DefinePK

Abstract

Urban population growth is putting immense strain on municipal waste systems, a challenge that is felt most acutely in rapidly developing cities. Overflowing bins, delayed pickups, and inefficient collection routes are still common despite years of incremental improvements. The Internet of Things (IoT) has shown real promise in this area, especially through the use of connected smart bins that can transmit fill-level data in real time. Yet, these systems often run on centralized databases, leaving them exposed to tampering and gaps in trust among stakeholders. In this work, we propose a waste management framework that combines IoT monitoring with a private blockchain network. Smart contracts are used not just for recording bin status but also for automating verification and service confirmation. A small-scale pilot was conducted to test the approach, measuring operational efficiency, blockchain transaction latency, and device power usage. The results were encouraging: an average 21% efficiency boost, sub-three-second transaction times, and minimal extra energy draw. These findings suggest the approach can be scaled without overburdening city budgets or technical teams. There is room for refinement, particularly in integrating AI-driven waste forecasts and renewable-powered sensors, but the initial signs point to a viable path toward more accountable and efficient urban waste management.