IoT-Enabled Smart Dustbin for Real-Time Waste Monitoring and Scalable Hygiene Management

Effective waste management in large-scale facilities, such as commercial buildings, hospitals, educational campuses, public infrastructure and smart cities, is vital for ensuring hygiene, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Traditional collection methods often rely on fixed schedules and manual inspections, which can lead to delayed waste removal, overflowing bins, and unnecessary labor. This paper presents the development of an intelligent, IoT-enabled smart dustbin system designed to automate and optimize waste monitoring across diverse facility environments. The proposed system integrates an ESP32 microcontroller, ultrasonic sensors for real-time fill-level and proximity detection, a servo motor for automated lid control, and a tri-color LED system for local visual indication. Realtime data is transmitted via Wi-Fi to the Blynk mobile platform, allowing maintenance teams to receive instant alerts when bins approach or reach full capacity. Comprehensive simulation and hardware validation confirm the system’s reliability, responsiveness, and ease of integration. Designed with scalability, cost-efficiency, and interoperability in mind, the system is well-suited for deployment in modern smartbuilding infrastructure. By reducing unnecessary inspections, enabling data-driven collection schedules, and preventing waste overflow, the solution contributes to a more sustainable, hygienic, and intelligent urban environment.