IoT Technology in Urban Waste Management: Smart Waste Bin Systems

Abstract

With the acceleration of urbanization, municipal waste management has become a critical research topic. Concurrently, the Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly evolving, closely paralleling the urbanization process. Many researchers have attempted to integrate IoT into municipal waste management, achieving notable results. However, there remains a significant gap in the development of smart waste bins, which serve as the nerve endings of IoT waste management systems. This paper proposes a smart waste bin design concept based on the STM32 microcontroller for real-time monitoring and management of urban waste, exploring the application of IoT in this domain. The smart waste bin integrates sensors, control systems, and Internet technologies to facilitate remote monitoring and automated control. Through real-time monitoring with components such as infrared sensors and MQ2 sensors, the system collects essential waste bin parameters. These parameters are then transmitted to the network using a GSM module. Simultaneously, users can remotely monitor and control the smart waste bin via a mobile application, allowing them to check the bin's capacity, receive alarm notifications, and remotely manage the bin's status. This design significantly enhances the efficiency of waste bin management in cities with decentralized locations, offering a convenient and intelligent solution for urban waste management and IoT applications. Despite these advancements, there is considerable room for improvement in the interaction capabilities of smart bins with IoT systems, users, and managers, as well as in their design and cost-efficiency.