Smart Garbin: An IoT-Based Waste Management System with Reward Mechanism

Improper waste disposal remains a major challenge in urban environments, leading to environmental degradation, health hazards, and inefficient waste management practices. Traditional waste collection systems often lack user engagement and fail to motivate individuals to adopt responsible disposal habits. To address this issue, this paper presents Smart Garbin, an IoT-based intelligent waste management system that introduces a reward-driven approach to encourage public participation in maintaining cleanliness. The proposed system integrates a load cell sensor with a microcontroller to accurately measure the weight of waste deposited into the dustbin. A keypad-based authentication mechanism, using a unique User ID and PIN, ensures secure and personalized user identification before waste disposal. Once the waste is deposited, the measured data is transmitted through an ESP8266 WiFi module to a Django-based web application via RESTful APIs. The backend system processes the data in real time, calculates the reward based on a predefined rate (₹6 per kilogram), updates the user’s digital wallet, and generates instant notifications. Additionally, the system maintains transaction records, user statistics, and a notification history, providing transparency and enhancing user experience. The integration of embedded systems with web technologies demonstrates a scalable and cost-effective solution suitable for smart city applications. By combining environmental responsibility with financial incentives, Smart Garbin not only improves waste management efficiency but also promotes behavioral change among users, encouraging sustainable and eco-friendly practices.