Towards a Sustainable Future of Smart Cities: IoT-Based Smart Waste Management System

Abstract

As cities become increasingly populated, in this research a smart waste management system for Al-Duqm smart city is proposed. This fact will utilize the advanced technologies as one of Oman vision 2040 for the fulfilment of the goals intended. The efficiency of waste collection, transportation and disposal will be improved, reduced cost and environmentally sustainable if managed through the system. In light of such challenges, the following smart waste management system for Al-Duqm smart city is presented. This versatile system will be based on the modern technologies: IoT technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning for set up waste collection, transport and elimination. Such as the buildup of waste in dustbin and dumpsters, IoT devises can be utilized to track and manage the buildup of wastes by enabling timely collection. The proposed hardware for this project are: an Atmega microcontroller, ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, LCD display, buzzer, and various electronic elements. Software infrastructure includes the Arduino compiler and IOT Gecko platform, programmed in the C language. Likewise, artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms can provide a real-time prediction and identify efficient routes, frequency and transport modes and methods of waste collection thus reduce waste management cost. Besides increasing effectiveness and decreasing expenses, smart waste management systems also can deliver a major environmental effect as well. If the waste collection, transportation and disposal are effectively managed, then the fuel burned in waste collection vehicles will be less and therefore carbon emission standards as well as other polluting agents will also lessen. Also, a smart waste management system helps to avoid putrid smell through taking more waste from landfills through recycling as well as composting process therefore reducing more negative impacts of landfill on the environment. Thus, it is recommended that – Al-Duqm smart city should adopt an efficient and effective strategy of waste management utilizing modern technologies and using different methods of waste collection and transportation to make it economical and environment friendly.