KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS

ENGINEERING

MID-TERM PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

EEEG-212

WASTE SEGREGATION SYSTEM

A Third-year project report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Bachelor of Engineering.

SUBMITTED BY:
ANMOL KUMAR GUPTA (31008)
BIBEK KC (31010)
NABIN PAUDEL (31018)
SAGAR CHAULAGAI (22006)

SUBMITTED TO:
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MR OM NATH ACHARYA
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

December 2022
 CERTIFICATION

SECOND YEAR PROJECT REPORT

ON
WASTE SEGREGATION SYSTEM

SUBMITTED BY:
ANMOL KUMAR GUPTA (31008)
BIBEK KC (31010)
NABIN PAUDEL (31018)
SAGAR CHAULAGAI (22006)

Approved by:
1. Project Supervisor

___________________ ____________________________ _______

(Signature) (Name) (Date)

2. Head of the Department

___________________ ____________________________ _______

(Signature) (Name) (Date)

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 ABSTRACT

This project model develops a ‘Waste Segregation System’ which can overcome the
challenges, barriers and provides an opportunity for the improvement in waste
management and segregation. This project works by comparing the input provided in
three sensors viz. LASER-LDR sensor, Inductive Proximity Sensor and Moisture sensor
on the basis of the nature of the waste to be separated. The sensors are kept in a running
conveyor belt which turns on as soon as a waste material is detected by it. Here, Arduino
Uno board is used as the main controller and servo motor is run to separate the wastes in
different containers. The separated waste is thrown into respective bins using motor driver
and stepper motors. This project aims to help manage the solid waste by separating these
waste in the source of the waste itself.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our special gratitude to the Department of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering, Kathmandu University for providing the opportunity for helping
us improve the skill in group work, circuit design, working with electronics component,
embedded systems, sensors and many more through this project. This project wouldn’t
have been completed without the coordination, counselling and guidance of the
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, respective teachers, supervisors,
seniors and supporting project team. We are especially indebted to our project supervisor
Assistant prof. Om Nath Acharya and project coordinator Assistant prof. Pramish
Shrestha for their necessary assistance and continuous support for this project.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................iv
1. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION......................................................................................9
1.1 Background..................................................................................................................9
1.2 Motivation...................................................................................................................9
1.3 Problem Description....................................................................................................10
1.4 Objectives....................................................................................................................11
1.5 Methodology................................................................................................................11
1.6 Limitation....................................................................................................................12
1.7 Organization of report.................................................................................................12
1.8 Summary......................................................................................................................12
2. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................13
2.1 Wider Topic.................................................................................................................13
2.2 Prior and recent developments....................................................................................13
3. CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY...................................................................................15
3.1 Implementing Strategy...............................................................................................15
3.2 Working Principle......................................................................................................15
3.3 Hardware Requirements.............................................................................................18
3.3.1 Arduino Uno......................................................................................................18
3.3.2 Moisture Sensor..................................................................................................19
3.3.3 Inductive Proximity Sensor................................................................................20
3.3.4 Laser-LDR Sensor..............................................................................................21
3.3.5 Motor Driver.......................................................................................................22
3.3.6 Stepper Motor.....................................................................................................23
3.4 Software Requirement................................................................................................24
4. CHAPTER 4:SYSTEM ANALYSIS...............................................................................25
4.1 System Breakdown.....................................................................................................25
4.1.1 Working of LASER-LDR sensor......................................................................25
4.1.2 Working of Inductive Proximity Sensor............................................................26

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 4.1.3 Working of Moisture Sensor............................................................................27
4.2 Working With The Microcontroller...........................................................................28
5. CHAPTER 5: DETAILS OF PROJECT ACTIVITY......................................................30
5.1 Task Completed.........................................................................................................30
5.2 Task Remaining.........................................................................................................30
5.3 Key Issues..................................................................................................................31
6. CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORKS...............................................32
GANTT CHART..............................................................................................................33
REFERENCES................................................................................................................34

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Block Diagram of Waste Segregation System......................................................15

Figure 2: Flowchart of Waste Segregation System..............................................................17
Figure 3: Arduino Uno.........................................................................................................18
Figure 4: Moisture Sensor....................................................................................................19
Figure 5: Working of Metal Sensor......................................................................................21
Figure 6: Inductive Proximity Sensor..................................................................................21
Figure 7: Laser Transmitter Module....................................................................................21
Figure 8: LDR Sensor...........................................................................................................22
Figure 9: Motor Driver.........................................................................................................22
Figure 10: Stepper Motor.....................................................................................................23
Figure 11: Relation between Resistance and Intensity.........................................................25
Figure 12: Inductive Sensor in Presence and Absence of target..........................................27
Figure 13: Metal Detector....................................................................................................27
Figure 14: Moisture Sensor..................................................................................................27
Figure 15: Flowchart of the Code.........................................................................................29

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Technical Specifications of Inductive Proximity Sensor.......................................26

Table 2: Technical Specifications of Moisture Sensor.........................................................28

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 ABBREVIATIONS

S.N. Abbreviations Full Form

1. LASER Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
2. LDR Light Dependent Resistor
3. IDE Integrated Development Environment
4. ADC Analog to Digital Converter
5. DAC Digital to Analog Converter
6. PCB Printed Circuit Board

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 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background

The rapid growth in the population has led to the rapid increase in the volume of waste
being generated on a daily basis. This increase in the generation of waste due to
continuous growth in the urbanization and industrialization has become a severe problem.
It is also posing a serious problem for the local authorities to manage the wastes being
dumped everywhere as landfill. The disposal method of a voluminous amount of
generated waste has had an adverse effect on the environment. Unplanned open dumping
at landfill sites made by municipal is a common method of disposal of waste. Human
health, plant and animal life are affected due to this method. But only a small portion of
these waste are recycled. The unplanned dumping of the waste is hazardous to
environment which in turn affects the human life and other organisms in the environment.

In this paper, we have implemented a waste segregation system for segregating the waste.
When the waste is segregated into basic streams such as wet, dry and metallic, the waste
has a higher potential of recovery and consequently recycled and reused. The wet waste
fraction is often converted either into compost or methane-gas or both. Compost can
replace demand for chemical fertilizers, and biogas can be used as a source of energy. The
metallic waste could be reused or recycled.

Even though there are large-scale industrial waste segregators present, it is always much
better to segregate the waste at the source itself. Doing this, the occupational hazard for
waste workers is reduced. Also, the segregated waste could be directly sent to the
recycling and processing plant instead of sending it to the segregation plant than to the
recycling plant. In this project, we are segregating the waste into metallic/non-metallic,
wet and dry waste and further into plastic and non-plastic waste by using the inductive
proximity sensor, moisture sensor and LASER-LDR sensor respectively.

1.2. Motivation

The most effective and basic solution to above mentioned problem is the segregation of
the solid waste at the source itself. For this, the system to sort the wastages on the basic of
its nature can be a cost effective and efficient way to reduce the solid waste. To overcome

9
this problem a well organised waste segregation system is proposed. The foremost goal of
this project is to automatically segregate the wastes. IR sensor identifies the objects,
Moisture and metal sensors detects the wet and metal waste. The waste is dropped inside
the bin where the sensor identifies the type of the waste. The Bin consists of three
partitions inside were each bin collects each waste respectively. The motor then rotates
and respective partitions gets opened and respective wastes are collected.

1.3. Problem Definition

Waste management has been a perennial problem in Kathmandu valley. Every day, About
3.32 million people in 18 municipalities of the Kathmandu valley produce around 1200
metric tons of waste of which 50 percent is produced from Kathmandu Metropolitan city
alone. The landfill site at Sisdole, around 27 km southwest of the valley spread over 37.65
hectare has almost reached its capacity [1]. This is only a case study of the capital city of
the country. The disposal of such large amount of waste is creating an adverse effect not
only on the environment and ecology but also on the human health.

The unmanaged garbage dump can produce an unnatural amount of methane that abets
climate change and has a bad effect on human health. This emission of methane has a
long-term effect on the ecosystem. It increases the risk of global warming, abets climate
change, and might also start a fire in the area. It can also cause pollution of local
environment, off grassing of the methane generated by decayed organic waste, disease
vectors like rats and flies. Not only is this but there a higher risk of some soluble matters
along with leachates (liquid formed when waste breaks down in the landfill and water
filters through that waste) in the garbage mixing up with the water. These leachates
produce a high amount of ammonia as well as other poisons such as mercury, creating
eutrophication, a gradual process where the entire body of water is contaminated with
chemicals such as phosphorus, ammonia and nitrates, or a shortage of oxygen in adjacent
water sources, due to increased plant growth. Due to a shortage of oxygen, eutrophication
causes “dead zones” where creatures cannot survive [2].

The authorities only cannot solve this problem alone and the pile of the waste produced
from our household and work itself will never be reduced. The problem can get worse if
we don’t start working on the segregation of the waste at source itself which can solve the
major part of this problem by reducing the waste by a large amount.

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1.4. Objectives

1.4.1. Primary Objective

 To design and construct waste segregation system capable of sorting the waste on
the basis of the nature of it and collect it in different containers.

1.4.2. Secondary Objectives

 To be able to build a system using embedded systems and knowledge of digital logic
and electronics.
 To understand the working of microcontroller and embedded system, sensors and
other components used in this project.
 To achieve team coordination among team members and learn to work effectively as a
team through project work.
 To provide the base or platform for future amendments and futuristic modifications.

1.5. Methodology

The detailed literature review and technical survey has been carried out for the detailed
study of the project and components involved in it. After the project has been approved
and supervisor has been appointed, we worked together as a team by dividing the tasks
among the teammates to carry on the project in the limited timeframe available to us. The
individual sensors has been tested with their individual code in the Arduino UNO board.
We shall work on the circuit prototype for designing and assembling the remaining parts
in the embedded system which will finally complete the prototype to function fully as
described in the report.

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1.6. Limitations

 The laser based ldr may have problem in detecting the light passing through plastic,
because of small surface area and refraction property of plastic.
 Mixed up garbage can't be detected or there must be time interval between the wastes
in the stepper.
 Some plastic wastes may completely absorb light such as black plastics.

 Some metals can't be kept together as they may react hazardously.

1.7. Organization of report

The first chapter of the report comprises of Introduction which consists of sub-topics like
background, motivation, problem description, methodology, objectives, limitations, etc.
The second chapter gives the detailed literature survey and the technological survey. It
also introduces us about various components, sensors and embedded systems to be used
for the completion of the system. The third chapter of the report deals with the system
analysis and the detailed discussion on how the project is to be carried out throughout the
year and also talks about the detailed working of the system. The last part concludes the
report and gives a short summary of the project. Then the references taken from external
texts are given.

1.8. Summary

In this introduction chapter, the main theme of the project is discussed. The purpose and
its implementation in our daily life is included in this section. The first chapter of this
report mainly deals with the introduction part of the project. A basic background of the
project is discussed with the need of an automated waste segregation system is
highlighted in this section. The main objective and other secondary objectives are also
discussed and the overall methodology of this project is also summarized.

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 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1. Wider Topic

Waste is directly linked to human development, both technological and social. The
compositions of different wastes have varied over time and location, with industrial
development and innovation being directly linked to waste materials. Examples of this
include plastics and nuclear technology. Waste management is the collection, transport,
processing (waste treatment), recycling or disposal of waste materials, usually ones
produced by human activity, in an effort to reduce their effect on human health or local
aesthetics or amenity. It can involve solid, liquid or gaseous substances with different
methods and fields of expertise for each.

Many method of waste reduction had evolve over the years and the way they are been
done varies from one country to another and also with respect to the type waste generated
as well as the countries productivity strength. The 3-R method of waste control are
reduce, reuse and recycle. Over time, besides conventional methods, many automated
systems have evolved to handle this issue in the ground level itself.

3.2. Prior and Recent Development

Amrutha Chandramohan states there is no such system for segregation of wastes into
categories such as dry, wet and metallic wastes at the household level. A Waste
Segregator system can be used at the household level so that the waste can be sent directly
for processing. The waste segregator system employs inductive sensors to identify
metallic items, and capacitive sensors to distinguish between wet and dry waste
depending upon the threshold values set. However, it cannot segregate ceramic into dry
waste because it has the higher relative dielectric constant as compared to other dry
wastes that are segregated. By increasing accuracy and overall efficiency, we can
eliminate noise [3].

The limitations of this system are it can segregate only one type of waste at a time with an
assigned priority for metal, wet and dry waste. Thus, buffer spaces can be used to
segregate a mixed type of waste. Since the time for sensing metal objects is low the entire
sensing module can be placed along a single platform where the object is stable to ensure
better results. Snehal Lopes proposed an IoT based waste segregation system that senses

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the entry of debris using an ultrasonic sensor. They have used a metallic sensor to detect
metal waste and capacitive sensors to detect the dry and wet waste. Here, Arduino Mega
2560 is used as the main controller. Along with waste segregation, the waste segregator
displays the level of garbage in the dustbins and also sends an alert message [4].

Deeksha More used an IR sensor to detect the waste. The bin has different portions and
sensors. A robotic arm is implemented for pick and place of the waste. The robotic arm
will pick the waste only when it is detected by the IR sensor. The system is implemented
using the LPC2148 microcontroller and a LCD display is used to indicate the status of the
bin [5].

Pushpa implemented an 8051 microcontroller-based waste segregator. Here, an IR sensor

is used to sense the waste at the entry. Waste is put on a conveyor belt, which is moved
with the help of DC servomotor. Inductive proximity sensor is used to detect metal waste.
Blower mechanism is used to detect the dry and wet waste. Here, a relay is used to control
the conveyor belt and the AC speed blower. An ultrasonic sensor is used to sense the
waste just before the blower and when the sensor detects the waste, then the blower gets
ON for some particular time and gets OFF [6].

Depending on the above survey, we will be designing and constructing a waste

segregation system which will be capable of sorting the waste according to the nature of it
using different sensors modules. The dry/wet waste can be detected using moisture
sensor, the metal/non-metal waste can be detected using metal sensor and plastic/non
plastic nature of the waste can be detected using Laser-LDR sensor. We will be using
Arduino Uno as the controller of the system to drive different motors to segregate the
waste.

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 CHAPTER-3 PROJECT METHODOLOGY

3.1. Implementing Strategy

The project is aimed for managing the collected urban wastes by segregating them into
three core category such as Household wastes, Metallic wastes and Plastic wastes. An
automated conveyor belt will be operated which will drive the inputs (wastes) one by one
into the respective sensors put in the belt itself. The input point from where the waste is
given to the system will be fixed and a disc will be rotated using the stepper motor which
contain four differnet bins for four different types of waste collected as per our sensors.
The entire system is handled by an Arduino Uno board which works as a cetral processing
unit for our system.

3.2. Working Principle

The block diagram of the Waste Segregation System is shown below in Figure 1.

Laser-LDR Sensor Stepper Motor

Inductiv
e Arduino Uno Motor Driver
Proximi
ty
Sensor

Moisture/ DC Motor to drive

Rain conveyor belt
Sensor

Figure 1: Block Diagram of Waste Segregation System

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The above block diagram conveys how our project is modeled to work. At first, all the
waste materials are provided in an automated conveyor belt. The conveyor belt will work
to move the wastes one by one to our sensors. After we provide waste at the input, at first
the moisture/rain sensor will be used to determine whether the waste is wet or dry. The
household waste will be determined by this sensor because normally the household wastes
contain moisture in it. After this if the given waste is dry, the metal sensor will be
operated to find whether the dry waste is metallic or not. If the waste is non-metallic,
then the Laser and LDR sensor will come into action to determine if the given non-
metallic dry waste is plastic or non-plastic. The sensors thus send analog signal to
Arduino Uno and the dc motor and servo motor is controlled accordingly. The Arduino
UNO board consists of AT-MEGA 328 microcontroller which has a SRAM, flash ADC,
EP-ROM and 32 general purpose registers of its own which makes the chip easy to write
and store the programs in the chip. The UNO provides an output which will drive the
motor in order to segregate the waste provided.

System starts by giving one kind of waste at the input point. Initially, a conveyor belt is
operated using dc motor which will slide the waste one by one into the respective sensors.
the waste is examined by LASER-LDR Sensor to check if the waste is
plastic(transparent) or not. If the waste is plastic, then the waste will be dropped with the
help of stepper motor in the Household bin. If our waste is not plastic, then the waste will
be sensed by the metallic sensor in order to find whether the waste is metallic or not. If
the waste is sensed as metallic then the disc will rotate again and will be dropped in the
Metal bin. If it’s not metallic then it will be further examined by moisture sensor to know
if the waste is wet or dry. The wet waste will be dropped into Plastic bin and dry waste
will be dropped into different bin.

The individual sensors provide their inputs into the microcontroller unit which turns the
stepper motor kept in a rotating disc containing four different bins for four different types
of waste materials to be separated. Each sensors will provide a voltage in the range of 0
and 5 V which will be recognized by the ADC as ‘LOW’ and ‘HIGH’ respectively and
the arduino implements that into the stepper motor on the same basis.

The detailed flowchart of the system is given in figure 2.

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Figure 2: flowchart of the project

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3.3. Hardware and sensors Requirements

3.3.1. Arduino UNO

The Arduino Uno is a popularly used open-source micro-controller board that runs on
ATmega 328P micro-controller. This board is developed by Arduino.cc which is an Italy
based hardware company. This board contains a set of digital and analog I/O data pins
that are used to interface this board with other electronic components. Arduino Uno
consists of 14 digital pins and 6 analog pins. This board can be programmed with the help
of Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that supports embedded C, its
back-end is constructed using JAVA. Uno consists of an USB port through which the
code can be uploaded on to the board. This post can also be used to power the board by
connecting it to a laptop, PC, etc. Along with a USB port, it also has a DC input power
jack. An external battery of 9V can also be used to power Arduino board.

Figure 3: Arduino Uno

Source: (https://store.arduino.cc/products/arduino-uno)

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Technical Specifications of Arduino :

Operating Voltage: 5V

Input Voltage: 7-20V

DC current per I/O pin: 20 mA

Flash Memory: 32 KB

Clock Frequency: 16 MHz

No. of digital pins: 14

No. of analog pins: 6

The advantages of Arduino over 8051 or any micro-controller in the 8051 family is
countless. Arduino contains inbuilt ADC and DAC which is not the case with 8051.
Programming Arduino is simpler because it can be programmed using an IDE that
supports C programming but 8051 has to be programmed using assembly language
programming.

3.3.2. Moisture Sensor

As the name indicates, this sensor is used to measure the moisture content in a given

material. The sensing pad with series of exposed copper traces, together acts as a variable
resistor (just like a potentiometer) whose resistance varies according to the amount of
water on its surface.

Figure 4: Moisture Sensor

Source: (https://www.electronicslovers.com/2018/10/arduino-based-automated-waste-segregator)

19
This resistance is inversely proportional to the amount of water:

 The more water on the surface means better conductivity and will result in a lower
resistance.
 The less water on the surface means poor conductivity and will result in a higher
resistance.
The sensor produces an output voltage according to the resistance, which by measuring
we can determine whether it’s raining or not.

3.3.3. Inductive Proximity Sensor

An inductive proximity sensor is a device that uses the principle of Faraday’s law of
electromagnetic induction to detect the metal objects (Fig.4). It has a short sensing range
(varies from 0.5 mm to 40 mm), and it depends on the type of the metal being detected.
This sensor has four components. The oscillator, coil, detection circuit and output circuit.
When the power supply is ON, with the help of the oscillator and coil, an electromagnetic
field is formed around the sensing surface. When a metal object approaches the
electromagnetic field, an eddy current flows in the object due to electromagnetic
induction.

Figure 5: Working of Metal Sensor

Source: (https://automation-insights.blog/basic-operating-principle-of-an-inductive-proximity-sensor/?)

This eddy current flow opposes the original magnetic field. As a result, the oscillator
voltage is reduced. The detecting circuit detects the decrement in the oscillator voltage
and triggers an output from the output circuitry.

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Technical Specifications:

Operating Voltage: 5V

Sensing Range (In case of ferrous waste): 5-3 cms

Sensing Range (Absence of ferrous waste): 1-1.5 cms

Figure 6: Inductive Proximity Sensor

Source: (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/home.jsp)

3.3.4. Laser LDR Sensor

Laser Transmitter module acts as the source of light. This module emits red light and the
wavelength of the laser output is 650 nm. (The Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) or
photoresistor is made of semiconductor material with a high resistance).

Figure 7: Laser Transmitter Module

Source: (https://www.electronicslovers.com/2018/10/arduino-based-automated-waste-segregator-)

In this system, the laser transmitter and LDR are placed directly opposite to each other,
and LDR is connected to the analog pin A0 of the Arduino. If the laser beam is
interrupted, the intensity of light falling on the LDR sensor decreases, the resistance of the

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LDR increases, thereby the analog output voltage from the LDR is decreased. If there is
no interruption, the intensity of light falling on the LDR sensor increases, the resistance of
the LDR decreases, and the analog output voltage from the LDR is increased.

This analog voltage from LDR is converted into a digital value from 0 to 1023 by the
built-in ADC within the Arduino. If the output of ADC lies in between 600 to 750, the
waste is detected as paper, otherwise as plastic. In the AWS system, any paper waste
blocks the laser beam, whereas the plastic waste allows the laser beam to fall on the LDR
sensor.

Figure 8: LDR Sensor

Source: (https://www.electronicslovers.com/2018/10/arduino-based-automated-waste-segregator)

3.3.5. Motor Driver

Figure below shows the L293D motor driver which consists of a L293D IC. This IC
consists of 16 pins. The motor inputs are connected to Arduino Uno. L293D IC can be
used to run two motors both in clockwise or anti clockwise at a time. It has two H-bridges
which are used to control two DC motors or one stepper motor.

Figure 9: Motor Driver

Source: (https://www.electronicscomp.com/l293d-motor-driver-shield-arduino-india)

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3.3.6. Stepper Motor

A stepper motor is an electric motor whose main feature is that its shaft rotates by
performing steps, that is, by moving by a fixed amount of degrees. This feature is
obtained thanks to the internal structure of the motor, and allows to know the exact
angular position of the shaft by simply counting how many steps have been performed,
with no need for a sensor. This feature also makes it fit for a wide range of applications.

The basic working principle of the stepper motor is the following: By energizing one or
more of the stator phases, a magnetic field is generated by the current flowing in the coil
and the rotor aligns with this field. By supplying different phases in sequence, the rotor
can be rotated by a specific amount to reach the desired final position. Figure
below shows a representation of the working principle. At the beginning, coil A is
energized and the rotor is aligned with the magnetic field it produces. When coil B is
energized, the rotor rotates clockwise by 60° to align with the new magnetic field. The
same happens when coil C is energized. In the pictures, the colors of the stator teeth
indicate the direction of the magnetic field generated by the stator winding.

Figure 10: Stepper Motor Steps

Source: https://www.monolithicpower.com/en/stepper-motors-basics-types-uses

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3.4. Software Requirement

Arduino IDE

Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software platform that enables a

user to program Arduino or any controller of the ATmega family. The back-end of this
software is developed using JAVA. This IDE provides a user the liberty to program an
Arduino using C language. It connects to the Arduino and hardware to upload programs
and communicate with them. The IDE consists of two main parts viz.

 void setup (): This is the location where a user can initialize all the variables that will
be required during the course of programming a system. As the name suggests, this
function is used to set up an Arduino before interfacing it with other circuits. This
area can also be used to include libraries of various sensors. The popularly used
functions in void setup are:
 pinMode: This function is used to declare pins of Arduino as input or output.
 serial.begin: This function is used when Arduino is communicating with other sensors
or devices. This enables a user to set a specific baud rate for communication purpose.
 void loop (): The code written in this space will run over and over again unless
Arduino is interrupted using an interrupt or the USB cable is disconnected from the
USB port. The different functions that are often used in void loop are:
 digitalWrite: This function is used to make a specific pin on Arduino logically HIGH
or LOW.
 digitalRead: This function is used when there is a need to read digital data from a
sensor or when we have to control something using a switch/ push button.
 AnalogRead: This function comes in handy when we have to read analog data from a
sensor eg. Analog read is used when there is a need to read data from a potentiometer.
 AnalogWrite: This function is used when a user wants to supply analog voltages to a
component. The best example of analog write is when the intensity of LED is
controlled using a potentiometer and analog write function.

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 CHAPTER IV: SYSTEM ANALYSIS
4.1. System Breakdown
4.1.1. working of LASER-LDR sensor

LDR exhibits photoconductivity and changes its resistance as a function of the intensity
of light falling on it. The resistance of LDR increases as the magnitude of light fades.

Figure 11: relation between resistance and intensity

Source: https://www.electroduino.com/ldr_light-dependent-resistor-or-photoresistor/
In this sensor, the LASER is placed at one side of the conveyor belt where the LDR is
kept at the other side of it, when the transparent object passes through it, the laser can
easily pass through the object tof reach the LDR and the resistance of the LDR will be
low, which in turn gives a high signal to the signal conditioning block. The signal
conditioning circuit will then convert the signal in the range of 0-5V and send it to the
arduino. The Arduino will then turn on the stepper motor.

Figure 12: LASER_LDR sensor

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The sensor module shown above consists of two parts, transducer part and signal
conditioning circuit. We have used a torch- LDR to simulate the LASER in software, but
the implementation in the hardware has been done with the LASER itself. In the sensor,
we have the LDR which has the negative relation between light intensity and resistance as
shown in the figure above. Since the output given by the comparator is not enough for the
ADC of the microcontroller, we have used a signal conditioning circuit which helps to
convert the voltage output from the comparator in the range of 0-5V which would be an
appropriate voltage level for the ADC of the microcontroller.

4.1.2. Working of Inductive Proximity Sensor

An inductive sensor is a non-contact type of sensor, helpful in the detection of metallic

objects. It can sense ferrous as well as non-ferrous materials. The sensing range is up to
100 mm. However, the level of sensitivity defers while sensing non-ferrous material.
Look at the table below.

Sensitivity when different objects are present,

Fe 37(Iron) 1*d
Stainless steel 0.9*d
Brass Bronze 0.5*d
Copper 0.4*d
Aluminum 0.4*d

Table 1: specification of Inductive Proximity Sensor

d= sensing distance
From the table above, we can say that the sensor works best with ferrous material.
When a metal target enters the magnetic field created by coil, eddy current circulates
within the target. This causes load on the sensor which decreases the oscillator’s
amplitude. As the target reaches close to the sensor further the oscillator’s amplitude
decreases.

The trigger circuit is normally a Schmitt trigger. It monitors the amplitude of an oscillator.
If the oscillator’s amplitude reaches a predetermined level, the trigger circuit gives the
signal to the output circuit to switch-ON the output.

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 Figure 13: inductive sensor in presence and absence of target
Source: https://engineershub.co.in/inductive-proximity-sensor-working-principle/
A simple metal detector can be shown as

Figure 13: Metal Detector

4.1.3. Working of Moisture Sensor

Figure 14: moisture sensor

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In the circuit given above, a moisture sensor is designed which takes input from the probe
which acts as a variable resistor of infinite resistance (switch). When the moisture from
the waste material falls on the sensor, the resistance decreases and the output is provided
in to the signal conditioning circuit attached with the transducer part. The significance of
the signal conditioning circuit is that the signal conditioning block provides the output in
the range of 0-5 V which will be sufficient for the ADC of the microcontroller to
acknowledge a signal.

The following table shows the specification of a moisture sensor.

Parameter Minimum Typical Maximum Unit

Working Voltage 2.1 5 5.5 VDC

Analog Output Voltage(VCC=5) 0 Vout 5 V

The digital output voltage(VCC=5) 0 - 5 V

Working Current(VCC=5) -  - ma

Threshold Hysteresis - VCC*0.09 - V

Table 2: Specification of Moisture Sensor

4.2. Working With the Microcontroller

The Arduino UNO uses AT-Mega 328 microcontroller. We are using Arduino UNO
board as a central controller of our entire project. This board will take input from all of
our sensors, process it according the code provided by the user, and rotates the stepper
motor and DC motor (to run the conveyor belt attached with the system).
The detailed flowchart of our code is provided belw:

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 Figure 15: Flowchart of the code
The above figure shows how our code flows in the Arduino UNO board. After defining
the variables and the pins in the void (setup) of the Arduino IDE, we move to the void
(loop) section where we implement the above flowchart for the smooth operation of our
project.

At first, when the Arduino gets the input information about the waste material detected in
the conveyor belt, it turns the DC motor for the continuous running of the Conveyor belt.
The entire operation occurs in the belt itself. In the conveyor belt, we get the input
information about the waste serially in the position of our sensors viz. LASER_LDR
sensor, Inductive Proximity Sensor and Moisture sensor at last. According the flowchart

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shown above, Each sensor sends an HIGH signal (5V) to the Arduino if the waste of the
respective category is detected. While receiving the HIGH from the sensor, the Arduino
turns on the Stepper motor by sensing a HIGH pulse to it.

CHAPTER V: DETAILS OF PROJECT ACTIVITY

5.1. Task Completed
The following task has been completed till date.

1. Designing of the project

A thorough research of literature survey was done and designed handy at first before
proceding any further steps.
2. Simulation of the project
The circuit was simulated in Proteus software at the beginning which was of great help
for further testing of the circuit physically.
3. Test of components
The group was assigned to do research on each component that were to be used to design
the complete circuit and then tested in lab as well in software.
4. Coding in Arduino IDE and prototyping the circuit in breadboard
The input and output was controlled by code through Arduino IDE software and the
circuit was prototyped and tested in breadboard at Electronics Laboratory and hence, it
worked efficiently.
5. Testing and prototyping of individual senssors
The individual sensors has been tested and prototyped for the reading the data input.

5.2. Task Remaining 

1. Conveyor belt design 

We have planned our circuit in such a way that the input wastes move in the conveyor
belt where different sensors are fixed.
We are yet to work on the position for different motors to separate the wastes in their
respective bin as LDR sensor for the plastics wastes,inductive proximity sensor for the
metal wastes and moisture sensor for wet wastes and remaining for the dry wastes.
2. Prototyping the entire circuit

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We have prototyped the working of each sensors present in the project. But we are yet to
prototype the entire circuit as per our block diagram and flowchart as a whole.
3. PCB design 
We have designed the circuit in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for two of our sensors but
are yet to design the circuit in Printed Circuit Board and print the circuit for motor driver
and remaining part.
4. Mechanical Framework
We have also planned to work on the designing and construction of suitable mechanical
framework for the project in the near future. 

As we have limited time for the completion of the project, we have expected to
complete the project in time by working as a team and dividing the work within our team
members for a smooth team work among us.

5.3. Key Issues

We faced the following issues while working with the Project.
1. While simulating the project, we could not find the transducer for the moisture sensor
and Metal sensor in simulation software.
2. In our project, the range of the inductive sensor in very less, (in mm). So, it was
difficult to sense the distant objects by the sensor.

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 CHAPTER-VI: CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORKS

This project is based on the principle of multiple sensors sensing the object in a certain
order in order to segregate and sort the waste produced in our day to day life on the basis
of its nature. Each sensors attached to the system has a different working principle and
senses the input provided to the system in different manner. We expect the system to
collect the waste provided into the system to different bins driving dc motors in different
direction using motor driver. The prototype is a portable and a cost effective system
which could be able to solve the problems discussed earlier. So far, we have worked on
designing and testing individual sensors and its working with the microcontroller both in
software and in hardware. We have designed the Printed Circuit Board for two of our
sensors and calibrated them all. So, it was not much difficult to coordinate with our
supervisor and all the team members.

With a strong coordination and team work, we shall be able to complete the remaining
task of our project within the designated timeframe solving all the complexities and issues
which will finally develop a user friendly and a cost effective waste segregation system.

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 GANTT CHART

Activities July Aug/ Sept Sept/Oct Nov/Dec Mar/Apr Apr/May May

Topic Selection

Literature Review

Proposal
Submission

Component
Selection and
Testing
Circuit simulation
and prototyping

PCB design And

Mechanical
Framework

Final Assembly

Final Presentation

Work Completed
Work Remaining

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 REFERENCES

[1] https://kathmandupost.com/valley/2021/04/16/how-kathmandu-s-waste-management-
emerged-as-a-perennial-problem#:~:text
[2] https://www.nepallivetoday.com/2022/01/14/nepals-waste-mismanagement problem/
[3] Amrutha Chandramohan, Joyal Mendonca, Nikhil Ravi Shankar, Nikhil U Baheti,
NitinKumar Krishnan Suma M S, Automated Waste Segrega- tor,Rashtreeya Vidyalaya
College Of Engineering (R.V.C.E), Bangalore, In- dia. 4-5 April 2014.
[4] Snehal Lopes, Sweedle Machado, “IoT based Automatic Waste segregator”, International
Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication and Control (ICAC3), 20-21
Dec. 2019, Mumbai.
[5] E.K. Deeksha More, S. Divya, G. Kalyani, R. Gowthami, “Automatic Waste Segregator
Bin Using Robotic Arm”, 3rd IEEE International Conference on Recent Trends in
Electronics, Information & Communication Technology (RTEICT), 18-19 May 2018,
Bangalore.
[6] M.K. Pushpa, Aayushi Gupta, Shariq Mohammed Shaikh, Stuti Jha, Suchitra.V,
“Microcontroller Based Automatic Waste Segregator”, International Journal of Innovative
Research in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation and Control Engineering, Vol.3, Issue
5, May 2015.

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