C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.

Department of ECE

"Trash for Cash: The Smart Dustbin That Rewards You"

Complete the phase 1 of design process for the below mentioned need statement

The Smart Dustbin is an innovative waste management system designed to encourage proper
waste disposal by offering rewards. This smart bin is equipped with sensors and an automated
mechanism to detect and collect waste efficiently. When a user disposes of waste, the system
verifies it and provides a reward, which could be in the form of points, discounts, or other
incentives.

Step1: Identify the stakeholders for the above need statement

1. Designers : Amrutha Haasini, Celina, Mohd Masiullah Taha, Aashirwad singh, Raj Varshan
2. Clients : Customers
3. Users : Customers

Team of design engineers acquire information from multiple resources to understand the
requirements clearly

Step2: Interact with clients/ users by asking questions which helps designers to arrive at
objectives and functions.

Questions such as This questions helps the designers to

1. What are the most common
challenges you face with your
current waste management system?
2. How do you currently manage waste
collection schedules? Are there any issues
with overflows or underutilization?
3. What types of waste are most commonly
Establishment client’s objectives
disposed of incorrectly?
4.How important is it for the system to
engage users with incentives? What kind of
rewards would be most effective?
5. Would you prefer the Smart Dustbin to be
fully automated (no user input) or would
you like some manual control?
6. What size and type of waste bins do you Identify constraints
use currently, and what kind of waste do
they mostly handle
7. How do you currently track waste levels

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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

in bins, and do you think real-time

monitoring would improve your operations?
8. What kind of weather conditions do your
bins need to withstand? Should the system
be weatherproof?
9. What kind of user data would you like to
gather (e.g., frequency of use, waste type,
user engagement)?
10. How would you like users to interact
with the Smart Dustbin? Should it include a Establish function
mobile app, or would an in-bin interface be
sufficient?
11. What is your budget for installation and
maintenance of the system?

Step 2.2 : Categorize the responces into objectives , constraints and functions .

Responses from clients / users O C F

1. "The system should reduce the frequency of waste Y N N
collection while preventing overflow."
2. "The Smart Dustbin should work in areas with no N Y N
electrical supply and should be powered by
renewable energy sources like solar."
3. "We want the system to detect whether waste is N N Y
recyclable or not and sort it automatically."
4. "The dustbin needs to be able to handle all types of Y N N
waste, including hazardous materials, without
contamination."
5. "It should be affordable to install and maintain for N Y N
municipalities with limited budgets."
6. "Users should be able to earn rewards like points N N Y
or discounts by disposing waste properly."
7. "The Smart Dustbin should be tamper-proof and N Y N
durable enough to withstand harsh weather
conditions."
8. "The system should send notifications to waste N N Y
management authorities when bins are full or need
attention."
9. "The Smart Dustbin should be easy to use for all Y N N

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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

ages, including the elderly and children."

10. "The system must comply with local N Y N
environmental regulations for waste disposal."
11. "It should provide real-time waste tracking and N N Y
analytics to improve waste management
operations."

Step 2.3 : Obtain the information through competitive benchmarking to arrive at design
requirements.

2.3.1 List historical benchmarks in technology those are associated with the project?

 1980s - RFID-Based Waste Collection: Used for tracking waste bins and
optimizing collection routes.
 1990s - Introduction of Sensor-Based Monitoring: Early adoption of ultrasonic
sensors to detect waste levels.
 2000s - Reverse Vending Machines: Provided rewards for recycling plastic bottles
and cans.
 2010s - IoT-Enabled Smart Bins: Integration of cloud-based data, mobile apps, and
AI for waste sorting.
 2020s - AI & ML for Waste Sorting: Advanced machine learning algorithms now
help automate waste segregation more accurately.

2.3.2. What are the existing solutions to the problems? (Search through internet, journals
patents, books, local shops and online shopping sites etc. Collect information about 4 existing
products)

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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

1. Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs)

Users insert plastic bottles into the machine, which then rewards them with cash,
discount coupons, or credits.

2. Bottle Deposit Return Schemes (DRS)

Consumers pay a small deposit when buying plastic-bottled drinks and get a refund
when returning empty bottles to collection points.

3. Smart Recycling Bins with AI Sorting

AI-powered bins automatically recognize and sort recyclable waste, making
recycling more efficient.

4. Plastic Bottle Buyback Centers

Recycling centers buy used plastic bottles by weight, encouraging people to collect
and sell them.

2.3.3 What is the average cost of the existing products in the market?

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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

₹4 lakh – ₹12 lakh per unit

2.3.4 What are the design parameters and associated specifications of the existing products.

DESIGN PARAMETERS:
Waste Type, Size, Reward System, Capacity, Power Consumption, AI Recognition, Waste
Segregation, Connectivity, Power, Bottle Collection, Refund Mechanism, Material
Durability

ASSOCIATED SPECIFICATIONS:
Accepts plastic bottles, cans, Uses AI & sensors for waste sorting

Step 2.4: Consolidate the literature survey details and arrive at design requirement.

Observation and Literature Survey Requirements

Sensor Integration: Ultrasonic, IR, or Sensor System: Detect waste presence.
weight sensors are commonly used to detect Monitor bin fill level or weight for
the presence and volume of waste. maintenance alerts
Automation: Motorized lids or collection Automated Mechanism: Open/close lid
mechanisms reduce physical contact and automatically to minimize contact.
improve hygiene.
Reward Systems: Gamification and Reward Verification Module: Identify and
incentive-based models (e.g., point systems validate proper waste disposal.
or vouchers) motivate users to dispose of
waste properly.
Data Tracking: Smart bins can monitor Connectivity: Real-time data
usage patterns and notify authorities for communication with servers or mobile apps
timely collection or maintenance.

Step 3: Identify client’s objectives

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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

Step 3.1: Prepare a list of design objectives

Sl.No. Objectives

01 Ensure Hygienic Waste Disposal

02 Accurate Waste Detection

03 Reward-Based User Engagement

04 Smart Monitoring and Alerts

05 Sustainable Operation

Step 3.2: order the list into sets

Design Objectives for Smart Dustbin System

Category 1: Functional Category 2: Technical Category 3: Operational &
Objectives Objectives Sustainability Objectives
1.Ensure Hygienic Waste Smart Monitoring and Alerts Sustainable Operation
Disposal
2.Accurate Waste Detection Data Collection and Modular and Scalable
Analysis Design
3.Reward-Based User Security and Privacy Cost-Effective and Reliable
Engagement
4.User-Friendly Interface Communication with Environmental Impact
External Systems Minimization
5. Efficient Waste Sensor Calibration and Low Maintenance
Collection Mechanism Accuracy Requirements

Step3.3:

Smart Dustbin Design

Objectives

Category 1: Functional Category 2: Technical Category 3: Operational &

Objectives Objectives Sustainability Objectives

Ensure Hygienic Accurate Waste Smart Monitoring Data Collection Sustainable Modular and
Waste Disposal Detection and Alerts and Analysis Operation Scalable Design
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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

Step 3.4: Prioritize among various objectives is using a technique called Pair – wise
Comparison Chart (PCC)

Objectives Ensure Accurate Waste Reward-Based User-Friendly

Hygienic Waste Detection User Interface
Disposal Engagement
Ensure Hygienic 1 4 3 4
Waste Disposal
Accurate Waste 1/4 1 3 4
Detection

Reward-Based 1/3 1/3 1 4

User
Engagement
User-Friendly 1/4 1/4 1/4 1
Interface
Efficient Waste 1/5 1/4 1/4 1/4
Collection
Mechanism

Rank the objectives in order of decreasing value of importance and the list is

1. Ensure Hygienic Waste Disposal - 50

2. Efficient Waste Collection Mechanism - 49.75

3. Accurate Waste Detection - 47.25

4. Reward-Based User Engagement - 43.67

5. Sustainable Operation - 42.75

6. Data Collection and Analysis - 42.5

Based on the information gathered through interaction with client, initial survey and
completing phase 1.1 the problem statement is formulated as follows

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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

Problem statement version 1.1

The traditional waste disposal systems often lead to inefficient waste management, hygiene
issues, and lack of user motivation for proper waste disposal. There is an increasing need to
address the growing concerns about waste segregation, cleanliness, and environmental
impact in both urban and rural areas.

Step 3.5 : Identify constraints

1. Technical Constraints

2. Cost Constraints

3. Environmental Constraints

Problem statement version 1.2

In today's urban and rural environments, waste management is becoming increasingly

challenging due to inefficiencies in waste collection, improper disposal practices, and
environmental concerns. Despite efforts by local municipalities, traditional waste disposal
methods often result in overflowing bins, unsanitary conditions, and poor waste
segregation. Furthermore, there is a significant gap in motivating individuals to engage in
responsible waste disposal behaviors.

Step 3.6 : Establish functions

1. Waste Detection and Sorting

2. Automated Lid Opening

3. Real-Time Waste Level Monitoring

Problem statement version 1.3

Traditional waste management systems struggle with inefficiencies, overflowing bins, and
improper waste disposal, leading to poor hygiene, increased contamination, and low
recycling rates. Users lack motivation to engage in responsible waste practices, and current
systems lack real-time data to optimize collection routes and improve efficiency.

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 C M R COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Kandlakoya(V), Medchal Road, Hyderabad - 501401.
Department of ECE

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