IoT-enabled smart waste management: applications, adoption barriers, and mitigation strategies in the Indian scenario

Waste management remains a pressing issue worldwide, with challenges varying significantly between developed and developing nations. Although developed countries leverage advanced technologies for efficient waste management, developing nations like India face economic, infrastructural, and technological constraints in implementing smart city initiatives. Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart Waste Management (SWM) has emerged as a promising solution to address inefficiencies such as irregular waste collection, overflowing bins, and environmental pollution. This review consolidates existing IoT-enabled SWM solutions, focusing on their applicability in the Indian context. It examines technological components, including hardware and software frameworks, and evaluates the barriers hindering widespread adoption, such as financial limitations, policy gaps, and technical challenges. Furthermore, this study proposes strategic mitigation measures to overcome these challenges, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of IoT-driven waste management solutions. By providing a structured analysis of the existing systems and their limitations, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of how IoT can revolutionize waste management practices in developing nations.