Intelligent Waste Segregator: Waste Segregation, Analysis and Path Optimisation

Abstract

The amount of waste dumped every year is a staggering2.12 billion tonnes and this value is only going to increase in the coming years. Most of this waste is either reusable or recyclable. However, due to the lack of a proper waste management system, the waste just goes to the landfills without proper segregation. This paper aims at tackling  the most important problem of waste management - segregation. With the launch of the Swachh Bharat Ab- hiyan, Government of India has indicated that cleanliness, sanitation and public hygiene are among its top priorities. To help accomplish these objectives, the paper focuses on segregation of waste into dry, wet, plastic and metal. Dry, wet and metallic waste are segregated based on their dielec- tric values. Dry waste can be further segregated into plastic waste and other dry wastes such as paper, wood, glass, cloth and such items through image processing. This paper also discusses the path optimisation for waste collection and an IoT based android application that allows its users to manage their waste more efficiently based on analytical services provided. Thus, with functionalities such  as  waste identification, waste segregation and an optimized waste collection system, the Intelligent Waste Segregator truly becomes a smart bin which helps us in achieving    our mission towards becoming a cleaner and greener world.