A Blockchain-Based Recycling Platform Using Image Processing, QR Codes, and IoT System

Abstract

The climate crisis is one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century. The primary cause of high carbon emissions is industrial production that relies on carbon-based energy sources such as fuel oil, paraffin, coal, and natural gas. One of the effective methods to minimize carbon emissions originating from the use of energy resources is using recycling systems. A blockchain-based recycling platform was developed in this regard, adhering to the basic principles of Industry 4.0, which Robert Bosch GmbH and Henning Kagermann’s working group described as an industrial strategy plan at the Hannover Fair in 2013. Concurrently, the recycling platform has set up an infrastructure that combines blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies for recycling objects. An IoT-based smart device was developed to collect recyclable objects. Thanks to the embedded artificial intelligence software and QR code sensor on the device, recyclable objects can be collected in different hoppers. In the laboratory studies, correct object recognition success was achieved at a rate of 98.2%.