Smart Waste Segregation

Abstract

The amount of waste generated is increasing at a rapid rate. This is due to the growth in population which in turn leads to urbanization and economic development. According to an estimate, the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of solid waste annually. By 2050, the expected growth in the amount of waste generated will be increased to 3.04 billion. Many countries, at present are facing lots of issues regarding the proper collection, segregation, and disposal of the solid waste generated. Improper methods adopted for the same can lead to various environmental hazards and can impact the health of the inhabitants. The economic value of waste is realized only after it is segregated. As the slogan states “Recycle today, for a better tomorrow”, the most important step in recycling waste is its proper segregation. This is better utilized if the segregation is at the source itself. In the present scenario, there is no one-stop solution that segregates solid waste into categories such as glasses, plastics, metals, and wet waste at the source of their generation itself. Most of the solid waste namely, glass and plastics are recyclable. Therefore, the proposed solution aims to segregate the wastes into the aforementioned categories with the help of various sensors available and automate the process of segregation, thereby reducing the manpower required for segregation which in turn reduces the occupational hazards of the manual workers.