Smart Waste Management System: A Case Study of Mugonero District Hospital

Waste monitoring and management remain significant challenges in many hospitals in Rwanda, with current systems proving largely ineffective and leading to poor waste collection practices. Overflowing dustbins, caused by inadequate monitoring and collection, are common in hospital departments, resulting in unpleasant odours and heightened risks of infection. Timely and regular waste collection is crucial to prevent overfilled bins and reduce exposure to hazards. To address these issues, this study proposes a “Smart Waste Management System” tailored for hospital environments. The system utilizes an ESP8266 microcontroller and ultrasonic sensors to monitor waste levels and provide insights into the type and quantity of waste. The data is transmitted to a web application, enabling real-time visualization and interpretation for prompt decision-making. The implementation of this system demonstrates significant improvements, effectively addressing inefficiencies in traditional hospital waste management through real-time monitoring, data transmission, and visualization, making it a practical and efficient solution for enhancing waste management practices.