Waste Level Detectable Trash Can with ESP32 and Ultrasonic Sensors

Abstract

This paper introduces an IoT-based waste monitoring system that integrates ultrasonic sensors with an ESP32 microcontroller to detect and display waste levels in trash bins. The system is designed to show whether a bin is full or empty, providing real-time waste level updates through an LCD panel on the bin and pop-up notifications via a web application. Our experimental setup uses five ultrasonic sensors, each emitting ultrasonic pulses at 40 kHz, to determine the distance between the trash can lid and the closest rubbish. The sensor also detects the reflected pulse when an object blocks the signal. After getting data from all sensors, the ESP32, programmed in C, processes these data and determines whether the bin is "FULL" or "EMPTY." The system integrates an IEEE1888 gateway for standardized data exchange and a Pocket-WiFi module for simplified network connectivity. This system is invented under the Zero-Piece concept, aiming to eliminate litter on streets and roads. Given the challenges of overflowing trash in Thailand's urban areas, we propose deploying these smart bins along city roads to improve waste management and maintain cleaner public spaces.