Smart Waste Management System Using Arduino Nano, Ultrasonic Sensor & GSM Module – Solar Powered IoT Solution

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 Smart Waste Management System using Arduino Nano and HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor

The Smart Waste Management System is an IoT-based automation project designed to monitor garbage levels in dustbins and send real-time SMS alerts when the bin is nearly full. This system helps prevent overflow, improves hygiene, and supports efficient municipal waste collection.

It integrates ultrasonic sensing, GSM communication, renewable energy, and smart alert mechanisms — making it ideal for Smart City and engineering projects.

 How the System Works

  1. The HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor continuously measures the distance between the dustbin lid and garbage level.

  2. The Arduino Nano calculates the fill percentage based on bin height.

  3. When the waste crosses 80% level:

    • Red LED turns ON

    • Buzzer activates

    •  GSM module sends SMS alert to authority

  4. Green and Yellow LEDs indicate lower fill levels.

  5. The system runs on solar power + lithium battery, making it energy-efficient.

Key Components Used

  • Arduino Nano

  • HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor

  • SIM800 GSM Module or SIM900 GSM Module

  • Solar Panel

  • Lithium-ion Battery Pack

  • Buck Converter / Voltage Regulator

  • Buzzer

  • Red, Yellow, Green LEDs (220Ω resistors)

 Working Logic

Fill LevelLED StatusBuzzerSMS Alert
0–50%🟢 Green ONOFFNo
50–80%🟡 Yellow ONOFFNo
80%+🔴 Red ONONYes

The ultrasonic sensor calculates distance using:

Distance = (Duration × 0.034) / 2

Fill percentage is calculated using Arduino’s map() function.

GSM SMS Alert Feature

The system uses AT commands to send SMS:

  • AT+CMGF=1 → Set SMS text mode

  • AT+CMGS → Send message

  • Ctrl + Z (26) → End message

Replace +91xxxxxxxxxx with your actual phone number in the code.

Power System

  • Solar panel charges lithium battery

  • Buck converter regulates voltage to 5V

  • Ensures 24/7 autonomous operation

  • Eco-friendly and sustainable

 Applications

  • Smart City garbage monitoring

  • Municipal solid waste tracking

  • Industrial waste bins

  • Residential apartment waste management

  • Railway stations & bus terminals

  • Hospital waste monitoring

  • Smart campus automation

Features

✔ Real-time garbage level monitoring
✔ Automatic SMS notification system
✔ Solar-powered sustainable design
✔ LED + buzzer local alert system
✔ Low-cost scalable solution
✔ Improves hygiene and cleanliness
✔ Reduces manual inspection
✔ Supports optimized waste collection routes

 Ideal For

  • Engineering final year projects

  • IoT-based exhibition models

  • Smart city innovation challenges

  • Polytechnic & diploma projects

  • School science fairs

  • Embedded systems learning

Code:
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

#define TRIG_PIN 2        // Ultrasonic sensor trigger pin
#define ECHO_PIN 3        // Ultrasonic sensor echo pin
#define GSM_TX 4          // GSM Module TX
#define GSM_RX 5          // GSM Module RX
#define BUZZER_PIN 6      // Buzzer pin
#define GREEN_LED 7       // Green LED pin
#define YELLOW_LED 8      // Yellow LED pin
#define RED_LED 9         // Red LED pin

SoftwareSerial gsm(GSM_RX, GSM_TX);  // Software serial for GSM

const int binHeight = 30;  // Bin height in cm (adjust according to your bin)
long duration;
int distance, fillLevel;

void setup() {
  pinMode(TRIG_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ECHO_PIN, INPUT);
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(GREEN_LED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(YELLOW_LED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RED_LED, OUTPUT);

  Serial.begin(9600);
  gsm.begin(9600);
 
  // GSM Module Initialization
  sendSMS("Smart Waste Management System Initialized");
}

void loop() {
  // Measure distance
  digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, LOW);
  delayMicroseconds(2);
  digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, LOW);
 
  duration = pulseIn(ECHO_PIN, HIGH);
  distance = duration * 0.034 / 2;

  // Calculate fill level percentage
  fillLevel = map(distance, 0, binHeight, 100, 0);

  // Determine bin status and set LEDs and buzzer accordingly
  if (fillLevel <= 50) {
    digitalWrite(GREEN_LED, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(YELLOW_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
    Serial.println("Bin Status: Less than 50% full");
  }
  else if (fillLevel > 50 && fillLevel < 80) {
    digitalWrite(GREEN_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(YELLOW_LED, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
    Serial.println("Bin Status: Between 50% and 80% full");
  }
  else if (fillLevel >= 80) {
    digitalWrite(GREEN_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(YELLOW_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
    Serial.println("Bin Status: More than 80% full");
    sendSMS("Bin is 80% full. Please empty.");
  }

  delay(60000);  // Wait for 1 minute before next reading
}

// Function to send SMS alert
void sendSMS(String message) {
  gsm.print("AT+CMGF=1\r");  // Set SMS mode
  delay(100);
  gsm.print("AT+CMGS=\"+91xxxxxxxxxx\"\r");  // Replace with your phone number
  delay(100);
  gsm.print(message);
  delay(100);
  gsm.write(26);  // ASCII code for Ctrl+Z (end of message)
  delay(1000);
}

 Applications:

  • Smart Cities waste management

  • IoT-based garbage monitoring systems

  • Municipal solid waste tracking

  • Industrial and residential bin monitoring

  • Eco-friendly smart dustbin projects

 Features

  • Real-time garbage level monitoring

  • Automatic SMS alert system

  • Solar-powered sustainable design

  • Low-cost and scalable IoT solution

  • Reduces overflow and improves hygiene

  • Supports efficient route planning for waste collection

This Arduino-based Smart Waste Management System enhances urban cleanliness by integrating IoT technology, renewable energy, and automation. It is ideal for engineering projects, science exhibitions, and smart city development initiatives.

 

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