Smart Trashcan: For Pre-Sorting of Waste

Waste output has significantly increased as a result of rapid urbanization and industrialization, endangering the environment and public health. Conventional waste management techniques are labor-intensive, ineffective, and prone to contamination because they mostly rely on manual segregation. According to this study, a smart trashcan with sensor-based technology that automatically detects and separates waste into three categories—dry, wet, and metal—should be developed. To categorize waste types, the device combines moisture (raindrop), infrared (IR), and inductive proximity sensors with an Arduino Uno microcontroller. A servo motor operates a flap mechanism for disposing of garbage, and a stepper motor is used to move the matching bin. A buzzer is used to convey real-time alerts. The design prioritizes minimizing human involvement and encouraging sanitary handling and improving the effectiveness of recycling. According to extensive testing, the Smart Trashcan can sort items in an average of 3.3 seconds and reach a classification accuracy of up to 98.5%. The suggested method has a great deal of potential for usage in homes, public areas, educational institutions, and commercial facilities, supporting more intelligent and sustainable waste management techniques.