ECO-SORT

Abstract
In an effort to enhance waste management and recycling efficiency, our project presents an innovative
waste sorting system designed to categorize waste into distinct classes: Metal Waste, E-Waste, Plastic
Waste, Paper Waste, and Other Waste. Combining sensors, computer vision, and machine learning
techniques, the system identifies and sorts diverse waste materials accurately. The project aims to
contribute to sustainable waste management practices by automating the sorting process, and
promoting efficient material recovery from a wide array of waste.

Idea Introduction

In an era where environmental concerns have taken centre stage, the need for innovative solutions
to combat waste pollution has never been more urgent. Our project, "ECO-SORT," stands as a
testament to our commitment to building a sustainable future by addressing one of the most
pressing issues of our time – garbage segregation.

As urbanization and consumption rates continue to rise, so does the amount of waste generated,
leading to significant ecological consequences. Garbage segregation emerges as a crucial step
towards minimizing these impacts, as it enables the efficient sorting and recycling of different types
of waste materials. Our project not only aim to improve waste management; it strives to
revolutionize the way we view and manage waste.

"Eco-sort" is not just a project; it is a comprehensive solution that combines cutting-edge

technology, community engagement, and public awareness. Our approach involves the development
of an advanced waste segregation system that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning
algorithms to accurately sort various types of waste into their respective categories. This technology
promises to enhance the efficiency of recycling processes and reduce the burden on landfills.
The results of the study revealed that 18.3% disposed of plastic materials as waste. The study also
showed that 50.3% of the households segregate their waste while 49.7% did not. About 95.9% of
the respondents were aware that improper waste management leads to disease, such as Diarrhoea
and Malaria.

However, our project's impact goes beyond technology. We recognize that effective waste
segregation requires a collaborative effort involving every member of the community.

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

The concept of sustainable cities and communities is closely aligned with the United Nations'
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11: "Make cities and human settlements
inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable."
Sustainable cities and communities are a critical aspect of global efforts to address climate change,
promote social equity, and ensure long-term environmental and economic well-being. These cities
are designed and managed in ways that minimize their impact on the environment, support social
inclusivity, and foster economic prosperity.
Waste management, including garbage segregation, is closely related to environmental concerns
such as pollution reduction, sustainable development, and resource conservation. These topics often
overlap with discussions within the G20 that pertain to sustainable growth, climate change, and the
global management of natural resources. While not a central focus, waste management and
environmental issues are certainly part of the broader discussions on sustainability within the G20.

Impact of the problem idea is addressing

Waste segregation is critical because of the fact that certain types of wastes can be hazardous and
can contaminate the environment if not managed correctly. (Some of these types of waste may also
have the potential to cause disease or get into water supplies or contaminate the land with different
types of leachates.)
When waste is unsegregated, it may get contaminated with different types of waste being stored
together. Such waste cannot be treated or managed and most of the time end up being dumped into
local dump yards or landfills. With waste segregation, management of different types of wastes
becomes possible. This directly results in reduced amounts of waste being dumped at dump yards or
landfills.
Waste Segregation is always step one for all types of waste management solutions that may be
implemented either on individual level or community level.

Impact on Environment

Separating waste helps reduce landfill waste. Today, landfills are a growing problem because of the
increasing population and their consumption patterns. Waste segregation is an ideal way to diminish
the impact of landfills on the environment as well as health issues that can result from improperly
disposed of wastes and toxins.

Impact on Society

The results of the study revealed that 18.3% disposed of plastic materials as waste. The study also
showed that 50.3% of the households segregate their waste while 49.7% did not. About 95.9% of
the respondents were aware that improper waste management leads to disease; such as Diarrhoea
and Malaria. There were associations between locality, age and house type with waste segregation
practices among respondents (Chi-square test, p<0.05). Associations were also found between
locality with the perception of improper waste management which lead to disease (Chi-square test,
p<0.05). Principal Component Analysis showed that 17.94% of the variance has high positive
loading (positive relationship) with age, marital status and, type of house.
Hardware Description

Fig. 1 Rough Sketch of proposed Solution

The envisioned solution comprises a conveyor belt meticulously designed to guide waste
materials through a sequence of sensors. Complementing this is an ingenious incorporation of
four movable walls, strategically positioned to expertly channel waste items into their designated
bins.

It encompasses a comprehensive hardware setup. The core components include the

STM32H747I-DISCO microcontroller, B-CAMS-OMV, Inductive Proximity Sensor, Capacitive
Proximity Sensor, Ultrasonic Sensor, and IR Sensor acting as the sensory backbone. Additionally,
the Conveyer Belt, Servo Motors, and Stepper Motors form the integral actuators within the
system.
1. STM32H747I-DISCO

The STM32H747I-DISCO Discovery kit is a

complete demonstration and development
platform for STMicroelectronics
STM32H747XIH6 microcontroller.

The full range of hardware features available

on the boards helps users improve
application development by an evaluation of
all the peripherals (USB OTG HS, Ethernet,
microSD™ card, SAI Audio DAC stereo
with audio jack input and output, MEMS
digital microphone, SDRAM, Quad-SPI
Flash, DCMI connector, MIPI® DSI
interface, and others). Arduino™ Uno V3
and Pmod™/STMod+ connectors provide
easy connection to extension shields or Fig. 2 STM32H747I-DISCO
daughterboards for specific applications.

2. B-CAMS-OMV

The camera module bundle (B-CAMS-OMV)

provides extension connectors for the
MB1379 STMicroelectronics camera module
daughterboard or third-party modules like
OpenMV and Waveshare modules. It can be
used with the STM32 boards featuring a
1 × 30 pin ZIF connector for the connection of
multiple cameras to implement computer
vision on STM32 microcontrollers easily.
Fig. 3 B-CAMS-OMV
3. Inductive Proximity Sensor

Inductive proximity sensors are widely used in

industrial applications to detect metallic objects
without physical contact. They consist of a coil and an
oscillator circuit, which generate an electromagnetic
field and a high-frequency magnetic field. When a
metallic object enters the sensor's detection range, it
disrupts the magnetic field, causing changes in the
sensor's output. Inductive proximity sensors provide
digital output signals, such as NPN (Normally Open)
or PNP (Normally Closed), indicating the presence or
absence of a metallic object within the sensing range.
Fig. 4 Inductive Proximity Sensor

In waste separation processes, inductive proximity sensors

can play a crucial role by detecting metallic waste, triggering a sorting mechanism, and
ensuring accurate and efficient separation. Real-time operation ensures accurate and efficient
separation, and adjustability allows for accommodating different types of metallic waste.
Inductive proximity sensors can be integrated with automated systems and robotics for even
 more precise and efficient waste separation. This enables efficient recycling and
resource recovery.

4. Capacitive Proximity Sensor

Capacitive proximity sensors are a

type of sensor that detects the
presence or absence of objects by
measuring changes in capacitance.
They work by detecting non-metallic
materials like plastics, liquids, and
certain types of paper. Key
components of a capacitive proximity
sensor include electrodes, oscillator
circuit, dielectric material, and
limited detection range.
Fig. 4 Capacitive Proximity Sensor
Capacitive proximity sensors can be used in waste
sorting processes to differentiate plastic and paper waste from regular waste. They create a
detection zone, detect material detection, detect capacitance change, and generate an output
signal. The sensor can activate a sorting mechanism based on the output signal, directing waste
items to separate containers or conveyors. Real-time operation ensures accurate and efficient
waste separation, and sensitivity adjustment can optimize performance for different waste
materials and environmental conditions. Regular feedback and maintenance ensure consistent
and reliable operation. Implementing capacitive proximity sensors in waste separation
processes can aid in efficient recycling, resource recovery, and waste management practices.

5. Ultrasonic Sensor
Ultrasonic sensors are devices that detect the
presence or absence of objects in a specific area
by emitting ultrasonic sound waves and
measuring the time it takes for the waves to
reflect off and return. These sensors consist of
a transmitter, receiver, time-of-flight
measurement, microcontroller, and output
signal.

Ultrasonic sensors can be used to automate the Fig. 5 Ultrasonic Sensor

initiation of a conveyor belt when an waste is
detected in a specific location. The process involves sensor placement, emission of ultrasonic
waves, object detection, time-of-flight measurement, distance threshold, conveyor activation,
object clearing, and real-time operation. This technology enhances efficiency and reduces the
need for manual control, making it useful in various industrial and logistical applications. By
integrating ultrasonic sensors with conveyor systems, an automated process can be created
that starts the conveyor belt when an waste is detected in a specific area, enhancing efficiency
and reducing the need for manual control.
6. IR Sensor

IR (Infrared) sensors can classify paper and plastic

waste by detecting their distinct reflective
properties towards infrared light. These sensors can
be installed at specific points along waste sorting
lines or conveyor belts, emitting an infrared beam
of light. The IR sensor detects materials by
changing the intensity of reflected IR light, and the
receiver analyzes the changes to determine if the
item is more likely paper or plastic. The sensor's
output signal indicates the classification of the
material detected. Thresholds and algorithms can
be used to make accurate classification decisions
based on the sensor's design and characteristics of Fig. 6 IR Sensor
paper and plastic waste. The sorting mechanism
can be activated based on the sensor's classification output, allowing for immediate and
accurate classification of waste materials.

7. Servo Motor

Servo motors are rotary or linear actuators that enable

precise control of position, speed, and torque in
conveyor belt systems. They consist of a motor,
encoder, gearbox, controller, encoder feedback, position
control, speed control, torque control, feedback loop,
and end effector. These motors are designed for high
precision and responsiveness, allowing for tasks like
picking, placing, and sorting items on a conveyor belt.

To use servo motors as robotic arms in conveyor belt

systems, the motor must be installed, encoder feedback
provided, programming sent, movement control, end
effector, object detection, and feedback adjustment. The Fig. 7 Servo Motor
closed-loop control system continuously adjusts the
motor's movement based on encoder feedback, ensuring accurate positioning. By
incorporating servo motors as robotic arms in conveyor belt systems, high levels of accuracy,
repeatability, and control can be achieved in tasks involving object manipulation and sorting.

8. Stepper Motor

Stepper motors are electric motors that provide precise

control over the movement of conveyor belts, enabling
accurate positioning, speed control, and discrete step
movement. They consist of a rotor, stator, coils, driver
circuit, and step angle. To use stepper motors in conveyor
belt systems, attach the motor to the system, connect it to a
dedicated driver circuit, and use the driver circuit to
generate pulse sequences. Stepper motors excel at precise Fig. 7 Stepper Motor
 positioning, allowing for linear movement, speed control, start-stop control, and open-
loop systems.

Fig. 8 Block Diagram of Electronic Circuitry

Process Flow Chart

Initiating the process, the waste is initially positioned at one end conveyer belt. Upon initiation,
the ultrasonic sensor plays the role of an initial gatekeeper, identifying the presence of waste on
the conveyor belt. This information is relayed to the STM32H747I-DISCO microcontroller,
which orchestrates the movement of the conveyor belt driven by precise stepper motors.

A pivotal point in the sorting process involves the first encounter of waste with an inductive
proximity sensor. This sensor effectuates a two-fold segregation. The waste is classified into
either metallic waste and E-waste or plastic waste, paper waste, and other waste.

For waste routed to the metallic and E-waste category, the conveyor belt guides it to the B-CAMS-
OMV. In this phase, the prowess of computer vision is harnessed to distinctly categorize Metallic
waste and E-Waste.

Conversely, waste sorted into the second category continues its journey towards a sensor array
configuration. This array, encompassing the IR Sensor, Ultrasonic Sensor, and Capacitive
Proximity Sensor, meticulously differentiates plastic waste, paper waste, and other waste.
Notably, the sensor array employs a model honed by machine learning algorithms, bolstering
accuracy and reliability.

The orchestration of Servo Motors introduces an innovative mechanism to redirect the flow. By
manipulating the walls of the conveyor belt, the Servo Motors guide the waste to its rightful
destination within dedicated bins. This approach ensures seamless and efficient sorting across a
spectrum of waste materials.
Fig. 9 Process Flow Chart
Other Data

1. As it is visible from the World Bank’s data,

majority of the waste is thrown into Open
Dumps, followed by Landfills. Our proposed
solution will help in clearing out these mountains
of trash.

Source: https://datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-
waste/trends_in_solid_waste_management.html

Fig. 10 Global Disposal of waste

2. Another World Bank data displays that after food

and green waste, the major contributor of waste
is Metal, Other, Paper, and Plastic. Although food
and green waste are biodegradable, the other are
not and fill up landfills. Hence, our proposed
solution will help clear them out by providing an
effective start in the recovery and recycling
process.

Source: https://datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-
waste/trends_in_solid_waste_management.html

Fig. 11 Global waste composition