Design and Development of a Solar-Powered Smart Trash Compactor for Sustainable Urban Waste Management in India

Abstract

This The rapid urbanization and industrialization in India have significantly exacerbated the challenges of municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Urban areas generate approximately 62 million tons of solid waste annually, with daily generation around 0.1 million tons. Traditional waste management systems are inefficient, with municipal bodies spending 60–70% of their budget on collection and 20–30% on transportation, leaving negligible resources for processing and disposal. The high volume-to-weight ratio of low-density waste (paper, plastics, packaging) causes standard bins to fill quickly, leading to frequent collection trips, increased operational costs, higher diesel emissions, and frequent overflows that create unhygienic conditions and public health hazards. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a 200 Wp solar-powered smart trash compactor tailored for Indian conditions. Leveraging abundant solar irradiance, the system enables decentralized, grid-independent operation suitable for parks, beaches, highways, and urban public spaces. The primary objective is to compress waste at the source, achieving 5–7 times volume reduction and reducing collection frequency by up to 80%. The system comprises five major subsystems: a 200 Wp polycrystalline solar panel for energy generation, PWM charge controller with 12V 42Ah battery (504 Wh capacity) for storage, IR sensor-based waste level detection, a DC gear motor-driven mechanical compaction mechanism using lead screw and compaction plate (delivering 2700 N force), and a waste storage chamber. Energy consumption per compaction cycle is only 0.056 Wh, allowing hundreds of cycles daily. A functional prototype with a 20-liter test chamber was fabricated using mild steel frame and galvanized liner. Field trials using real hostel-generated waste (plastic, paper, packaging, organic, and mixed) demonstrated an average volume reduction of 70–80%. The system exhibited strong mechanical stability (Factor of Safety 18.61) and reliable autonomous performance under tropical conditions. This solar-powered compactor offers substantial economic savings, reduced carbon emissions, improved urban cleanliness, and supports the Swachh Bharat Mission. It addresses key research gaps in low-power solar compaction systems for highmoisture Indian waste. The study provides practical design insights and performance data for wider adoption. Future work may include IoT integration, hybrid power systems, and automated segregation.