REVIEW OF SENSOR BASED AUTOMATED SMART WASTE SEGREGATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The rapid increase in urbanization, industrialization, and population growth has resulted in a significant rise in solid waste generation, creating major environmental and public health concerns. Efficient waste segregation at the source is a crucial step toward sustainable waste management and improved recycling. However, conventional waste segregation methods are largely manual, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and susceptible to human error. This review paper presents a comprehensive study of sensor-based automated smart waste segregation systems that enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of waste classification. These systems employ a combination of sensors, including moisture sensors, metal detectors, infrared sensors, and other sensing technologies, integrated with microcontrollers to automatically identify and classify waste into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and metallic categories. Furthermore, the incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology enables real-time monitoring, remote system control, and efficient data management, making these systems suitable for smart city applications. The paper reviews recent research, system architectures, sensing techniques, automation strategies, and implementation methodologies, while comparing their performance, advantages, limitations, and cost-effectiveness. It also discusses the role of intelligent waste segregation in reducing landfill waste, minimizing environmental pollution, improving recycling rates, and decreasing human intervention in hazardous waste handling. The findings indicate that sensor-based automated waste segregation systems provide a scalable, reliable, and sustainable solution for modern waste management challenges. Overall, this review highlights the potential of integrating sensor technologies, automation, and IoT to develop smart waste management systems that contribute to cleaner environments, resource conservation, and the advancement of sustainable urban development.