AUTOMATED WASTE SEGREGATION USING SMART WET AND DRY
DUSTBIN SYSTEM FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
AN INVESTIGATORY PROJECT REPORT IN EARTH SCIENCE 11
Presented to the
JASAAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Jasaan, Misamis Oriental
______________________________________________________________
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for
EARTH SCIENCE 11
__________________________________________________
BELTRAN, RIZA V.
JABONGA, ANGEL A.
PAGARIGAN, KURT HAZEL B.
PIKIT, VASHNAH S.
RAL, WINDELYN C.
ZAMAYLA, PECHIE DRECY
Submitted to:
MR. JAMES CRUZ
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT..........................................................................................................................i
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................1
Background of the Study..................................................................................................1
Statement of the Problem..................................................................................................2
Significance of the Study..................................................................................................2
Scope and Limitation........................................................................................................3
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE...........................................................................4
CHAPTER III
MATERIALS AND METHODS.........................................................................................6
CHAPTER IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION..........................................................................................8
RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................11
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...............................................................................................12
BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................13
Automated Waste Segregation Using Smart Wet and Dry Dustbin System for
Solid Waste Management
Beltran, Riza V.
Jabonga, Angel A.
Pagarigan, Kurt Hazel B.
Pikit, Vashnah S.
Ral, Windelyn C.
Zamayla, Pechie Drecy
Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, Region 10
ABSTRACT
This investigatory project aims to determine the efficiency of using bio-waste
mainly banana peel, as natural fertilizer and pests repellent. The researchers harness
eggshells, onion, garlic, and banana peels. Observations were recorded over a 60-day
period, and results revealed that the treated plants exhibited healthier growth,
improved foliage, and minimal pest damage compared to untreated plants.
This study demonstrates the potential of biowaste as an eco-friendly and cost-
effective alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While the findings are
promising, further research is recommended to explore its long-term effects,
adaptability to other crops, and effectiveness across different soil types and
environmental conditions. This project underscores the importance of sustainable
practices in agriculture by repurposing organic waste into valuable agricultural inputs.
Keywords: bio-waste, natural fertilizer, pests repellent, sustainable agriculture,
organic waste, eco-friendly
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The Philippines is facing a significant solid waste management issue, with a
continuously increasing amount of waste and associated problems such as weak law
implementation, scarcity of sanitary landfills, and improper disposal. The country has
the RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which
emphasizes the practices of segregation, proper disposal, and waste diversion.
Encouraging people's participation and awareness is also crucial in envisioning a
trash-free Philippines. Valorization is another potential solution that can address
environmental problems and the depletion of natural resources. However, these
solutions can only be effective with good governance, active participation from the
people, and cooperation from all constituents and agencies in the Philippines.
(Coracero, et al. Dec 2021)
Waste is a natural part of the human life cycle and is produced in different
forms such as bodily waste, solid waste, hazardous waste, and even e-waste (The
Environmental Literacy Council, 2015). Among these, solid waste is one of the most
voluminous types produced globally (Hoornweg & Bhada-Tata, 2012). Solid waste is
defined as the unwanted and discarded materials produced from day-to-day human
activities (Mishra et al. 2014). This includes: "Yard waste, food waste, plastics, wood
metals, papers, rubbers, leather, batteries, inert materials, textiles, paint containers,
demolishing and construction materials as well as many others that would be difficult
to clarify. (Abdel-Shafy & Mansour, 2018).
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Smart Dustbin System aims to address challenges in waste management and
explore its potential solutions. Current waste collection methods suffer from
inefficiencies leading to environmental and health risks. The proposed Smart Dustbin
System integrates sensors and data analytics to enable real-time monitoring and
optimize waste collection routes, offering improved efficiency and reduced
environmental impact. The study aims to evaluate the system's effectiveness, analyze
its impact, and identify key implementation factors. The findings will contribute to
more sustainable waste management practices.
Significant of the Study
The study of solid waste management utilizing wet and dry smart dustbin
devices holds significant importance in addressing the global waste crisis. Smart
dustbins offer a potential solution to manage the increasing waste stream more
effectively, thereby mitigating the environmental and health consequences associated
with growing waste generation.
These smart dustbins contribute to enhancing waste management efficiency
through real-time monitoring of waste levels, which allows for more efficient waste
collection and disposal. This, in turn, reduces the need for frequent and unnecessary
collection trips, resulting in time, fuel, and resource savings. Additionally, data from
smart dustbins can be utilized to optimize waste collection routes, ensuring that waste
is collected only when necessary, thereby improving efficiency and reducing
transportation costs.
Furthermore, smart dustbins promote sustainable practices by encouraging
waste reduction and facilitating recycling and composting. By providing feedback on
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waste habits, these devices can lead to changes in consumer behavior and a shift
towards more sustainable practices. They also raise public awareness about waste
management issues and encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices.
Economically, smart dustbins can lead to cost savings by reducing the
frequency of waste collection, optimizing routes, and improving recycling rates. They
can also generate revenue through the sale of recycled materials or by providing data
analytics services to waste management companies.
From a public health and safety perspective, smart dustbins contribute to
improved sanitation by reducing the amount of waste exposed to the environment,
thereby preventing the spread of disease and enhancing public health. Additionally,
they help reduce litter by providing convenient and accessible waste disposal options,
thereby improving the aesthetics of public spaces and reducing the risk of accidents.
The utilization of wet and dry smart dustbin devices in the study of solid
waste management holds immense significance in addressing the global waste crisis,
enhancing waste management efficiency, promoting sustainable practices, generating
economic benefits, and improving public health and safety.
Statement of the Problem
This project aims to automatically separate the wet and dry waste, to prevent
stinky and smelly garbage. The problem statement of the research question are:
A). How efficient is the automated waste segregation device in all public and private
places?
B). What is the beneficial use and environmental impact of the solid waste
segregation device .
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C). What are the technical challenge and possible solution may occur in the design
automated solid waste segregation device.
Scope and Limitations
This research will focus on the analysis of an automatic waste segregation
system that integrates technology, with both environmental benefits and feasibility in
residential and commercial settings, by using smart dustbins to separate wet and dry
wastes. The study will determine whether this system increases the accuracy of waste
sorting, contamination reduction, and recycling.
However, this study is limited by a number of factors. For example, the smart
dustbin system is still at the prototype stage. It, therefore, may not very well represent
an actual application. Results are also going to be bounded by geographic and cultural
waste management practices, budget, and resource limitations that could limit the
scope of the testing and variability in behavior by users that would affect
effectiveness. It is also time-bound, which may limit its ability in ascertaining the
system's long-term performance and durability.
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CHAPTER I1
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
A. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid-waste management, the collecting, treating, and disposing of solid
material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful.
Improper disposal of municipal solid waste can create unsanitary conditions, and
these conditions in turn can lead to pollution of the environment and to outbreaks of
vector-borne disease—that is, diseases spread by rodents and insects. The tasks of
solid-waste management present complex technical challenges. They also pose a wide
variety of administrative, economic, and social problems that must be managed and
solved.(J A. Nathanson, 2024)
B. AUTOMATIC SYSTEM
Automatic systems have been proposed to perform solid source waste
segregation. These systems usually apply two sorting techniques: direct sorting, which
uses materials’ properties for separation, like magnetic susceptibility, electrical
conductivity, or material density, and indirect sorting, which uses sensors to detect
and classify objects by recycling categories. The segregation process can be
performed in two locations: At the point of waste generation, where the user directly
disposes of their waste. The sensing process is usually conducted in a chamber, and
the collected information is processed to send signals to motors or actuators, directing
the waste to the appropriate bin. In a centralized place, where sequential sensing
processes are performedas the waste is transported on a conveyor belt. Multiple
technologies, such as inductive sensors, color identification sensors, or image-based
sensors, are used to capture information from the waste. These data are processed to
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identify and place the waste into the corresponding bin. (Aebelàez-Estrada, et al.,
2023).
C. SMART DUSTBIN
These bins utilize sensors to distinguish wet and dry waste based on moisture
content, directing waste to appropriate containers for direct processing. By automating
the sorting process, smart dustbins streamline waste management, promoting
recycling and reducing reliance on manual sorting. This approach enhances resource
recovery and environmental sustainability by ensuring high-quality materials for
recycling and minimizing waste sent to landfills or incinerators. Additionally, it
reduces dependency on manual labour and optimizes the utilization of available
resources, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable waste management system.
(Dr S. Brinthakumari, et al., 2024)
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CHAPTER I1I
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The first phase of the project involved the design, development, and integration of the
smart dustbin's automatic segregation system. The time-control logic and
programming for the microcontroller were meticulously designed, setting predefined
threshold conditions that would trigger the segregation mechanism. The following
materials were prepared as shown in table 1.
Table 1. Materials and Cost
MATERIALS PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL
SERVO SG90 P150.00 1pcs P150.00
ULTRASONIC P150.00 1pcs P150.00
SENSOR
ARDUINO UNO P420.00 1pcs P420.00
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SOIL MOISTURE P150.00 1pcs P150.00
SENSOR
NUT BOLTS P2.00 3pcs P6.00
F-f Jumpers / M-f P250.00 20pcs P250.00
Jumpers
TOTAL P1,126.00
Table 1 outlines the financial advantages of employing a wet and dry segregation
system for waste management. The cost savings presented in table 1 demonstrate the
economic viability of implementing this technology.
Methods
In assembling the parts and units, the following were done as shown step 1, 2,
3, 4, and 5. All need to do is inserting the jumper wires of the sensors into Arduino
Uno.
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CHAPTER IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The Banana peel-based product combined with biowaste materials further nurtures
the fertility and repellent properties of the based product making it as a dual-purpose fertilizer
and pest repellent.
Banana peels are rich in essential nutrients and organic matter, making them effective
as organic fertilizers and biopesticides when combined with other organic materials like onion
and garlic, which possess natural pest-repelling properties (Sari et al., 2024) (Arliani et al.,
2023).
The addition of eggshells, which provide calcium and improve soil pH (acidity),
further complements this mixture, promoting plant growth and health (Khairnar & Nair,
2019). Eggshells provide a significant source of calcium, which can help neutralize soil pH
and enhance nutrient availability (Wahida, 2023) (Khairnar & Nair, 2019).
The researchers apply it through mixing the product with water at a 1:10 ratio and use
it as a foliar spray or soil drench every 7-10 days and apply it in the morning or evening when
plants are most receptive. It was directly used to avoid over-application, which may harm
plants. Monitoring plant health and adjusting application rates is needed.
Figure 1.
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The growth stages of okra plants with and without the Natural Fertilizer and Pest
Repellent product reveal significant differences, as shown in figure 1. Initially, both sets of
plants exhibit similar growth patterns, with seeds germinating and seedlings emerging within
15 days, free from pests. However, as the plants mature, notable distinctions become
apparent.
By 40 days, the plants without the product show thickened stems and growth, still
pest-free. In contrast, the treated plants exhibit enhanced leaf growth, increased plant vigor,
and pest deterrence.
At 60 days, the untreated plants produce showy flowers and okra pods but are
compromised by spider mite infestations. Conversely, the treated plants continue to thrive,
with supported flowering, fruiting, and pod growth, remaining pest-free due to the Garlic
(Allium sativum) that is known for its natural pest-repelling properties due to its sulfur
compounds, which can inhibit the growth of harmful organisms (Devi et al., 2023). Key
compounds include vinyl dithiins, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide, which were found in
high concentrations in supercritical fluid extracts of garlic (Ll. et al., 2008) (López, 2007).
These compounds exhibit significant acaricidal activity, with studies showing up to 90%
mortality in spider mites after treatment with garlic extracts (Habashy et al., 2016).
And onion peels contain antioxidants and flavonoids that can deter pests and diseases
while also contributing to soil health (Arliani et al., 2023).
The product appears most effective for okra plants but its benefits may extend to
other vegetable crops. Further research could explore its efficacy on diverse plant species.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
To further establish the effectiveness of the natural fertilizer and pest repellent
made from banana peel, eggshells, garlic, and onion, it is recommended to perform
lab testing and to extend the study over a period of one year or more. Lab testing will
help determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the product both chemically and
physically. The extended duration will allow a comprehensive assessment of the
product’s long-term effects on plant growth across different seasons, ensuring its
consistency under varying climatic conditions. Additionally, periodic soil tests should
be conducted to measure changes in pH levels, nutrient content, and microbial activity
to evaluate soil health and sustainability. The study should also monitor the product’s
ongoing effectiveness in repelling pests, especially during peak pest seasons, while
examining its potential effects on non-target organisms. Testing the product on a
variety of crops beyond okra will help determine its versatility and adaptability.
Finally, experimenting with different application methods and frequencies will
optimize the product for use across various farming scales.
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CONCLUSION
This investigatory project successfully demonstrated the potential of utilizing
bio-waste, primarily banana peels, eggshells, garlic, and onion peels, as a natural
fertilizer and pest repellent. The study highlighted that the product could enhance soil
fertility and support plant growth while minimizing the reliance on synthetic
chemicals. Through direct application to selected crops, the product showed
observable improvements in soil quality and a reduction in pest presence during the
experimental period.
However, the research’s limitations—such as the short time-frame, lack of
laboratory testing, and restricted scope—indicate the need for further studies. These
include long-term assessments across diverse soil types, plant varieties, and
environmental conditions. Nevertheless, this project affirms that biowaste-derived
solutions offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for improving agricultural
productivity while addressing environmental concerns.
This initiative not only provides an eco-friendly alternative for farmers but also
promotes the repurposing of waste into valuable agricultural inputs, contributing to
sustainable farming practices and enhanced food security.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers, would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to everyone
who contributed to the success of this study. This study would not have been possible
without the collaboration and unwavering support within their team. Through
countless hours of planning, data gathering, and analysis, they strived to produce
meaningful and impactful results.
The researchers would also like to thank their Earth Science teacher, Mr.
James Cruz, for his guidance, and valuable insights throughout this study. His
expertise and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this
research.
Finally, we are grateful to our families, friends, and colleagues for their
understanding and encouragement.
To all, they owe the success of this research. Thank you!
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