Embedded × Sustainable Systems
Solar-Powered Embedded Waste Management System
A solar-powered two-bin embedded system for rural waste collection, using proximity and fill-level sensing, servo actuation and GSM notifications without requiring internet connectivity.
5.67 s
Strong-signal response
14.87 s
Average-signal response
83.47 s
Poor-signal response
>24 h
Solar runtime
Design goal
The system was designed for rural communities where electricity and internet connectivity may be unreliable. A second bin acts as an auxiliary capacity buffer when pickup is delayed.
Hardware
Arduino Nano controllers, ultrasonic sensors, servo motors, a GSM module, solar panels and a rechargeable battery provide autonomous sensing, actuation and notification.
Control flow
The controller monitors bin state, routes new waste to the available bin, closes a full bin and sends a GSM notification to the responsible authority. The second bin extends usable capacity while collection is pending.
Field result
Testing showed that GSM response time degraded predictably with signal quality but remained functional even in poor-signal conditions. The solar supply powered the system for more than 24 hours.
Evidence