International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 10, Issue 2, February 2019, pp. 2308–2315, Article ID: IJCIET_10_02_230
Available online at https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJCIET?Volume=10&Issue=2
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

CLOUD BASED IoT-ENABLED SOLID WASTE

MONITORING SYSTEM FOR SMART AND
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Aderemi A. Atayero, Rotimi Williams, Joke A. Badejo, Segun I. Popoola
IoT-Enabled Smart and Connected Communities (SmartCU) Research Cluster, Department of
Electrical and Information Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste is a major issue in urban centers and it
poses a serious threat to healthy living of the citizens. Timely access to reliable
information on the level of solid waste at different locations within the city will help
both the local authorities and the citizens to effectively manage this menace. In this
paper, an intelligent solid waste monitoring system is developed using Internet of
Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies. Waste containers are strategically
situated within the communities and the fill level of solid waste in each of the
containers is detected using ultrasonic sensors. The sensor data is transmitted to an
IoT cloud platform, ThingSpeak, via a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication link.
At different fill levels, the system is designed to send appropriate notification message
(in form of tweet) to alert relevant authorities and concerned citizen(s) for necessary
action. Also, the fill level is monitored on ThingSpeak in real-time. The system
performance shows that the proposed solution may be found useful for efficient waste
management in smart and connected communities.
Key words: Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, Smart and Connected
Communities, Smart City, Solid Waste.
Cite this Article: Aderemi A. Atayero, Rotimi Williams, Joke A. Badejo and
Segun I. Popoola, Cloud Based IoT-Enabled Solid Waste Monitoring System for
Smart and Connected Communities, International Journal of Civil Engineering and
Technology (IJCIET), 10(2), 2019, pp. 2308–2315.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJCIET?Volume=10&Issue=2

1. INTRODUCTION
Population growth and rapid urbanization contribute significantly to the increasing level of
solid wastes that are found in most cities today [1]. The volume of solid waste generated
globally has continued to increase and a total of 2.2 billion tonnes is expected in the year 2025
[2]. Management of solid waste in urban areas is highly essential because it affects the health
of the citizens and the ecosystem in general [3]. The World Bank data [4] showed that the
prevalence of this menace is more predominant in developing countries.

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 Cloud Based IoT-Enabled Solid Waste Monitoring System for Smart and Connected Communities

Solid waste monitoring is the first phase of solid waste management. It helps to achieve
efficient solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal. Specifically, solid waste monitoring
will help local authorities and relevant agencies to determine optimal routes, reduce running
cost, and minimize carbon footprint [5, 6]. Performing solid waste management operations
can be frustrating and unproductive due to lack of empirical information. However, the
activities of solid waste management can be efficiently performed and coordinated by
exploiting the elastic potentials of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
Solid wastes can be monitored remotely and the information can be conveniently stored and
displayed in a cost effective manner [7].
Several ICT solutions have been proposed and developed for different phases of solid
waste management. Global Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), and
remote sensing technologies have been extensively deployed to capture, store, analyze, and
map solid waste information [8]. Also, identification capabilities have been introduced into
solid waste management using barcode and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
technologies [7]. Sensor and imaging technologies helps in solid waste level detection and
measurement [9-11]. Different data communication technologies used in the literature ranges
from Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), ZigBee, Wi-Fi, to Bluetooth
technology [12-14].
The adoption of ICTs in solid waste management is still emerging. Most of the available
solutions are developed specifically to address a part of the whole system [10]. Access to
useful information is a major challenge in currently available systems [15]. The use of
GSM/GPRS as communication link increased the overall system costs [16]. Other issues and
challenges identified bother on dynamism of scheduling and routing, and environmental
effects [17].
In this paper, an intelligent solid waste monitoring system is developed using Internet of
Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies. Waste containers are strategically situated
within the communities and the fill level of solid waste in each of the containers is detected
using ultrasonic sensors. The sensor data is transmitted to an IoT cloud platform, ThingSpeak,
via a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication link. At different fill levels, the system is
designed to send appropriate notification message (in form of tweet) to alert relevant
authorities and concerned citizen(s) for necessary action. Also, the fill level is monitored on
ThingSpeak in real-time.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The developed smart waste monitoring system can be subdivided into the hardware and the
software parts. The hardware consists of the controller unit, the sensor unit, the display unit,
and the network interface unit. On the other hand, the development of the software includes
the program written to automate the processes of the microcontroller in the embedded system,
and the IoT cloud platform. The block diagram of the smart waste monitoring system is
shown in Figure 1.
Ultrasonic sensors were used to detect the level of solid waste in the bins. These sensors
were properly fixed in the inner part of the top lid of each bin. The measured waste level is
compared with a pre-set threshold level to determine whether the bin is due for offloading. An
Arduino Uno microcontroller serves as the processing unit of the system with all other
electronic components connected to it. The output information of the microcontroller is
displayed on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit. A Wi-Fi communication link established a
wireless Internet connection to the IoT cloud platform (ThingSpeak). The microcontroller
communicates serially with the Wi-Fi module to send both data and commands. The Wi-Fi
module is initially connected to the Internet Protocol (IP) address of ThingSpeak, with a write

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 Aderemi A. Atayero, Rotimi Williams, Joke A. Badejo, Segun I. Popoola

API key that enables data visualization on the IoT cloud platform. Information about the
waste level is received from the microcontroller and preconfigured in station mode. A twitter
account was setup for each of the bins to enable the “ThingTweet” feature of ThingSpeak.
“ThingTweet” allows embedded device to send tweet notification to other Twitter accounts.
The smart waste monitoring system leveraged this feature to alert relevant authorities when a
particular bin is due for offloading.

THINGSPEAK
IOT PLATFORM

WIFI MODULE
(ESP8266)

LCD SCREEN

ARDUINO UNO ULTRASONIC

MICROCONTROLLER SENSOR

POWER SUPPLY
(9V)

Figure 1 Block Diagram of the Smart Waste Monitoring System

Multiple waste disposal bins were located at different strategic locations at Covenant
University, Ota, Nigeria. These bins were enabled with low-cost embedded devices which
help in tracking the level of garbage. A unique identification code was generated and assigned
to each waste bin in the university community. This helps to identify the waste bin that is due
for offloading. It also aids proper routing and reduces fuel consumption. When the pre-set
threshold limit is reached, the embedded device transmits the appropriate information about
the level of solid waste in the bin along with the unique identification code of the bin. Real
time data visualization of the events is displayed on the IoT cloud platform (ThingSpeak).

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The proposed design concept of the smart waste monitoring system was prototyped and
tested. The working operations and testing results of the system are presented in this section.
The circuit design of the embedded system is evaluated using an open source simulation
software, Fritzing. This simulation tool was chosen because of its robust library of electronic
components. The schematic diagram and the system circuit design are shown in Figure 2 and
Figure 3 respectively.
Four-pin ultrasonic sensor was utilized. The ‘echo’ pin and the ‘trigger’ pin of the sensor
was connected to pins 4 and 5 of the microcontroller respectively. The power (VCC) and the
ground pins were connected to the source and ground terminals of the microcontroller
respectively. The ultrasonic sensor was powered with 3.3-volt obtained from the output pin of
the regulator that was connected to the 9 V voltage source as shown in Figure 2.

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 Cloud Based IoT-Enabled Solid Waste Monitoring System for Smart and Connected Communities

Communication was established with the Wi-Fi module by serial connection of the transmitter
(TX) pin to the receiver (RX) pin. Figure 4 shows the system testing setup.

Figure 2 Schematic Diagram of the Smart Waste Monitoring System

Figure 3 System Design Implementation

Table 1 Results of System Testing

Sent Data Data Delivery Duration (seconds)
Data 1 18
Data 2 18
Data 3 21
Data 4 18
Data 5 19
Data 5 22
Data 6 18
Data 7 20
Data 8 19.25
Average 18

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 Aderemi A. Atayero, Rotimi Williams, Joke A. Badejo, Segun I. Popoola

Data transmission delay test was carried out to ascertain the time taken to send measured
bin level to ThingSpeak platform. Table 1 shows the readings of the delay for different data
transmission times. The ThingSpeak platform was configured to receive data from the
embedded system and visualize the information. The data visualization is presented in form of
a bar graph, where the height of each bar corresponds to the waste level in the bin. The
ThingSpeak channel receives update every 16 seconds. The IoT cloud platform was properly
synchronized with the embedded system. When the pre-set condition of the system is reached
or exceeded, ThingSpeak sends a tweet notification using the “Tweet React” of ThingSpeak.
The complete embedded system was housed in a plastic casing and attached to the side of
the waste bin as shown in Figure 5. Connecting wires that run out from the side opening of
the plastic casing are properly laid on the wall of the bin. The ultrasonic sensor was carefully
position to ensure maximum level of sensitivity to the presence of solid waste in the bin. The
cover of the casing has an opening where the LCD unit was placed.

Figure 4 System Testing

Figure 5 System Prototype

The test results showed that the data visualization of the waste level on ThingSpeak
corresponded with the actual measured waste level in the bin. This validated the proper
operation of the waste monitoring system. The random nature of the delivery duration may be
attributed to traffic congestion in the communication network traffic and the limitation of the
Internet speed. The operating performance of the level sensor was verified to be sensitive
enough to the actual changes in the waste level in the bin. The remote monitoring capability
of the system was also verified. The status update of the bin was accessible at all times as

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 Cloud Based IoT-Enabled Solid Waste Monitoring System for Smart and Connected Communities

automatic update was performed at defined intervals. The performance of the tweet alert was
also validated. The time taken to post a tweet notification varied with Internet connection
speed as shown in Figure 6-8.

Figure 6 ThingSpeak Data Visualization in Scenario 1

Figure 7 ThingSpeak Data Visualization in Scenario 2

Figure 8 System Tweet Notification

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 Aderemi A. Atayero, Rotimi Williams, Joke A. Badejo, Segun I. Popoola

4. CONCLUSIONS
An intelligent solid waste monitoring system was developed to achieve an efficient waste
management using Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies. Waste
containers were strategically situated within the connected communities and the fill level of
solid waste in each of the containers was detected using ultrasonic sensors. The sensor data
was transmitted to an IoT cloud platform, ThingSpeak, via a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
communication link. At different fill levels, the system was designed to send appropriate
notification message (in form of tweet) to alert relevant authorities and concerned citizen(s)
for necessary action. Also, the fill level was monitored on ThingSpeak in real-time. The
complete embedded system was housed in a plastic casing and attached to the side of the
waste bin. The system performance showed that the proposed solution may be found useful
for efficient waste management in smart and connected communities.
In the future, the use of other sensors may be experimented to improve overall system
efficiency. Also, a renewable energy source may be considered to ensure system
sustainability.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was carried out under the IoT-Enabled Smart and Connected Communities
(SmartCU) research cluster of the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering,
Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria. The research was fully sponsored by Covenant University
Centre for Research, Innovation and Development (CUCRID), Covenant University, Ota,
Nigeria.

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