DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY - DASMARIÑAS

COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

DBB-B, 4115 West Ave, Dasmariñas, Cavite

Smart Composting System for Sustainable Organic Waste Management

presented to

MS. KATHLEEN ANN VILLANUEVA

Professor

De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology­­

In Partial Fulfillment of the Midterm Requirements for

T-CPET322

2nd Semester of A.Y. 2023-2024

Submitted by:

Canubas, Mark Roland T

Sarmiento, Iverson
Fernando, Clent
Peji, Patrick

February 2024
Chapter 1: Introduction

Our world is confronted with the pressing challenge of managing organic waste

sustainably. As urbanization continues to rise, so does the generation of organic waste,

necessitating innovative approaches to tackle this issue. In the fast-paced world of

today, where environmental concerns and sustainable practices take center stage, the

need for innovative solutions in waste management becomes increasingly crucial. In

recent decades, the escalating challenges posed by organic waste have compelled a

reevaluation of traditional waste management practices. Historically, organic waste,

including food scraps and agricultural residues, has been disposed of through

conventional means such as landfilling or open-air decomposition. However, with

urbanization, population growth, and heightened environmental awareness, these

methods have proven unsustainable.

As the population increases the supply of food increases too, frequently

harvesting plants and trees degrades the soil beneath it so that necessary actions are

needed to provide fertile soil for the cycle to continue consistently, one of these actions

is composting of organic waste to produce organic fertilizer. This research looks into the

creation and improvement of a smart composting system as it sets out on a path

towards a more sustainable future. Through automated mixing and watering functions

monitored by moisture sensors, this system aims to revolutionize organic waste

management, making it not only efficient but also environmentally conscious. Smart

composting system introduces aeration and irrigation frequently to speed up the

decomposing process which leads to much more sustainable production of fertilizer that

can be utilized in creating fertile soil.

The demand for organic produce has increased over the past few decades, along

with the consumption community surrounding organic food (Kushwah et al., 2019). Food

waste happens in various sectors including restaurants and homes. With the increase in

population, the demand for food production also increases.

Aerobic composting, according to (He et al., 2021), stands as a viable solution for

converting food waste into fertilizer through the decomposition of organic matter in

high-temperature aerobic conditions. This approach not only addresses the disposal of

perishable food waste but also provides tangible socioeconomic and ecological benefits.

Emphasizing the broader significance of composting, (Arfo’ et al., 2022) highlight

its role as a critical component within a general waste management and treatment

strategy. This holistic view positions composting beyond a mere means of product

generation, emphasizing its pivotal role in achieving comprehensive waste reduction

and contributing to environmental sustainability.

The evolution of bio-waste recycling introduces bio-waste composting, an aerobic

process described by (Chia et a.,2020), involving the biological decomposition of waste

to produce valuable soil nutrients. This transformative approach aligns with the trend in

sustainable waste management, combining waste reduction with the production of soil
enhancers or fertilizers.(Wei et al., 2022) discuss the controlled nature of composting,

describing it as a systematic process involving microbial decomposition, oxidation, and

oxygenation of organic matter in a solid and moist state. This level of control ensures

the efficient breakdown of diverse organic materials, reinforcing the effectiveness of

composting systems.

As described by (Torrijos et al., 2021), the resulting humus from composting

plays a vital role as a soil conditioner and organic fertilizer. This cyclical process not

only reduces waste but also reintroduces stable organic waste back into the production

process, exemplifying the circular nature of composting. This resonates with our pursuit

of developing a Smart Composting System, laying the groundwork for an innovative and

environmentally conscious approach to organic waste management.

Statement of the Problem

In the world of organic waste management, the existing methods face significant

inefficiencies, environmental concerns, and a lack of technological integration.

Traditional composting practices, although fundamental, exhibit limitations in control,

efficiency, and environmental impact. The absence of a comprehensive system that

combines hardware, software, and technology in waste management interventions

creates a critical gap in sustainable solutions. This study addresses the pressing need

for an advanced Smart Composting System that optimizes the decomposition process,

enhances control through automation, and minimizes environmental impact. The key

problems to be addressed include the inadequacies of existing composting methods,

the lack of a holistic technological solution, and the challenges in achieving efficient and

sustainable organic waste management practices.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, food loss and waste have

tremendously grown over the past few years. In addition to being unsightly. The lack of

effective waste management practices results in unsightly surroundings and poses

significant environmental threats, including ozone depletion, water contamination, and

aggravates of climate change. All of these factors have a negative impact on human

health (Ayilara et al., 2020). Thus, developing a smart bin for waste management is

critical.

Objectives of the Study

This study aims to aid waste management by creating a smart system for organic

waste material that will go into compost. This aims to lessen the organic waste material

that the users produce by converting biodegradable waste into fertilizer using

composting methods that will be implemented in the smart bin.

Objectives of the study are as follows:

1. Creating a Smart Composting System that will turn organic food waste into

fertilizer..

2. Monitor and control composting conditions, including temperature, moisture

content, by integrating sensors and automation technology into the smart bin.

3. Creating an Interface for the smart bin that enables easy operation and

monitoring by the user to speed up the process of decomposition.

5. Examine the smart bin system's effects on the environment, taking into

account its role in lowering food waste.

Importance and Significance of the Study

This study holds importance in revolutionizing organic waste management by

introducing a Smart Composting System. Traditional methods exhibit inefficiencies and

environmental concerns, necessitating a transformative approach. The integration of

hardware, software, and technology not only signifies a technological leap but also

addresses the critical need for environmental sustainability. The system optimizes

decompostion processes, enhances operational efficiency, and provides faster result.

The study contributes academically by advancing knowledge in technological waste

interventions and practically by offering insights applicable in real-world scenarios. With

the potential for global impact, this research signifies a pivotal step towards fostering

sustainable waste management practices.

 This study's significance lies in its emphasis on the reduction of food waste and

biodegradable material. The study underscores the significance of implementing

sustainable waste management strategies to tackle the growing issue of food waste

accumulation by stressing the advantages of composting in rerouting organic waste.

Relevance of the Study:

The relevance of this study focuses on the importance of proper waste

management. This research emphasizes the need for developing a new way of

compositing that will not affect other elements such as water being contaminated in the

process of composting.

Possible Solutions and Improvements:

This study shows a Smart Composting System prototype that promotes a more

convenient method of composting contributing to the reduction of biodegradable waste.

Direct beneficiaries include small private sectors, households, and agricultural

communities that will benefit from using these Smart Composting System for

Sustainable Organic Waste Management because this promotes a more easy and less

labor-intensive approach.

Contribution to the Fund of Knowledge:

 The study introduces an innovative Smart Composting System that integrates

automated aeration and irrigation, addressing gaps in traditional composting methods

and enhancing operational efficiency in organic waste management. The research

places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, drawing from the principles of

aerobic composting to offer a more eco-friendly approach to waste treatment practices.

Possible Implications:

Various implications, including the identification of possible causes of problems

related to traditional composting, are analyzed in the study. Reduced environmental

pollution, enhanced soil fertility through organic fertilizer production, and the

establishment of a circular economy are highlighted as positive outcomes. Automated

functions present a practical solution, promising to mitigate the identified causes and

alleviate the effects of inefficient waste management.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study focuses on the development of a Smart Composting System,

integrating hardware, software, and technology which will help in creating a compost

with less human process and faster decomposition of organic matter. The scope of this

study identifies problems associated with traditional composting, designing and

implementation of an automated system, and its impact on agricultural sustainability and

economic efficiency.
 The target sample for the study will include household, restaurants and

agricultural communities. Respondents will be formed based on their experience with

traditional composting methods to allow valuable information on whether it is possible or

beneficial for integration with the prototype of a smart composting system. The data

collection will be conducted first within Cavite, Philippines only, ranging from 50-70

respondents who are related and under the agricultural industry. The study period will

be within a year to gather as much information as possible and create a better outcome.

This will, therefore, assess the performance of the smart composting system in diverse

conditions to enhance understanding of its performance.

The scope of this study will entail an extensive analysis of all the economic,

environmental, and technological aspects of the composting process. Limitations should

be taken as control factors by accepting that there may be potential weaknesses and

uncertainties, focusing sharply on maintaining the relevancy of the research in question

and that, by understanding, some variables may be complicated or challenging to

quantify within accuracy limits.

Conceptual Framework

Aids in understanding the various steps involved in creating the smart

composting system by providing a clear visual representation of the study's input,

process, and output.

 FIGURE 1. IPO Diagram Smart Composting System

The Smart Composting System for Sustainable Organic Waste Management involves

input from researchers, environmental engineers, and waste management technicians,

along with essential hardware such as computers, composting bins, sensors, and

microcontrollers. Software tools like Multisim and Visual Studio support the design and

analysis phases. The development process encompasses patent searching, PCB

design and fabrication, composting bin construction, monitoring and control

implementation, as well as testing and optimization. The output is a sophisticated

system that integrates technology, hardware, and software, presenting a comprehensive

solution for efficient and sustainable organic waste management.

Definition of Terms

Aerobic Composting - A process that turns organic waste to compost in the presence

of air (Chemistry of Aerobic Composting, 2022).

Landfilling - final regulated disposal of waste on or into the land (Landfilling |

PreventionWeb, 2023).

Sustainable Waste Management - It involves shifting away from the conventional

produce-use-dispose model and toward a more environmentally friendly economy. (Bowser,

2022).

Environmentally Conscious - It relies on the environmentalism ideology. According to

environmentalism, all living things, including the natural world, have rights to the

environment that must be upheld (Environmental Consciousness: Definition and Trends,

2021).

Efficient - completing a task with care, thoroughness, and without wasting any money, time,

or energy (Efficient Adjective - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation and Usage Notes | Oxford

Advanced Learner’s Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com, n.d.).

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‌Landfilling | PreventionWeb. (2023, June 7).

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https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/terminology/hips/tl0043

‌Bowser, E. (2022, March 7). What Is Sustainable Waste Management? INGENIUM.

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ut%20what%20exactly%20does%20sustainable

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efficient adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford

Advanced Learner’s Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com. (n.d.).

Www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com.

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/efficient