Smart bin: an iot based smart waste management system

Abstract Urban waste management remains a critical challenge for rapidly growing cities like Pune, where inefficient collection schedules, lack of real-time bin fill data, and low citizen engagement lead to overflowing bins, health hazards, and operational inefficiencies. This study proposes SmartBin Pune – an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dual-bin waste monitoring system that integrates fill-level detection for wet and dry waste separately using ultrasonic and infrared sensors. Unlike conventional waste management systems with limited intelligence and manual monitoring, the proposed system employs ESP32-based microcontroller architecture, MQTT protocol for efficient real-time communication, and automated servo-controlled lids for controlled waste disposal. Real-time monitoring and citizen engagement are facilitated through IoT frameworks, enabling data transmission via HiveMQ Cloud for analytics, predictive maintenance, and user interaction through web dashboards. The system incorporates a gamification-based points system that incentivizes citizens for proper waste segregation and timely disposal. Experimental evaluation demonstrates improved waste collection efficiency, reduced operational costs, enhanced citizen participation, and reliable system performance. Results confirm accurate fill-level detection (±5%), low MQTT latency (150–400 ms), stable connectivity, and robust operation under diverse environmental conditions.