Ideaz

Where's My Bin? Waste Disposal made Easier

Problem Statement and Personal Connect:
From my personal experience, I have always had trouble finding dustbins whenever I had the need to throw away any type of trash at any place outside of my own house. Because of this, I have always needed to keep a hold of the trash until I could find a trashcan at any nearby place, but given the state of waste management in the country, the chances to find one would always be very low, and I would usually end up littering on the streets with no other options left. This is a very common problem, as other than in a few public places like fast-food centers, resturants, malls, etc., it is rather rare to find a bin within your immediate surroundings. In my opionion, this is the actual overarching problem with the majority of cities in our country - the public being unable to find the require mode of waste disposal - that leads to an overall poor living experience. 

Gaps in the Current Market:
1. Municipal bins exist but are hard to locate, and even if found, highly likely that overfilling with trash.
2. Smart City projects use GPS trucks to optimize trash collection, but do not consider the citizen’s side of the problem.
3. Private IoT bins are costly and limited to airports or malls.

My Solution:
The idea I have come up with is a mobile application combined with Internet of Things (IoT) enabled trashcans. The app will display the nearest available dustbins (integrated with your favourite map app of choice, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps) in real time, along with their status (empty, half-full, or full). Sensors placed inside the bins will track waste levels and send the data to the app accessed by the end-user.

Who all Benefit:
1. City residents and commuters, as they are easily able to find the appropraite spots for waste disposal.
2. Municipal corporations, as they gain access to real-time data about which bins need clearing, making waste collection more efficient.
3. Public spaces (campuses, malls, etc.), as they are able to maintain a hygenic environment, boosting reputation.

Why It Matters:
A very practical and everyday problem is the inability to find a conventient way to dispose waste when in a public place. Where's my Bin offers a smart solution to cleaner streets. healthier communities and a better image for cities. Integrating technology with everyday needs enables for responsible waste disposal and supports the vision of cleaner, smarter cities in India.

Technical Details:
Where’s My Bin works by placing IoT sensors inside dustbins. These sensors can detect how full the bin is and send the information to a databaste. The same data is displayed on a mobile app, which helps citizens find the nearest available bin and tells municipal staff which bins need emptying. The app also has GPS integration so bins are visible on a map.