CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background
Nowadays many people prefer to shop in supermarkets because there are a variety of goods
from raw materials to cook up household items. With the presence of many visitors to the
supermarket will generate a lot of waste disposal problems and can lead to the trash cannot
cope with the amount of waste that much that sometimes it overflows. This is because the
cleaning of waste management is not very sensitive to the situation full of trash. Most of the
available bins of supermarkets or public areas not be collected on time and sometimes it was
full of trash rapidly due to the many visitors who shop at supermarkets. So the model is
designed bins to resolve this issue. When found bins are full, short message will be sent to the
garbage collector to collect the waste.
In this project is combines knowledge in the field of telecommunications and computing.
Sending short messages via a modem that is GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
mobile phones to be used and studied and practiced to this project. The project also uses the C
programming to PIC was also used and studied and applied to the control circuit.

1.2 Problem Statement

The world today is moving fast along with the rapid flow of technology. A long with it, people
have to move fast so it not misses out by modernity technology that available in the world
today. Now with changing this time is need to make some application or product that very
useful for all segment of society without thinking their status.

If seen in the market most of dustbins are manually operated and it will use leg and hand for
open the cover of dustbin that can allow a person to dispose the rubbish. But it very difficult for
the persons with disabilities. This dustbin is not user –friendly system dustbin because it only
can use for normal people and not for person with disabilities.
In the hypermarket it will more of dustbin that be prepared, it will make easy to people for
dispose of rubbish. But some time, when the rubbish is overloading the management team
cleanup is slow to take the action for the collected rubbish. This is because cleaner not accept

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the instruction or information about the overflow rubbish inside the dustbin. For monitoring
the dustbin it still use the old-fashioned way and it is not very efficient for this age, so created
this project can make the work clean faster and easier.
Other problem that can see is many people not interested to use dustbin for littering because
they not interesting to came near the dustbin. So this project can attract attention people to
use dustbin because it very easy to use and it is a very modern system.

1.3 MOTIVATION

 India with clean households has dirty streets, people find themselves lazy to throw
away waste to garbage bins rather dispose waste in open. The county dreaming of smart cities
not only has to have concern on electric power management, vehicle traffic and pollution
management, water supply and management but also has to have a greater deal on waste
collection –segregation – transport –disposal and complete control and management of these .
Hence it is highly essential to keep track on fill levels of garbage bins, intelligently plan
collection routes, and optimize human and machine numbers and their work efficiency. Data-
analysis done on information gathered in servers can be used for proper control, policy making
and budget planning for maintenance of the complete system. This can very well be
accomplished by the data gathered by the servers sent by smart sensors.
Collection based on route-maps planned on data gathered, reduces collection costs,
vehicle count on task, emissions, road and vehicle wear, noise pollution. It also significantly
reduces work hours and human resource assigned, which is a big saving in organization’s
budget.

Both solutions which are proposed above in abstract are unique and efficient in
complete waste management of a city/locality, which as a whole aids for maintenance of
cleanliness and hygiene of city and also in proper waste management. 

1.4 Aims and Objectives

The purpose of this project is to provide some project that can monitor the dustbin using the
new technology.

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1. To develop a prototype of the smart dustbin monitoring system, when the trash inside the
dustbin is full it will automatically detects by the sensor system.

2. To develop a system that can send information from one place to another place without any
limitation

3. To integrate the project of dustbin that uses the communication system for sending
information data and it also can provide the user-friendly system.

1.5 Purpose of the Study

The project is about monitoring the dustbin inside the hypermarket. This project is more
suitable for area inside hypermarket or in the specific area. The focus of this project is make
easy for cleaner collect the overload garbage without waste of time, they will came collect
when get the message.
The projects have use Arduino Uno Board because it can control the sensor, motor and GSM to
run the function. This project have use software and hardware component. For the software
application it will apply to active the component and run the application GSM to make the
connection between dustbin and management. The message full rubbish will send to supervisor
for the information and will be notified to cleaner for collect the rubbish.
On the order hand, here are the limitation of this project
 This project are focus on the hypermarket or specific area

 The dustbin will operate when human approaching the sensor and the cover will open

 This dustbin will only send the message to department of cleaning management

 The project will become user-friendly that can use for all type of people whether normal
or persons with disabilities.

1.5.1 The basic concept of Arduino Uno Board

In this project, Arduino board is use to become the main system that can control or conduct
other device for make it function properly. The Arduino board can be programmed with the
Arduino Software (IDE). This programmed can control the device electronic that use for the

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system. The coding of device that want be use can define in the Arduino Software system or in
internet.

1.5.2 GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) is a cellular network and it means that cell
phones connect to it by searching for cells in the immediate vicinity. The GSM module that use
can be programmed by the Arduino software to making the call or sending massage.

1.6 Project Significance

The expectation of this project is to solve problem rubbish not collect and make the ease for
monitoring the dustbin. It also becomes the user-friendly dustbin that can use for all type of
people. Cleaner can collect the rubbish when get information that dustbin is full, so it will save
time for them to make the collect rubbish without go to the dustbin and make checking. It also
can help cleaner to do other work and not focus to collect the rubbish in every time. When the
rubbish are collected in very smart and faster so it can avoid from the spread bacteria. This
project can also ensure full rubbish can be collect as soon as possible without allowing it to
overflow. If rubbish not collected it will affect our views and also will effectuation odor
pollution. From this project it can solve the problem that faced by the management of cleaning.
Other expectation for this project is use the new application or system that is GSM for
monitoring the full rubbish. This project will became the one of the project can help people for
their convenience.

1.7 Organization of the Work

Chapter 1: The first chapter introduces brief idea of the project. It focused on the overview of
the project, detailing the objectives, the problem statement, scope and outcome of the project.
Chapter 2:
Projects background is discussed in this chapter. The method concept, theory, and some
characteristic of component of hardware that used in this project is discussed in this chapter.

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This chapter also contain a definition of term used in this project also discusses the concept of
the research and how it related with the theory.
Chapter3:
This section is methodology chapter. Methodology chapter is a schedule or steps that need to
be complete, detailed reports of studies done to achieve aim objective. This chapter explains
the procedure taken to complete the project. It consist the detail development of this project.
Chapter4:
The chapter four is about the implementation and evaluation of the system. All the
specifications, data collection, algorithm, flowcharts and analysis obtained were discussed in
detail.
Chapter 5:
The chapter five is about the conclusion and future work. In this section, we will conclude what
we have done and followed by some recommendation on how to improve the performance of
the system based on the desired results.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Here are the meanings of some terminologies:

 Internet of things (IoT) is the inter-networking of physical devices, vehicles (also

referred to as "connected devices" and "smart devices"), buildings, and other items
embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity
which enable these objects to collect and exchange data.
 Hypermarket – is a very large store with a wide range of goods and a large parking lot,
typically situated outside a town.
 Sensor is an electronic component, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to detect
events or changes in its environment and send the information to other electronics,
frequently a computer processor.
 Arduino is an open source computer hardware and software company, project, and user
community that designs and manufactures single-board microcontrollers and

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 microcontroller kits for building digital devices and interactive objects that can sense
and control objects in the physical world.

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introductions
In this chapter will explain and discuss about the component and the previous study or research
that use for Project Smart Dustbin using GSM. There are previous researches on roughness in
smart dustbin system that has using the different circuit and application. It also has use the
different method, material and experiment design to obtain the problem of waste. In addition,
in this chapter it will be include about the GSM system, type of sensor and the PIC
microcontroller used in previous research.
2.1.1 Dustbin application
(Shove, 2007)Dustbins are important in life people can throw garbage in it. Without it the earth
would be cover with garbage. It became important equipment in a company or big
supermarkets because they have a garbage disposal system are important in order to secure
their garbage waste management and orderly.
Although an intrinsic part of our everyday routines, the dustbin's role as a mediator of changing
waste practices has rarely been considered. As bins become reconfigured as environmental
technologies for contemporary recycling programmes, is argued that they provide a revealing
indicator of new waste relationships in society.

2.2 Waste Issues

Waste is defined as discarded material which has no value in normal use or for ordinary use.
Solid wastes are those undesirable, useless and unwanted materials and substances that comes
from human and animal activities (http://www.recycling-waste.blogspot.in/2009). In some
cases what one person discards may be reused by somebody else
(http://www.harenvironment.gov.in).
Waste, or rubbish, trash, junk, garbage, depending on the type of material or the regional
terminology, is an unwanted or undesired material or substance. It may consist of the
unwanted materials left over from a manufacturing process (industrial, commercial, mining or

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agricultural operations) or from community and household activities ( www.fullcycle.co.za,
2009).
Waste is generated in all sorts of ways. Its composition and volume largely depend on
consumption patterns and the industrial and economic structures in place.
Air quality, water and soil contamination, space consumption and odors all affect our quality of
life (www.grida.no, 2013)
Wastes are materials that are not prime products (that is products produced for the market) for
which the generator has no further use in terms of one’s own purposes of production,
transformation or consumption, and of which one wants to dispose.
Wastes may be generated during the extraction of raw materials, the processing of raw
materials into intermediate and final products, the consumption of final products, and other
human activities. Residuals recycled or reused at the place of generation are excluded (The
United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), 2013).
"Waste" is everything that no longer has a use or purpose and needs to be disposed. The right
term certainly applies to discarded material, but there are specific definitions for waste that
affect how waste is regulated and must be handled (www.avma.org, 2013).
Pollution and diseases, human - induced climate change is increasingly recognized as a crucial
threat and natural variability. Climate change is altering migratory species patterns, causing
coral bleaching, etc. (Subramani, 2012).
Ecosystems maintain global environmental balance. Anything that alters the function of
ecosystems creates an imbalance that affects all life on Earth (www.ehow.com, 2013).
On account of the increasing industrialization and rapid growth of population, the solid wastes
generation has not only increased but its nature has also been changed. In this context proper
solid waste management is highly required to save public health and to protect environment.
Environmental pollution needs diverse innovative technologies and managerial plans for better
remedies. We should also encourage Methodology private and community effort to reuse
discarded material
(http://www.huntingtonstudygroup.org/Portals/BecomingASiteGreenGlobe.jpg)

2.3 Classification of Waste

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In India especially in rural areas, waste is a severe threat to the public health concern and
cleanliness. The absence of disposal of solid and liquid waste are leading through vector borne
diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, polio, dengue, cholera, typhoid, and other water born
infection such as schistosomiasis. Eighty eight percentage of the total disease load is due to lack
of clean water and sanitation and the improper solid and liquid waste management which
intensify their occurrence (http//:www.indiasanitationportal.org).

2.3.1 Types of waste:

Waste is any material/ liquid that is thrown away as unwanted. As per physical properties,
waste can be categorized as A. solid waste and B. liquid waste (UNICEF, 2012).

2.3.1.1 Solid Waste:

Any waste other than human excreta, urine and waste water is called solid waste. Solid waste in
rural areas generally includes house sweeping, kitchen waste, garden waste, cattle dung and
waste from cattle shades, agro waste, broken glass, metal, waste paper, plastic, cloths, rubber,
waste form markets and shopping areas, hotel, etc. solid waste can also be defined as the
organic and inorganic waste materials produced by households, commercial and industrial
establishment that have no economic value to the owner.
Solid waste means any garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water
supply treatment plant, or an air pollution control facility and other discarded material,
including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial,
commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities.

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 figure: solid waste
Solid waste can be classified into different types depending on their source:
a) Household waste is generally classified as municipal waste,
b) Industrial waste as hazardous waste/ hospital waste as infectious waste. Household waste is
any product labelled toxic, poison, corrosive, flammable, combustible or irritant. These include
many common hazardous waste items such as paint, batteries, oil, and pesticides. These
products, if mishandled, can be dangerous to your health and the environment, and therefore
should be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Also, these products should never
be discarded in a sink, storm drain or in your regular trash
(http://www.hood.army.mil/netzero/files/RecyclingHouseholdWasteBrochure.pdf)
a. Municipal Solid Waste
Municipal solid waste consists of household waste, construction and demolition debris,
sanitation residue, and waste from streets. This garbage is generated mainly from residential
and commercial complexes. Proper handling of the biodegradable waste will considerably
lessen the burden of solid waste that each city has to tackle
(http://www.edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/solwaste/segre.htm).
b. Hazardous waste
Industrial and hospital waste is considered hazardous as they may contain toxic substances.
Certain types of household waste are also hazardous. Hazardous wastes could be highly toxic to
humans, animals, and plants; are corrosive, highly inflammable, or explosive; and react when
exposed to certain things e.g. gases.

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India generates around 7 million tonnes of hazardous wastes every year
(http://www.environment-gency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/low_guide_v1.2_1397222.
pdf).
According to UNICEF (2006), the solid can be classified into biodegradable and non-
biodegradable waste.
As per bio-degradability, solid waste can be classified as
 Biodegradable: waste that are completely decomposed by biological
processes either in presence or in absence of air are called biodegradable. E.g. Kitchen
waste, animal dung, agricultural waste etc.
 Non-biodegradable: waste which cannot be decomposed by biological
processes is called non-biodegradable waste. These are of two types

 Recyclable: waste having economic values but destined for disposal can be
recovered and reused along with their energy value. Eg. Plastic, paper, old
cloth etc.

 Non-recyclable: waste which do not have economic value of recovery. Eg.

Carbon paper, thermo coal, tetra packs etc.

2.3.1.2 Liquid waste:

Used and unwanted water is called waste water. Black water: waste water generate in
the toilet is called “Black water”. It contains harmful pathogens

 Grey water: waste water generated in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry
is called “Grey water”. It may also contain pathogens. Creation of awareness Waste
management should primarily be focused at household level for sustainability and cost
effectiveness. Certain elements which cannot be managed at the household level should be
managed at community level.
"Bio-waste" is defined in the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) as "biodegradable
garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, restaurants, caterers and

10 | s m a r t w a s t e
retail premises, and comparable waste from food processing plants"
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/compost/, 2014).
"Biodegradable waste" is a term which is crucial to the working of the Draft Directive.
The definition given by the Commission ("any waste that is capable of undergoing anaerobic or
aerobic decomposition") was criticized as being too broad
(http://www.publications.parliament.uk).
Bio-degradable waste are the by-products which consists of natural stuff, such that when you
throw it out side nature (Small tiny atomic creatures) will degrade it and release the natural
products back to atmosphere (www.flexiguru.com,2013)

Figure: liquid waste

2.4 LITERATURE SURVEY
The garbage management in cities has to be effectively and efficiently implemented. The
various proposals were put forward and some of them already implemented. But it cannot be
considered as an effective one. So a survey was done among different proposals and this survey
paper includes survey among different methods for smart garbage management in cities using
IoT.
The paper [1] Smart Garbage Management in Smart Cities using IoT proposed a method as
follows. The level of garbage in the dustbins is detected with the help of ultrasonic sensors
system, and communicated to the authorized control room through GSM system. Arduino
microcontroller is used to interface the sensor system with GSM system. A GUI is also
developed to monitor the desired information related to the garbage for different selected
locations. This will help to manage the garbage collection efficiently. Level detector consists of

11 | s m a r t w a s t e
IR sensors which is used to detect the level of the garbage in the dustbin. The output of level
detector is given to microcontroller. Four IR sensors are used to indicate the different levels of
the amount of the garbage collected in the dustbin which is placed in public area. When the
dustbin is filled up to the highest level, the output of fourth IR receiver becomes active low. This
output is given to microcontroller to send the message to the Control room via GSM module. At
receiver, control room is present where all the activities are managing. At receiver, control
room is present where all the activities are managing. This system assures the cleaning of
dustbins soon when the garbage level reaches its maximum. If the dustbin is not cleaned in
specific time, then the record is sent to the higher authority who can take appropriate action
against the concerned contractor. This system also helps to monitor the fake reports and hence
can reduce the corruption in the overall management system. This reduce the total number of
trips of garbage collection vehicle and hence reduce the overall expenditure associated with the
garbage collection. It ultimate helps to keep cleanness in the society. Therefore, the smart
garbage management system makes the garbage collection more efficient.
Another method for garbage management is introduced [2] as follows. A dustbin is interfaced
with microcontroller based system having IR wireless systems along with central system
showing current status of garbage, on mobile web browser with html page by Wi-Fi. Hence the
status will be updated on to the html page. There by to reduce human resources and efforts
along with the enhancement of a smart city vision. Considering the need of modern technology,
the smart garbage bin can expensive but considering the amount of dustbin needed in India,
there for they used based sensors to reduce its cost and also make it efficient in applications.
And at the sender side they used only a Wi-Fi module to send and receive data. But because of
the use of weight sensor for detection of amount of garbage in dustbin. It will only detect the
weight of waste; not how much level it is of. The message can be sent directly to the cleaning
vehicle instead of the contractor’s office. Thus garbage bins are managed.
A Geographical Information System (GIS) transportation model for solid waste collection that
elaborates plans for waste storage, collection and disposal has been proposed in [3] for the city
of Asansol in India. An enhanced routing and scheduling waste collection model is proposed for
the Eastern Finland, featuring the usage of a guided variable neighborhood thresholding

12 | s m a r t w a s t e
metaheuristic. The aim of the research was to develop an optimal schedule for trucks on
defined collection routes. The data from the bins are processed in the DSS and if it is correct it is
sent to organizers of waste collection in this particular place and to the road police. The truck
driver doesn't waste time for waiting, he/she goes to the next point and the route is
dynamically recounted. When the problem is solved the system recounts the route for one of
the available trucks and the waste from unlocked bin is collected. It is combined with dynamic
routing algorithms to maximize the efficiency of waste collection.
A survey presented in [4] reviews the researches done on waste collection in developing
countries from 2005 to 2011 and considers challenges for developing countries in waste
collection sphere. The research focuses on determination the stakeholders actions/behavior
and evaluation of influential factors defining their role in waste collection process. The models
in the survey were tested on real data. Considering system approaches for solid waste
collection in developing countries is presented. The research compares the history and the
current practices, presented from 1960s to 2013. The output of the survey is drawing a
conclusion that developing and implementing solid waste collection approaches in developing
countries are of a great importance. The main issue is that waste collection does not include
innovation that IoT can provide. Models do not use real time information of the waste
collection, although some approaches use advanced scheduling and routing via exploiting
modern ICT algorithms. Information about bins status was not considered as part of waste
collection. All the reviewed surveys do not propose a model that will use IoT technology for
Smart Cities, though they consider different approaches for waste collection.
The paper [5] proposed an advanced Decision Support System (DSS) for efficient waste
collection in Smart Cities. The system incorporates a model for data sharing between truck
drivers on real time in order to perform waste collection and dynamic route optimization. The
system handles the case of ineffective waste collection in inaccessible areas within the Smart
City. Surveillance cameras are incorporated for capturing the problematic areas and provide
evidence to the authorities. The waste collection system aims to provide high quality of service
to the citizens of a Smart City. System architecture aims to suit two main targets. First target is
providing software as-a-service (SaaS) products for customers. Mainly, these customers are

13 | s m a r t w a s t e
private companies that are involved in waste collection, owning waste trucks, organize work of
drivers, get contracts from municipalities and pass wastes to recycling organizations or city
dumps. Second main target is developing a system, which makes possible mutually beneficial
communication between all the stakeholders involved in the chain of supplying goods and
utilizing solid waste in smart city. This paper presented a novel cloud-based system for waste
collection in smart cities. The system aims to provide services for different kind of stakeholders
involved in this area - from city administrations to citizens. Still, the design focuses mostly on
providing SaaS services to commercial waste management companies.
In paper [6] Infrared sensor (IR sensor) is used which is a multipurpose sensor, which can
detect the level of garbage. IR sensor emits the light, which is invisible to naked eye but the
electronic components can detect it. It consists of IR transmitter and IR receiver. The output of
IR sensor is acquired by The National Instruments myRIO-1900. It is an input output device
which is portable and reconfigurable. USB acts as a connector between the NI myRIO-1900 and
host computer. It has connectors A and B that acts as an expansion port and a connector C that
act as a mini-system port, they carry the signals and these signals are distinguished by different
connector names. Sensor senses level of the bin. The GUI gives the output of what level of
garbage is filled. Sensor senses level of the bin. The graphical representation to access the
output of the sensor is as shown below. It gives the output of what level of garbage is filled.
When the level in a bin is reached the threshold, the LED placed at the location of the bin starts
blinking. When the blinking LED is clicked, a display opens showing the location of the bin,
status of the bin, data and time when the bin gets filled, mobile number and the text to send to
the concerned person. But this system does not ensure whether garbage is cleaned or not and
transportation cost is another issue.
KalsiwalMansai [7] proposed model of Garbage Management using Internet of Things for Smart
Cities in organizing the garbage collection system of residential or commercial areas. In the
proposed system, the level of waste
material in the garbage bin has been detected with the help of ultrasonic sensor and it will
continuously communicate to the authorized control room through GSM module. Micro-
controller is used to interface the sensor system with GSM system. A GUI is also developed to

14 | s m a r t w a s t e
supervise the desired information related to the garbage for various selected locations. The
main feature that differs from other systems is that MATLAB based GUI. In this system there is a
requirement of master and slave units. Slave unit is placed in the garbage bin likely wise master
unit is placed at the control room. Slave unit consists of Arduino Uno board which has
Atmega328 IC, ultrasonic sensor and GSM module. The entire circuit is placed at top of the
dustbin. In ultrasonic sensor, the trigger pulse is continuously sent in the dustbin and echo
pulse reflects back to ultrasonic sensor. Ultrasonic sensor continuously checks the garbage level
in dustbin. Once the level of garbage reaches to specified threshold values, ultrasonic sensor
gives indication to Arduino Uno board and through GSM, SMS will be send to control room
which will indicate that the ―Please inform the cleaner of specific floor as the dustbin of that
floor is full‖. In master unit when the SMS is received at control room, it will indicate on GUI the
percentage of approximate garbage collection of that floor and it will automatically inform the
cleaner of that floor.
The system proposed by Vishesh Kumar Kurrel [8] assures the cleaning of dustbins soon when
the garbage level reaches its maximum. In this management system IOT as the working in the
field for networked radio-frequency identification (RFID), tracking the collection vehicle,
Dustbin monitoring and other emerging sensing technologies. The IR sensor is act as level
detector. The assures a low budget by changing all light traffic servers into Raspberry Pi. The
sensor senses the content of the dustbin and sends the signals or the data to the ARM
microcontroller then the microcontroller reads the data from the sensor and process the data
received from sensor, and the same data will send to Dashboard section and this section send
mail/message to respective Municipal / Government authority person or collection vehicle. If
the dustbin is not cleaned in specific time, then the record is sent to the higher authority who
can take appropriate action against the concerned contractor. This system also helps to
monitor the fake reports and hence can reduce the corruption in the overall management
system. This reduces the total number of trips of garbage collection vehicle and hence reduces
the overall expenditure associated with the garbage collection.
Another method [9] is that, Once the garbage reaches the threshold level ultrasonic sensor will
trigger the GSM modem which will continuously alert the required authority until the garbage

15 | s m a r t w a s t e
in the dustbin is squashed. Once the dustbin is squashed, people can reuse the dustbin. At
regular intervals dustbin will be squashed.in In this method, GSM 900A modem is used to send
the messages. It consists of a GSM/GPRS modem with standard communication interfaces like
RS-232 (Serial Port), USB, so that it can be easily connected to the other devices. The ultrasonic
sensor is used to find the height of garbage filled at different intervals of time. They use three
sensors at various heights like h/3, 2h/3 and h, where h is the height of the bin but to make it
affordable and to achieve the same results, only one sensor is placed at surface level. This
system has various features such as durability, affordability, prevention against damage and
maintenance issues. But they require a more amount of machines and labors.
Another solution was proposed in [10], there are multiple dustbins located throughout the city
or the Campus, these dustbins are provided with low cost embedded device which helps in
tracking the level of the garbage bins and a unique ID will be provided for every dustbin in the
city so that it is easy to identify which garbage bin is full. The project module is divided into two
parts Transmitter section and receiver section. Here in the transmitter section we are using
8051 microcontrollers, RF Transmitter and sensors these are attached to the dustbin. Where
sensor is used to detect the level in the dustbin whether the dustbin is full or empty. The sensor
senses the content of the dustbin and sends the signals or the data to the 8051 microcontroller,
Power Supply +9V Battery power supply is given to the 8051 microcontroller to drive the
system and the 8051 microcontroller reads the data from the sensor and process the data
received from sensor, and the same data wirelessly transmitted to the Central system (Intel
Galileo microcontroller) using RF Transmitted. RF Transmitter is to transmit the signal form
8051 microcontroller to the Intel Galileo microcontroller. Here RF Receiver is used to receive
the data sent by RF transmitter to the Intel Galileo microcontroller. The Intel Galileo Gen2
Microcontroller is used to receive the data sent by the multiple transmitters and process the
data and the same data transmitted to the Client i.e., Web Browser. But comparatively the
number of components used is more such as 8051 microcontrollers, IR sensors that make an
excessive cost and complex codes.

16 | s m a r t w a s t e
 Table 1: types of waste

2.4 Literature On Solid Waste Management In Nigeria Environmental Sciences Essay

Research both past and present into solid waste in Nigeria like most developing countries with
an absence of adequate solid waste management system has been focused more on adequate
collection and disposal options than on the waste generators, storage or even an avenue for
waste reduction which aids in reuse and recycling, hence creating major gaps. These gaps are
areas that need to address to ensure that there is a sustainable management of solid waste
generated to prevent environmental hazards.

2.4.1 Purpose of the Literature Review

This chapter review gives an overview of the situation of solid waste management in developing
countries critically examining and summarizing studies by various researchers in academic
books, professional and academic journals, published and unpublished works and electronic
media. This literature review would aid in identifying appropriate methodology to achieve the
aim of this research.

17 | s m a r t w a s t e
In addition, source separation a relatively understudied concept has been identified and
recommended by many researchers as an avenue for waste reduction. It has also been
suggested as providing alternative means of practicing proper waste management apart from
collection and disposal. (Cointreau-Levine & Gopalan, 2000:Imam et al, 2008)

This study into institutional solid waste management with the aim of identifying dynamics that
influence/affect separation at source at households in the campus will create a means of
addressing waste reduction and proper implementation of solid waste management options.
According to UNEP (2005), the logical starting point for the proper management of solid waste
is to reduce the amounts of waste managed, either informally within the generator's site or
formally (externally) by another entity once the waste is discarded by the generator. Thereby
reducing waste quantities collected or otherwise managed.

2.4.2 Literature Search

The search for literature can be very time consuming and futile if proper strategies are not
developed. To aid in the literature search, the following was prepared:

Firstly, the topic, boundary (Developing countries: Nigeria) and problem statement was agreed
on. Then I identified of the disciplines with a stake in solid waste. They include:

 Health, Science and Technology

 Waste & Waste Management
 Environmental & Urban
 Secondly, Keywords broad and narrow were developed. They are:
 Municipal Solid waste , Solid waste Management
 Institutional Solid Waste
 Separation at source , Source separation
 Waste segregation, separation
 Household solid waste manag*
 Participation/Incentives in solid waste
 Motivating factors, attitudinal behaviours
 Solid waste management in Nigeria
 University of Benin

From this site, the following journals were found with relevant data.

 Waste Management
 Waste Management and Research
 Habitat International
 Environmental Management
 Resource, Conservation and Recycling
 Google Search Engine and Goggle Scholar were searched using the keywords
above.

18 | s m a r t w a s t e
  The sources of information obtained include:
 More Journals articles from the above stated journals
 Solid waste Management Volume 1:United Nation Environmental
Programme (UNEP)
 J.C Agunwanba:(Google scholar) with articles on Waste management in some
parts of Nigeria
 The World Bank; Urban Solid Waste management (community initiatives)
 WEDC & WELL factsheets and studies: solid waste management

This approach was chosen to ensure an extensive and appropriate search in all areas of solid
waste management and Research into developing countries of which Nigeria is apart. M use of
the Internet was to ensure that as many recent journals, conferences and researches in Nigeria
are available for scrutiny.

2.4.3 Solid waste management practices in Developing countries.

In an attempt to accelerate the pace of its industrial development, an economically developing

nation may fail to pay adequate attention to solid waste management. Such a failure incurs a
severe penalty later in the form of reusable resources needlessly lost and a staggering adverse
impact on the environment and on public health and safety.(UNEP, 2005) This is the problem
presently facing most developing countries: rapid population growth due to rapid urban
development hence more waste to manage. (Singhal & Pandey, 2001)

2.4.4 Waste Generation and Composition

The saying goes that "if you can measure it you can manage it" this is a viewpoint that is
especially important and a solution that most developing countries have not been able to
accomplish in solid waste management. There is no measure of the waste generated and so
management becomes difficult and inefficient.

According to( Vaughan , 1971), information on the composition and quantity of solid waste is
indispensable to design, implementation and operation of any solid waste management system
of today and helps to forecast the requirements of tomorrow.

As stated above most developing countries are plagued with solid waste management
problems that are degrading the urban environment and posing a serious threat to the natural
resources and consequently holding back development (Sujauddin.,M., et al 2008) solving this
problem will require knowledge about the per capital waste generated, composition and also
attitudes towards waste. The authors found that there are many variables that affect the
composition and the quantities of waste generated this include population growth, the
socioeconomic factors (income, education, age, land ownership) which is the reverse for most
developed countries.

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The major constituents of developing countries waste is about 66% organic, which is about 30%
of the total waste generated showing that composting, would be a very good way of waste
management (recycling). (ibid)

2.4.5 Institutional Arrangement

The key institutions responsible for solid waste management services include public sector,
formal private sector, informal private sector and community based non-governmental
organisations. (ABC, 1988) The proper identification of their roles and responsibilities has been
cited as a major influence in a sustainable solid waste management. At present, the public
sector is responsible for service delivery of solid waste management in most developing
countries and they are finding it difficult due to the rapid explosion in population growth hence
more waste to manage. Some major problems that affect the municipalities' inadequacy to
provide good solid waste system include poor planning, lack of experienced staff, inappropriate
equipments and technology, insufficient funds and landfill sites for disposal.( Coad, 2005:
Hossain & Siwar 2002).

Collection, transportation and disposal have been a major problem in delivering efficient solid
waste management services. In India cities collection efficiency is between 40 -70 % due to
inadequate transport capacity and deficient workforce even with the municipalities' allocation
of 85-90% of the total budget to the service (Nema, 2004: Sharholy et al 2008)

To rectify this inadequacy and provide better services some sources have recommended
institutional changes like privatization "transferring of the responsibilities to private sector
while the public sector deals with policies and regulations" (Hossain & Siwar, 2002: Cointreau-
Levine et al, 2000: World Bank,2003). The authors have argued that privatization will reduce
the burden on government, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal solid waste
(MSW) services, decreases costs, source reduction and improve recycling thereby reducing the
waste that goes for final disposal and increasing the life cycle of disposal sites. They also state
that this can only work with sustainable frameworks supported by viable government policies
and regulations.

Poor solid waste management creates serious threat to human health and well-being especially
with indiscriminate open dumping which clogs drains and sewerage creating breeding grounds
for rodents and insects leading to disease spread and ground water contamination.
( Majani,2000:Gonzenbach.& Coad, 2007: Kumar et al, 2009)

To aid in proper solid waste management certain cities have set rules (Bennagen et al ,2002:
Sarkhel & Banerjee, 2009) to necessitate the mandatory segregation of waste at generators
level and also the concordance between collection and disposal facilities to ensure the
establishment of local recycling and composting plants.

The study showed that households were ready to participate and their participation would
increase if there was going to be regular collection, variable user charges and appropriate

20 | s m a r t w a s t e
garbage collection i.e. not collecting both recyclables and other waste in the same vehicle.
(Bennagen et al., 2002)

2.4.6 Informal Sector

The role of the informal sector (waste pickers, scavengers, sweepers) in solid waste
management is identified as been crucial in waste reduction though to what amount it cannot
be effectively determined.(Wilson et al , 2006). Most of their activities are driven by the need to
supplement income and to reduce poverty. They operate at all levels in the solid waste chain
from generation to disposal removing the recyclables and trading it. These waste pickers with
organisation and support would create jobs for the minority in the society, reduce poverty, save
municipalities money, improve industrial competitiveness, conserve natural resources and
protect the environment. The government in many developing countries: Argentina, Brazil,
India, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico have identified the necessities of recognising and identifying
this stakeholders especially in light of attaining Goal 7 of the millennium development goals
thereby creating an inclusive, socially desirable, economically viable and environmentally sound
solid waste management system. Waste pickers activities are recognised for their role in
reducing the waste to be collected transported and disposed e.g. Jakarta 25% reduction.
(Medina, 2008)

2.4.7 Attitudes and Preferences

Attitude is termed in this study as the feeling and thoughts while perception is "insight and
awareness" which encourages participation.

To ensure the sustainability of any SWM system there has to be a change of government
perception to that of recognising the importance of people. The current global challenges of
urban solid waste (Ali, 2006(Ed)) states demand a people centred approach, change in public
attitude to consumption and increased relationship between the people and the government.
With new approaches to waste management to tackle the challenges of the increased waste
generated by the population, increased cost of waste management leads to increase user
charges. This (ibid) stated will only be sustainable if the government recognises the importance
of people in planning, designing and operating any solid waste system.

Bisson (2002) stated that since waste is a product of human behaviour, to maintain a good
waste management we need information on the behaviour and attitude of people with regard
to waste and accurate data on waste generation

Source separation and other recycling practices at households is greatly supported in its role to
reduction of waste, municipality costs but in practice might not be successful because of the
understanding of funds and the workload involved. (Chung S.S & C.S Poon, 1996: Ghorbani et al,
2007). The authors concluded that economic incentives as well as education about
environmental benefits of waste separation by householders would result in active
participation of people in separating wastes in the home. Chung S.S & C.S Poon (1996) further

21 | s m a r t w a s t e
found that consumption rate might increase if waste is recycled hence education awareness
programs. They suggested that the involvement of all household members and not only the
housewives, binary not multiple separation schemes will further increase its success rate.

One likely consequence of households paying close attention to their refuse is that people will
become more aware of the waste they generate and will become less wasteful thus saving
resources and further reducing collection costs. (Kassim, 2006)

Various authors (Bennagen., June 2002: Sujauddin.,M., et al 2008) have reported that there is
an eagerness for communities to participate in solid waste management schemes, pay for
services but the payment should not be unit but as per user and with government support.

2.4.8 Source Separation

Source separation according to GDRC (n.d) is the setting aside of compostable and recyclable
materials from the waste stream before they are collected with other MSW, to facilitate reuse,
recycling, and composting. During the UN conference in Johannesburg in 2002 reduction of
waste through source separation was affirmed as one of the steps, which the local government
can implement to maximize environmental sound waste use, recycling and diversion of useful
materials from the waste stream.

Facing the problems of solid waste management, (Strange, K 2002: UNEP, 2005) argues can be
done through plans and programs which encourage source separation and this he stated will
help in minimizing waste for disposal. Schübeler et al (1996) further added that the
introduction of source separation ought to be in a pragmatic and incremental manner
beginning with pilot activities to access and encourage the interest and willingness of users to
participate.

In most developing countries, the practice of source separation is by the informal sector at a
very small scale. In cities of developing countries, source separation provides a means of
employment, reduces the total amount of waste for disposal, and at landfills through the
support of governing bodies and community based organization (Lardinios & Furedy, 1999: Fehr
et al, 2009)

Waste separation increases the quality of produced compost and recyclables, and optimizes
incineration. It also enables better financing of waste management activities and minimizes the
energy and labour inputs to any downstream processes (Murray, 1999).

Source-separation pilot programs have been tested in some developing countries but total
recovery of recyclables have been hindered due to the large amount of water contents in the
waste and high percentage of food waste food waste (Zhuang et al,2007: Tadesse., 2008),

The motivations for materials separation and reuse in developing countries include: scarcity or
expense of virgin materials; the level of absolute poverty; income supplement, the frugal values

22 | s m a r t w a s t e
of even relatively well-to-do households; and the large markets for used goods and products
made from recycled plastics and metals. (UNEP, 2005: Sarkhel & Banerjee, 2009: Fehr et al,
2009) Fehr et al (2009) further recommended the introduction of legal instruments within a
municipal model that mandate source separation and encourages educational and legal
measures for solid waste management success.

(Joseph, 2006; Zhuang et al, 2007: Fehr et al, 2009 agree that any source separation program
needs people centred participation, monitoring, awareness creation and support.

Below are some of the advantages of source separated over co-mingled waste

o Extends landfill life. Removes potential recyclables from the waste stream.
o Lowers net disposal costs.
o Done by the household. No extra cost for the community.
o Highly applicable to residential waste.
o Industrial waste may be recycled through industrial waste exchanges.
o An effective and reliable tool for recycling.
o Can be implemented on small-scale, then expanded.
o Recyclables are usually uncontaminated by garbage and other debris
o It is not time or space consuming for the residents.
o The facility does not need additional space to handle recyclables.
o Basic technology is needed
o The effectiveness of the collection system does not depend on how people prepare
recyclables.
o There is no need for established secondary markets
o Guidelines for Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Mediterranean Region ( )

2.2.5 Solid waste practices in universities of developing countries

Higher institutions have the responsibility of having high moral and ethical obligation to the
environment because they are expected to produce leaders in environmental protection
movement.

Armijo de Vega (2008) research acknowledges the good use of campuses as a case study for
solid waste management (SWM) options for the following reasons;

23 | s m a r t w a s t e
Not much has not been reported on the topic,

They been independent to a great extent, campuses can accommodate pioneering SWM
approaches that can filter down to other communities later,

Thirdly, since it involves students at various levels it can serve to sensitize as well as easily train
them in good SWM practices, and

Finally, SWM practices adopted by higher education institutions have a great potential of being
adopted by surrounding communities because these institutions generally are held in high
esteem.

The efforts towards responsible waste management should stem from these institutions.
Besides, appropriate waste management would bring benefits to the institution such as a
reduction of the financial resources destined to waste management, but, above all, it would set
an example to the students and the community. (Mbuligwe .2002: Maldonado, 2006)
Furthermore the authors discovered that the type of waste generated on campus (recyclables
and organic) provides a lot of avenue for reuse, recycling and recovery thereby reducing the
quantity of waste disposed in landfill by more than 60%.(ibid)

2.3 Solid waste management Practices in Nigeria

2.3.1 Waste Composition

Nigeria is a nation that exemplifies chronic solid waste management problems in conjunction
with population growth. It is the most populous country in Africa, with over

120 million residents (World Bank 1996), and over the past 50 years, has had the third largest
urban growth rate in the world at 5.51% annually (UNWUP 1999).

In Nigeria though there has been some studies into the determination of waste composition
and generation to enhance the provision of solid waste management services, this studies are
outdated (Adedibu 1985) or have been done at the landfills (Mbuligwe., 2002). This does not
take into consideration the quantities of waste that are separated by the waste pickers and
animals before collection. (Ogwueleka, 2009: Iman et al 2008 ) agree that indistinctive
legislative policies and regulation, lack of data on the generated waste, inappropriate
technology for collection and disposal, no planned framework and inadequate population
characteristics are some of the factors affecting the knowledge of municipal solid waste
composition in Nigeria to develop better disposal methods. Other factors include political,
economic and social.

The majority of substances composing municipal solid waste include paper, vegetable matter,
plastics, metals, textile, rubber and glass (Ogwueleka, 2009:Imam., 2008). They found that the
major component of solid waste is organic waste (40-64%) which is wetter, corrosive with high

24 | s m a r t w a s t e
density (Ogwueleka, 2009)and agree that composting will be an adequate solid waste practice
to reduce the waste especially (Iman et al 2008) with the removal of government subsidies for
the sale of fertilizers creating a market for it.

Controlled landfill (Adedibu, 1985) stated is another SWM option for disposal. This is not
recommendable because of the complex technology and funds which the government cannot
provide. Efficient recycling and composting could save 18.6% in waste management costs and
57.7% in landfill cost (Agunwamba, 1998).

Waste characteristics vary according to season, population, climate, and industrial production,
the size of markets for waste materials and the extent of urbanization, effectiveness of
recycling, and work reduction. (Ogwueleka, 2009). Other factors affecting increased waste
generation among residents in Nigeria cities are change in social economic and educational
circumstance.

2.3.2 Attitudes and Perceptions

According to (Agunwamba, 2003: Iman et al 2008) public awareness, social ideals, beliefs and
attitudes to waste can affect all stages in the solid waste management process. This has an
impact on household waste storage, waste segregation, recycling, collection frequency, littering
and "fly-tipping" (illegal dumping), willingness to pay for waste management services, and the
level and type of opposition to waste treatment and disposal facilities.

In Nigeria, the general public attitude towards waste management is poor. . A man may live in a
neatly kept house but refuse to cooperate with his fellow residents in keeping the surroundings
of the building clean. As long as the waste materials are not inside his house, he feels no
concern. Government attitude towards solid waste management is the introduction of in
appropriate technology without the consultation of the people using the services (Agunwamba,
1998). In addition, they consider the informal sector a menace (Ogwueleka, 2009) and try all
means to eradicate them.

Most Nigerians associated wealth with lavish spending, which generates much waste as a by-
product. They perceive waste pickers/workers as poor and so make little or no effort to
cooperate in waste management activities. Similarly, in homes waste removal to bins classified
as children's work. Since the bins were not designed with, their small stature wastes are
dumped on the ground, creating more work for the waste workers and increasing collection
time reducing efficiency. (ibid)

As for the waste workers, poor remuneration and stagnation in promotion has created a
reduced interest in proper solid waste management. They go about doing their jobs
haphazardly. The poor attitude to waste been exhibited can be changed with proper
enlightenment programs and patient extension efforts that are reinforced continuously even
after project completion. This will negate ignorance, materialistic tendencies, and apathy and
reinforce their responsibility to the environmental. (Agunwamba, 1998)

25 | s m a r t w a s t e
2.3.3 Institutional Arrangement

With knowledge of the illegal dumping of toxic waste in June 1988, (Adegoroye., 1994) the
Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) was created. The landmark Federal legislation
on environmental protection in Nigeria was the decree Number 58 of 1988, which established
the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA). The specific role of FEPA with respect to
solid waste management is to (Onibokun, 1999):

Study the most reliable systems that are appropriate for local, domestic and industrial wastes.

Specify waste disposal and treatment methods that take into consideration the geological and
environmental setting and encourage recycling.

Specify waste disposal sites that guarantee the safety of surface and underground water
systems.

Set up and enforce standards for adequate sanitary facilities for the disposal of human and
other solid wastes in dwellings, housing estates and public facilities in both urban and rural
areas.

Establish monitoring programmes including periodic surveillance of approved waste disposal

sites and their surroundings and waste water systems.

Establish monitoring stations for the control of the disposal of leachate from dumpsites into
surface water and groundwater systems

Under this Act, all states and local government set up their own environmental protection body
for the protection and improvement of the environment within its jurisdiction. In 1999
(Ogwueleka, 2009), FEPA was taken over by the Federal Ministry of Environment to combat
some of the challenges faced which include absence of pollution waste management laws, lack
of environmental enforcement, funding, role conflicts power play between FEPA workers and
some powerful individuals whose companies not ready to pay for services. It still conformed to
all the regulation stated above but even with this change of hands, there was still inadequate
provision of solid waste services in Nigeria.

According to (Imam et al, 2008: Ogwueleka, 2009) solid waste management in Nigeria is
characterised by in efficient collection methods, insufficient coverage of the collection system
and improper disposal. Lack of institutional arrangement, insufficient funds absence of
standards and by-laws, insufficient information on waste composition and quantity, inflexible
work schedule and inappropriate technology transfer are the common constraints faced by
environmental agencies in solid waste management.75-95% of the revenue of solid waste is
spent on collection and disposal and only 40-70% is collected from the urban areas. Most of the
rural areas have no SWM facility.

26 | s m a r t w a s t e
Presently emphasis is been focused on better institutional arrangement through privatization
and less on collection and disposal due to the inadequate government service delivery.
Privatization is been tested in cities like Abuja (Imam., 2008), Lagos (Ogwueleka, 2009) and
Benin (Ogu., 2000) but have not improved the service delivery due to all the factors above
including corruption, lack of planning of route service delivery, affordability and acceptability.

Finally, (Ogwueleka, 2009) argued that since in Nigeria there is an abundance of cheap labour
the use of a low capital cost and labour intensive solution that reduces poverty will be
preferred. It should include low technology like handcarts and pickup trucks for collection,
informal sector involvement (waste pickers), training, local waste recycling and reduction
projects, transfer stations to reduce operating cost, community participation and involvement.

In conclusion Adegoreyo, (1994) stated that stable leadership and firm commitment of
government in formative years to any enforcement programme with set goals, objectives and
responsibilities including capacity building should be uttermost to ensure the improvements.

2.3.4 Source Separation

Studies into source separation in Nigeria though it is highly relevant according to most
researchers are not been preformed. (Onibokun., 1999: Ogu., 2000: Agunwamba, 2003).This
has constrained the author to review literature of other developing countries, implementation
methods and success rate of source separation to infer if it will adequate for Nigeria.

The scavengers do little or no form of recycling it is more of reuse. (Agunwamba, 2003)

Informal Practices

In Nigeria, gifts of clothes and goods to relatives, charities, and servants as a means of source
separation are significant in waste reduction. However, the greatest amount of materials
recovery is achieved through the following:

(a) Itinerant waste buyers (IWBs): These are waste collectors who often go from door-to-door,
collecting specific recyclable materials and/or organic wastes from households, which they buy
or barter. Individual IWBs tend to specialize in one or two kinds of materials.

(b) Street waste picking: Secondary raw materials recovered from mixed waste found on streets
or extracted from communal bins before collection.

(c) Municipal waste collection crew: Secondary raw materials recovered from vehicles
transporting waste to disposal sites.

(d) Waste picking from dumps: Waste pickers/ scavengers sort through waste before it is
covered at the site of final disposal, which is still generally open dumping in Nigeria. (Wilson et
al, 2009)

27 | s m a r t w a s t e
From the point of view of waste reduction, the traditional practices of repair and reuse, and the
sale, barter, or gift-giving of used goods and surplus materials are an advantage to the poorer
countries. Quantities of inorganic post-consumer wastes entering the MSW stream would be
higher if these forms of waste reduction did not exist.(UNEP,2005)

Formal Practices.

There is no formal practice in place for source separation at present although Federal Ministry
of Environment (2000) specified in the Blue print for municipal solid waste management
(MSWM) in Nigeria that separation at source is one of the viable alternatives/complement to an
integrated solid waste management programme.

2.3.5 Solid waste practices in universities in Nigeria

2.4 Solid waste practices in University of Benin, Benin-City

Solid waste management in the university is the collection and disposal of waste. The waste
generated is placed in bins for collection. There is no informal sector to do any separation
though some of the waste workers salvage the useful recyclables for reuse but this does not
even account for up to 1% of the total amount generated. Most times the waste generated is so
much that not all the waste is removed during collection so decomposition begins on the left
over waste, which will cause bad odours and breeding grounds for rodents and disease carrying
insects. Some leachates are also produced which might pollute the land and water around. The
final disposal site for the waste is an open dump that allows further pollution because there is
no control over waste deposited or the by-products of open dump disposal. Without adequate
attention, there is a major risk to the health of the staff and students in the university and to
the environment.

28 | s m a r t w a s t e
29 | s m a r t w a s t e