Designing Smart Dustbins to spruce up surroundings - By Gaurang Sharma from ACEIT, Jaipur

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According to the Press Information Bureau, India generates 62 million tonnes of waste every year, of which less than 60% is collected and around 15% is processed. A land with a population density of 325 per square kilometers, the problem of waste management has been severely ignored by the administration. In a country that is 12 times as dense as that of the United States, it is necessary to improvise on the waste collection rate to avoid illegal dumping and burning waste at street corners and unoccupied land. 

Government’s idea of a ‘Smart Dustbin’

The Government of India launched the Smart Dustbin programme in 2018, with the prime motive of dealing with unmanaged waste. A GSM enabled bin which could automatically detect the garbage level inside it was introduced.

Smart Dustbins were to be installed underground with sensors. As soon as an object arrives near the lid, the sensors help in identification and automatically opens the lid for people to throw garbage in the dustbin. The digitally advanced bins then send a notification to the concerned municipal bodies updating the status of garbage inside them. A suction pump is then used to empty the garbage from the dustbin. Though this idea has addressed the problem of improper disposal, it has not been able to garner much public attention. A holistic solution to the garbage problem will only be to educate and spread awareness.

Making Smart Dustbins ‘Smarter’

Over 70% of the population tend to throw waste on roads, in and outside water bodies, near railway tracks, and every other possible place except for dustbins. Not only does this give a blow to the environment, but also causes harm to the flora and fauna on the ground and in water. Therefore, it is necessary to spread awareness about the ill effects of improper garbage disposal.

Another way to get more people to make use of the smart bins is to introduce an element of gamification and make the process interactive and rewarding at the same time. 

1. ‘Throw the garbage in me for latest news’

Creativity from the installed LED in smart dustbins can work wonders. A sad smiley with a quote like ‘Throw the garbage in me for the latest news/interesting fact/quote’ will make the process engaging and may lead to repeated use. People usually do not prefer negativity around, and turning of a sad smile to a happy face will definitely bring emotional stability.

2. Dump and Earn

Who doesn’t love to be rewarded? Upon dumping of garbage, the same LED screen should display a barcode that can be scanned only once at a time using the application developed to monitor smart dustbins. Every time a person scans that bar code, credit points will be added in his/her account. It is similar to some apps that credit points for the steps a person walks each day.

3. Self-compartmentalize, because unity here is not allowed

We have seen municipalities installing two different dustbins for wet and dry waste, but still not getting desired output. What if the dustbin itself is able to segregate? Yes, that’s possible. Installation of moisture sensors can help in detection of garbage content. The dustbin will then separate the garbage by itself with the help of these sensors.

4. Now bins will water the land

The Smart Dustbins can have pores or a passway at the bottom to allow the flow of accumulated liquid transferred directly into the soil. We are aware that a lot of waste contains liquid content, which if remained in dustbin will not only make it dirty, but might also hamper its digital working. So, a method like this can help in keeping the dustbin clean.

A huge amount has already been invested in the Smart Dustbins project, but the problem lies unaddressed even today. Though nowhere can the project’s worth be denied, if certain modifications can help show a ray of hope, then why not implement them. It is also necessary for the government and civil society to work together to make India a hygienic, clean and free nation from diseases.

This article was submitted as an entry to TechSpeak- You Innovate, We Narrate!