Automatic Waste Segregation And Management

Abstract- With the development of smart cities, the idea of keeping the cities clean is the utmost requirement. The amount of garbage produced is too large and the manual efforts put in to process it is very dangerous. With evolution of technology in every field, automated ways can be adopted to prevent the piling of the garbage. The waste segregator is designed to provide ease in the disposal of waste that is collected. The system consists of three bins each one for dry, wet and metallic waste. The conveyer belt system detects the incoming waste and classifies it as dry, wet or metal with the help of different sensors attached in the system and deflects it in the respective bin. The deflection procedure is carried out by the servo motors which are programmed according to the working. This facilitates in processing the different kinds of waste as per the requirement. The garbage level in each of bins is monitored using the ultrasonic sensors present in every bin. The notification is then sent to the concerned authorities for emptying the bin. The whole setup brings about automation and hence reduces the human intervention required in segregating the waste and provides successful collection of the garbage from the bin at appropriate time. The system is driven by a microcontroller Arduino UNO, and the sensors are programmed using Embedded C.

Keywords- Dry, wet, metal, sensors, Arduino UNO, Embedded C

I. Introduction

With the increase in population year after year, the amount of waste generated is increasing tremendously. This has lead to many hazardous problems. The accumulation of the waste in large areas of land results in the formation of landfills which has far fetched consequences. The odour of the rotten waste pollutes the surrounding environment and gives foul smell. The disposal of the waste in water bodies contaminates all the linking oceans and seas which affect the quality of drinking water and also the lives of the water animals. The toxic gases are released into the air and in turn the whole ecosystem is affected. Therefore waste management is a very serious issue in today’s world. If the waste is effectively handled at the production level, a lot of things can be changed and prevented.

The segregation of waste into wet, dry and metallic categories can help in discarding the waste appropriately and in implementing the principle of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle to a large extent. The wet waste can be decomposed to produce manure for the plants, the metallic waste can be and dry waste can be recycled. Thus the Automatic Waste Segregator has a lot of applications in the management of the waste. The system separates the waste in 3 different bins under the category of wet, dry and metallic. The sensors are used for the detection of the type of waste. The level of the garbage in the bins is monitored continuously so that the bins don’t overflow and they are emptied in apt time. The notification is sent to the concerned authority with the location at which the pin is placed. This helps in decreasing the man force required to check the bins from time to time.

Fig. 1. Principle of waste management

II. Related Works

Waste Segregation using Deep Learning Algorithm

The paper depicts automatic waste classification using Convolution Neural Network. It is based on Deep Learning based image classification which separates the waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories. Deep learning allows processing of multiple layers through the computational models in order to learn data representations with abstraction of many layers. It is suitable for large amount of waste. Webcam with python index package of Spyder is used to classify the materials in real time. Tensor flow and Spyder are the open source software libraries that are used. The training process is very time consuming. It prevents manual work to a large extent. The system reduces pollution level to a large extend and has a possibility of becoming a large framework in the coming years. [1]

Waste Management using Internet of Things (IoT)

This paper studies the amount of time and money that is wasted due to the scheduled visits to the dustbins in the area. Sometimes the workers find the bins to be overflowing and sometimes the bins are not even filled to the brim. This leads to inefficiency in proper collection of waste and is harmful for the environment. Therefore a smart bin which is solar powered that compacts the waste is made. The sensor present in it monitors how much waste has been accumulated and automatically compacts the waste so that it can holds up to 10 times of the normal bins. It also wirelessly transmits fill level information to cloud server. The smart bin can be used as a Wi-Fi hotspot and is powered by either battery or solar energy. It senses how much waste is inside the container and wirelessly transmits fill level information to cloud server. This results in efficient use of time and keeps the streets cleaner. [2]

IOT Based Smart Garbage Monitoring and Alert System Using Arduino UNO

The main theme of this paper is to develop a smart alert system for garbage clearance by giving an alert signal to the municipal web server for instant cleaning of dust bin with proper verification based on level of garbage filling. This process is aided by the ultrasonic sensor which is interfaced with Arduino UNO to check the level of garbage filled in the dust bin. The whole process is upheld by an embedded module integrated by using GSM and GPS with IOT facilitation. An Android application is developed and linked to a web server to intimate the alert form the microcontroller to the urban office and to perform the remote monitoring. [3]

Standalone Frequency Based Automated Trash Bin and Segregator of Plastic Bottles and Tin Cans

The paper shows how a piezoelectric microphone system for input signal acquisition can be used and a comparator for noise elimination. The system relies on the average frequency response of the object as it hits the platform. The decision is taken by the microcontroller Arduino. The platform used is made of galvanized iron connected to a DC motor that physically segregates the objects. There was an overlap between the frequencies of the plastic bottles and tin cans for averaged frequencies although there were few samples which cause the overlap. When the cap of the plastic bottle hits the platform first, results showed the system’s accuracy when the plastic bottle’s cap hits the platform first was higher compared to the former. [4]

Eco-Friendly IOT Based Waste Segregation and Management

The paper studies the effective and efficient methods of collection and segregation of waste at domestic level based on their nature of composition. The metal, plastic and biodegradable waste is stored accordingly in their respective segments of the dustbin. The biodegradable waste is detected by the emission of methane gas produced by it and then liquid is sprayed when the gas reaches a particular value. Wi-Fi module is connected to the data service, to continuously monitor the threshold level of the waste in the dustbin. Once the threshold level is reached, message is sent to the user that the particular segment is filled and it has to be disposed. STM32 controller is used to carry out all the activities in the dustbin. Similarly the metal as well as plastic wastes are detected and segregated into their respective segments using inductive and capacitive sensors. [5]

Automated Waste Segregator

This paper proposes an Automated Waste Segregator (AWS) which is a cheap, easy to use solution for a segregation system for household use, so that it can be sent directly for processing. It is designed to sort the refuse into metallic waste, wet waste and dry waste. It uses parallel resonant impedance sensing mechanism to identify metallic items, and capacitive sensors to distinguish between wet and dry waste. It can segregate only one type of waste at a time with an assigned priority for metal, wet and dry waste. Thus, improvements can be made to segregate mixed type of waste by the use of buffer spaces. Since, the time for sensing metal objects is low the entire sensing module can be placed along a single platform where the object is stable to ensure better results. [6]

A Novel Approach For Waste Segregation At Source Level For Effective Generation Of Electricity -GREENBIN

The paper depicts that the technology to automate segregation of dry waste into paper, plastics, metal and glass is available at commercial level. Even though the waste is being separated, the quality of the segregated materials is affected when it is contaminated. The Green Bin is designed for automated waste segregation at domestic level itself. It consists of capacitive based moisture sensor, inductive based metal sensor, methane sensor and odour sensor. It is using the capacitive based moisture sensor to determine the moisture level content in the waste. The inductive based metal sensor is used to determine the presence of metal in the waste. The methane sensor is used to confirm the availability of food waste. [7]

III. Methodology

The Automatic Waste Segregator System is driven by the Microcontroller Arduino UNO. All the components that are connected to Arduino UNO is programmed using the Arduino IDE. The programs are written in Embedded C language and reads the input/output pins of the components. The conveyor system moves when it senses the garbage. The servo motors are present to deviate the wet, dry and metallic waste into the specific bins. The metallic waste is identified by the Inductive Proximity sensors. The dry waste has paper and plastic which is differentiated using the Capacitive Proximity sensor. The wet waste is examined with the help of Moisture sensor. The dustbin level is read by the Ultrasonic sensor fitted at the top of the dustbin. When the dustbin is full, a message- “BIN IS FULL” is sent to the cleaning authorities. The message is sent using the GSM module that provides the communication between the bin and the authority. The location of the bin can also be sent. The location is known with the help of GPS module that is connected to the system.

Fig. 2. Flow Diagram of the Automatic Waste Segregator and Management System

IV. Hardware Requirements

ARDUINO UNO- Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino board designs use a variety of microprocessors and controllers. The boards are equipped with sets of digital and analog input/output pins that may be interfaced to various expansion boards or breadboards and other circuits. The microcontrollers can be programmed using Embedded C and C++ programming languages. In addition to using traditional compiler tool chains, the Arduino project provides an integrated development environment (IDE) based on the Processing language project. Current Arduino boards are programmed via Universal Serial Bus (USB).

1. For Segregation:

• CONVEYOR BELT- A conveyor belt is the carrying medium of a belt conveyor system. A belt conveyor system consists of two or more pulleys, with an endless loop of carrying medium—the conveyor belt—that rotates about them. One or both of the pulleys are powered, moving the belt and the material on the belt forward. The powered pulley is called the drive pulley while the unpowered pulley is called the idler pulley.
• DC MOTOR- It is used to drive the conveyor belt. It is interfaced with the Arduino UNO by means of L298 bridge IC. A DC motor is any of a class of rotary electrical motors that converts direct current electrical energy into mechanical energy. A DC motor’s speed can be controlled over a wide range, using either a variable supply voltage or by changing the strength of current in its field windings.
• SERVO MOTOR- It is used to deflect the waste to the respective bins. A servomotor is a rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows for precise control of angular or linear position, velocity and acceleration. It consists of a suitable motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback. The input to its control is a signal (either analog or digital) representing the position commanded for the output shaft.
• MOISTURE SENSOR- It is used to identify if the garbage is wet or dry. The moisture content of the waste is tested and accordingly it is dropped in the appropriate dustbin.
• PROXIMITY SENSOR- A proximity sensor is a sensor able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. A proximity sensor often emits an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation and looks for changes in the field or return signal. A capacitive proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor might be suitable for a plastic target; an inductive proximity sensor always requires a metal target. Inductive proximity sensor is used to identify the metallic waste. The Capacitive proximity sensor is used to identify and differentiate between paper and plastic.

2. For Detection Of Waste Level:

• ULTRASONIC SENSOR- It is used to determine the garbage level of the bin. Ultrasonic transducers or ultrasonic sensors are a type of acoustic sensor divided into three broad categories: transmitters, receivers and transceivers. Transmitters convert electrical signals into ultrasound, receivers convert ultrasound into electrical signals, and transceivers can both transmit and receive ultrasound. Ultrasonic transducers are used in systems which evaluate targets by interpreting the reflected signals.
• GSM MODULE-It is hardware device that uses GSM mobile telephone technology to provide a data link to a remote network. It is like a sim that is connected to the Arduino with different types of output taken from the board. The board will have pins to take out +5V or other values of power and ground connections. It provides TTL-level serial interfaces to the host.
• GPS MODULE- It is a navigation device that is connected with the Arduino UNO that uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to track determine the location of the bin. The recorded location is sent to the authorities using the GSM module embedded in the unit.

Fig. 3. Block Diagram of the Automatic Waste Segregation and Management System

V. Software Requirements

Arduino IDE- A cross platform application that has functions written in Embedded C and C++. It is used to write and upload programs to Arduino boards. The program was written in Embedded C for the working of the hardware components. The program consisted of separate methods for the detection of metallic, dry and wet waste. One method was written for sending the message to the authorities along with the location of the bin. The location of the bin was determined by another method that programmed the GPS module. The program code written on Arduino IDE was then fed to the Arduino for the working of the whole system.

VI. CONCLUSION

VII. References

1. R.S.Sandhya Devi, Vijaykumar VR , M.Muthumeena, “Waste Segregation using Deep Learning Algorithm”, International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering
2. Himadri Nath Saha, Supratim Auddy, Subrata Pal, Shubham Kumar, Shivesh Pandey, Rakhee Singh, Amrendra Kumar Singh, Swarnadeep Banerjee, Debmalya Ghosh, Sanhita Saha, “Waste Management using Internet of Things (IoT)”, IEEE 2017
3. K.Harika, Muneerunnisa, V.Rajasekhar, P.Venkateswara Rao, L.J.N SreeLakshmi, “IOT Based Smart Garbage Monitoring and Alert System Using Arduino UNO”,
4. Marloun SEJERA, Joseph Bryan IBARRA, Anrol Sarah CANARE, Lyra ESCANO, Dianne Claudinne MAPANOO, John Phillip SUAVISO, “Standalone Frequency Based Automated Trash Bin and Segregator of Plastic Bottles and Tin Cans ”, IEEE 2016
5. Santhosh Kumar B R, Varalakshmi N, Soundarya S Lokeshwari, Rohit K, Manjunath, Sahana D N, “Eco-Friendly IOT Based Waste Segregation and Management”, IEEE 2017
6. Amrutha Chandramohan, Joyal Mendonca, Nikhil Ravi Shankar, Nikhil U Baheti, Nitin Kumar Krishnan, Suma M S “Automated Waste Segregator”, IEEE 2016
7. Rajkamal R, Anitha V, Gomathi Nayaki P, Ramya K, Kayalvizhi E, “A Novel Approach For Waste Segregation At Source Level For Effective Generation Of Electricity – GREENBIN”