IIT-Madras Student Builds Smart Garbage Bin System

To transform this planet into a better place, waste management is crucial. Everything is important, from classifying dry and wet waste to sorting recyclable and non-recyclable waste. But not a lot of people can do so. However, it might be possible that this device from an IIT-Madras graduate can solve this problem.

Mahek Mahendra Sha has built a smart trash can called Airbin. Shar has equipped the garbage bin with some cool IoT goodness, allowing the work of collecting and sanitizing garbage to become a lot simpler.

The garbage bin comes with an IoT module and a microchip to send and receive data via wireless tech. There is also a sensor to keep track of the garbage level in a particular bin.

If the system detects that the trash can is full, the owner of the garbage bin will receive a message. The garbage collector will also receive a message to come and clear it before it overflows.

Shah said that his technology can be integrated into a fibreglass bin that they had designed or into an existing bin. The module is built based on Lora which is a technology for long-range communication but can save power. Since less power is required, the modules can run for 110 days before the batteries need to be changed.

Beside delivering report on the status of the trash can, the IoT app also teaches bot sanitary worker and citizens about the different processes of waste management. Sanitary workers will also learn what kind of safety gear they should use while collecting waste and how to further develop their skills.

Although, Airbin is still in its first stages, they will soon move on to testing phase by installing sensors in trash cans in Thiruvanmiuyr, Chennai.