Solid Waste Management Architecture Using Wireless Sensor Network Technology

In many application fields such as home, industry, environment and health, different Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) applications have been developed to solve management problems with smart implementations. This approach can be applied in the filed of solid waste management. In this paper a new architecture is proposed with the aim to improve the on-site handling and transfer optimization in the waste management process. The system architecture is based on sensor nodes and makes use of Data Transfer Nodes (DTN) in order to provide to a remote server the retrieved data measurements from the garbage bins filling. A remote monitoring solution has been implemented, providing user the possibility to interact with the system by using a web browser. Several activities with the aim to provide a Decision Support System (DSS) able to find solutions for resources organization problems linked to solid waste management have been started.

I Introduction

High population density in large urban areas makes hard the solution of solid waste management problems [1]. To reduce the environment impact of the waste dumping, many municipal corporate are involved in the development of efficient waste management systems. Solid waste management is a complex process that involves many steps: it includes generation, onsite handling and storage, collection, transfer, processing and disposal of solid wastes [1]. All these sub-processes have to be implemented within existing legal, social, regulations which take care of the environment and of the public health.