Smart waste bin monitoring using IoT for sustainable biomedical waste management

Abstract

AbstractSuboptimal management of healthcare waste poses a significant concern that can be effectively tackled by implementing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to enhance trash monitoring and disposal processes. The potential utilisation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in addressing the requirements associated with biomedical waste management within the Kaduna area was examined. The study included a selection of ten hospitals, chosen based on the criterion of having access to wireless Internet connectivity. The issue of biomedical waste is significant within the healthcare sector since it accounts for a considerable amount of overall waste generation, with estimates ranging from 43.62 to 52.47% across various facilities. Utilisation of (IoT) sensors resulted in the activation of alarms and messages to facilitate the prompt collection of waste. Data collected from these sensors was subjected to analysis to discover patterns and enhance the overall efficiency of waste management practices. The study revealed a positive correlation between the quantity of hospital beds and the daily garbage generated. Notably, hospitals with a higher number of beds were observed to generate a much greater amount of waste per bed. Hazardous waste generated varies by hospital, with one hospital leading in sharps waste (10.98 kgd−1) and chemical waste (21.06 kgd−1). Other hospitals generate considerable amounts of radioactive waste (0.60 kgd−1 and 0.50 kgd−1), pharmaceuticals, and genotoxic waste (16.19 kgd−1), indicating the need for specialised waste management approaches. The study sheds light on the significance of IoT in efficient waste collection and the need for tailored management of hazardous waste.