“Smart bins are fitted with IoT and RFID sensors to collect various information as to utilization, waste collection, sorting and disposal of waste in a timely manner.”
Waste management is crucial to any and every smart city. Various initiatives have been taken to ensure proper waste collection, sorting and disposal but only some of them have succeeded due to poor implementation, lack of data and monitoring etc. resulting in unhygienic and dirty streets and cities.
Technologies now exist that can be leveraged to ensure proper waste collection as the advancement of technology has contributed significantly to develop smart cities and ensure waste collection and disposal. With smart bins which use IoT and RFID, you can address this problem of littering and inefficient waste handling that we are often faced with.
IoT and RFID technologies present a combination of advance monitoring where regular waste collection can be monitored and sorting and disposal can be carried out. In India, various municipal corporations such as Gurugram, Agra, etc have started tagging the household with UHF RFID tag to ensure that the garbage is collected in a regular fashion. The waste collecting vehicle passes through each house and tag data is recorded, which confirms that vehicles passes through each house and waste collection is regular.
Smart RFID Bins
RFID, short for Radio Frequency Identification, is a wireless track and trace solution that is capable of automatic identification and data capture. It means that when you tag an object with an RFID tag, you can identify and track it remotely.
Smart dustbins are fitted with IoT and RFID sensors to collect various information as to utilization, waste collection, sorting and disposal of waste in a timely manner. Data on accessibility and utilization is collected through sensors and integrated with a centralized waste processing platform. It gives you a comprehensive view on waste management. These smart bins are very useful when it comes to keep city litter-free.
Waste recycling is also one important part of waste management and use of RFID and IoT will ensure that waste is being recycled in an efficient and timely manner. RFID tagging will enable constant monitoring of the recycle plant and ensure that all the waste collection vehicles visit the plant on regular interval.
IoT and RFID sensors and Smart Dustbins
IoT (Internet of Things) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems are used in smart dustbins to enhance their functionality. An RFID system consists of a reader, which detects the radio frequency tag attached to the smart bin, outputting data to be stored in a database. On the other hand, IoT devices are used to connect smart dustbins to the internet in real-time, enabling real-time monitoring of waste collection.
In the IoT and RFID-enabled smart dustbins, sensors provide live data regarding the contents of the smart bin such as weight and type of waste. These sensors assist management teams in the rapid analysis of the contents of the dustbin, enhancing the ability to plan for waste collection. The system also alerts waste collectors when the smart dustbin is full, assuring their swift removal and efficient replacement with a clean one. This truly ensures that the place is clean and people are dumping garbage as they should, without littering.
RFID Tagging of Waste Bins
The RFID tagging of waste bins is a crucial step towards implementing smart bins. Various kinds of RFID tags can be used on smart bins but what you need to keep in mind is the fact that Waste bins mostly remain in open where rain, sun and snow can damage RFID labels. Hence, special kinds of RFID hard tags should be used. These tags are made of ABS plastic and are suitable for extreme weather conditions. Another thing to keep in mind is the operating frequency and read range of the RFID tags. Passive UHF tags operate in the radio frequency band 860 MHz-960MHz and provide the read range of 12-15m. As well as, UHF RFID tags are also a cost-effective option.
Let’s see how IoT- and RFID-enabled smart dustbins aid waste management in smart cities:
Enhanced Communication Systems
Communication is critical in the management of waste in cities. Use of IoT and RFID-enabled smart dustbins provides a monitoring feature that transmits data to managers, allowing them to effectively configure and schedule waste collection based on the amount and type of waste.
The monitoring feature in the smart dustbins enables waste collectors to evaluate the best route to reduce fuel consumption for waste disposal. The dustbins can also transmit real-time information on the most efficient routes for the waste collector's truck to follow.
Cleaner Environment
IoT- and RFID-enabled smart dustbins reduce litter in smart cities as they have an efficient waste management system. The dustbins have an automatic opening mechanism, reducing the number of uncollected waste being dumped near them.
Also, the system cuts down on the amount of waste that is laying around for extended periods of time, reducing the spread of litter and health hazards in the city. With the accurate monitoring of waste levels, consistent inspection of dustbins, preventing overfilling, and picking up litter, environmental pollution is significantly reduced.
Secure Dustbins
IoT- and RFID-enabled smart dustbins are secure, and with the use of sensors, the collection of valuable data is more accurate and operation-driven. The RFID tagging system allows waste managers to track the waste bin's location, ensuring they are not lost or stolen. Placement of RFID antenna and RFID reader in the vicinity of a smart bin will also ensure that no un-authorized movement of bins takes place as in most cases, people move the bin and it doesn’t help other people as it should.
In today's world, RFID technology and IoT sensors are very helpful when it comes to accurate tracking of objects, identification and data collection. Smart bins fitted with RFID tags and IoT sensors allow waste management units to monitor utilizations of bins, empty status, and disposal of the same. Combine it with CCTV, it will allow you to check if people are actually throwing the garbage inside the bins, sorting it into solid waste and liquid waste or just littering around the area.
Apart from that, RFID also allows for door-to-door waste collection in an efficient way, reducing the incidents where people just throw out the garbage anywhere.
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