Smart Waste Management System

Abstract

With the rapid growth of urbanization and population, waste generation has become a major concern for cities worldwide. Traditional waste disposal methods, including manual sorting, are inefficient, error-prone, and contribute to environmental pollution by allowing recyclable and biodegradable waste to be dumped in landfills. To address this issue, this project presents a Smart Waste Management System that automates the segregation of waste using sensor technology and embedded systems. The proposed model utilizes an Arduino-based control system equipped with sensors and a servo-controlled rotating mechanism to identify and segregate waste into three categories: wet, dry, and metallic. The upper chamber acts as an intake unit where waste is dropped. Sensors analyze the waste type, and the rotator aligns the top bin over the correct container (green for wet, yellow for dry, red for metal), allowing gravity to drop the waste into the corresponding bin. The system minimizes manual intervention and ensures effective separation at the source. This prototype is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and scalable for household, institutional, or community-level deployment. The project demonstrates how automation and smart electronics can revolutionize waste management practices and contribute to a cleaner, sustainable environment.