main board to receive infomation
from sensors and concide with operate this system), sensors (collect the signal from external environment) and LoRa (connect
to gateway)

Fig. 9: OT Based Waste Management Circuit Diagram of Gateway that consists of two tools.
 Arduino Uno Ultrasonic Sensor IR Sensor Servo LoRa Module
5V VCC VCC VCC VCC
GND GND GND GND GND
2 DIO0
4 CONTROL
6 SIGNAL
7, 8 VCC, TRIG
9 RST
10, 11, 12, 13 NSS, MOSI, MISO, SCK

TABLE I: Pin Connectors between Arduino and LoRa and sensors in station

WIFI ESP8266 LORA MODULE

D0 RST
D2 DIO0
D5, D6, D7, D8 SCK, MOSI, MISO, NSS
GND GND
3.3V 3.3V

TABLE II: Pin Connectors between ESP8266 and LoRa

C. Software Programming
This report outlines the development and implementation of a Smart Trash Bin utilizing IoT technology. The project leverages
an ESP8266 for WiFi connectivity and the Blynk platform for remote monitoring and control. The system incorporates an
ultrasonic sensor for measuring the bin level, an IR sensor for detecting the presence of objects, and a servo motor for
controlling the bin lid. Data transmission is achieved via LoRa technology.
Setup and Configuration

1. Blynk Platform Interface

In order for the devices to qualify as IoT, they must connect to a cloud server for data storage and analysis. For the project
described in this paper, the popular IoT platform Blynk is selected. The integration of the end device with Blynk involves
several steps. These include creating virtual pins for different types of data, generating authentication tokens (Auth Tokens)
for secure communication, and embedding these tokens into the device’s code.

c h a r a u t h [ ] = BLYNK AUTH TOKEN; \ \

c h a r s s i d [ ] = ” * * * ” ; / / W i f i Name\\
c h a r p a s s [ ] = ” * * * ” ; / / P a s s w o r d w i f i \\
2. Programming Flowchart

Start

Initialize the system

Active all sensor systems

Process the sensor data IR-Sensor Data

Is people near
No Is trash bin full? Yes
trash bin?

Yes
Text
No

Open lid

Is people still near

Yes No Close lid
trash bin?

Servo Motor
Data
Process the sensor data

Ultrasonic
Sensor Data

Send the data to Blynk

End

Fig. 10: Programming flowchart of the developed system

 III. R ESULTS AND D ISCUSSION
A. Prototype Implementation

Servo
Motor

Ultrasonic
BreadBoard sensor
IR
Sensor
Lora -
Arduino Receiver
Uno

LoRa -
Transmitor

ESP8266

Power
Bank

Fig. 11: Enter Caption

B. Experimental Results

Fig. 13: The smart trash bin when it

Fig. 12: Trash bin and mobile phone closes Fig. 14: The smart trash bin when it
opens
C. Discussion
The implementation of the IoT-based waste management system demonstrated significant improvements in the efficiency and
effectiveness of urban waste collection processes. The integration of various components, such as ultrasonic sensors, IR sensors,
servo motors, and communication modules like LoRa and ESP8266, provided a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced
by traditional waste management systems.
Efficiency in Waste Collection: The smart trash bin system successfully optimized waste collection routes based on real-time
data from the sensors. This optimization led to a reduction in the number of collection trips required, thereby saving fuel and
reducing operational costs.
User Convenience and Engagement: The system’s user-friendly interface and real-time notifications via the Blynk platform
enhanced user engagement and compliance with proper waste disposal practices.
Data Analytics and Resource Management: The cloud-based data storage allowed for comprehensive analysis and remote
management of waste data. The data analytics capabilities also provided insights into waste generation patterns, helping in
future urban planning and policy-making.
IV. C ONCLUSION
Applying IoT to trash cans enables users to remotely control their opening and closing, enhancing convenience and reducing
direct interaction. Notifications alert users when the trash is full, facilitating timely waste management and maintaining
cleanliness in urban environments. The customizable nature of Arduino allows users to tailor functionalities to specific needs,
further enhancing versatility.
The remote management system optimizes trash usage by processing waste only when necessary, thereby conserving resources
and reducing wasted effort. Studies have shown that IoT-based waste management systems can reduce unnecessary waste
collection trips by up to 30%, resulting in significant cost savings and environmental benefits. It plays a critical role in
environmental hygiene by preemptively preventing spills and leaks, thus minimizing pollution.
Operational efficiency is greatly improved through remote access and management, which not only cuts down on travel time
and costs but also enables precise scheduling of waste disposal activities. Moreover, the system enhances safety by minimizing
direct exposure to hazardous waste, promoting a safer and more efficient waste management approach.
However, the system has its limitations. It relies on a continuous power supply, which can be challenging in areas with
unreliable or insufficient power infrastructure compared to traditional trash cans. Modern advancements such as solar-powered
bins or AI-driven management systems highlight potential weaknesses in IoT-based waste management, particularly in terms of
optimization and waste analysis. Deploying and maintaining an Arduino system requires technical expertise, posing a barrier
in regions with limited technical knowledge. Additionally, the range of remote control functionality may be limited, affecting
its usability in larger spaces.
Overall, while IoT-based waste management systems offer significant advantages in efficiency, hygiene, and user convenience,
they also necessitate careful consideration of power supply, technical proficiency, and operational limitations to ensure effective
implementation.
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