Smart Dustbin using Ultrasonic Sensor with Raspberry Pi

This project demonstrates how to create a smart dustbin using an ultrasonic sensor with Raspberry Pi. The system automatically detects the level of waste in the dustbin and sends an alert when the dustbin is full.

1. Introduction to Smart Dustbin

A smart dustbin is a system that can automatically detect the level of waste in a dustbin using an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor measures the distance between the sensor and the waste level, and based on the measurement, it sends an alert if the dustbin is full. This helps in managing waste and can be useful for both home and industrial applications.

2. What You Need: Components and Tools

3. Working Principle of the Smart Dustbin

The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor uses sound waves to detect the distance between the sensor and the waste level in the dustbin. The system continuously monitors this distance and, when the distance falls below a preset threshold, it triggers an alert, either in the form of a buzzer sound or a LED light, indicating that the dustbin is full.

4. Wiring Diagram: Raspberry Pi and HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor

5. Raspberry Pi Code for Smart Dustbin System

1. Install necessary libraries: `sudo apt-get install python-rpi.gpio`
2. Then upload the following Python code:

import RPi.GPIO as GPIOimport time# Set up GPIO pinsGPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)GPIO.setup(23, GPIO.OUT)GPIO.setup(24, GPIO.IN)GPIO.setup(18, GPIO.OUT)# Function to measure distancedef measure_distance():    GPIO.output(23, True)    time.sleep(0.00001)    GPIO.output(23, False)    pulse_start = time.time()    while GPIO.input(24) == 0:        pulse_start = time.time()    while GPIO.input(24) == 1:        pulse_end = time.time()    pulse_duration = pulse_end - pulse_start    distance = pulse_duration * 17150    distance = round(distance, 2)    return distance# Main program looptry:    while True:        distance = measure_distance()        print(f'Distance: {distance} cm')        if distance < 10:  # threshold for full bin            GPIO.output(18, True)  # Turn on buzzer/LED        else:            GPIO.output(18, False)  # Turn off buzzer/LED        time.sleep(1)except KeyboardInterrupt:    GPIO.cleanup()

6. Code Explanation

• The program continuously measures the distance between the sensor and the waste level in the dustbin.
• The `measure_distance()` function sends a pulse from the TRIG pin and calculates the time it takes for the pulse to return after hitting an object. This time is then used to calculate the distance.
• If the distance falls below the preset threshold (e.g., 10 cm), it triggers the buzzer or LED to indicate that the dustbin is full.

7. Applications

• Smart waste management in public places
• Automated waste tracking in offices and homes
• Industrial waste monitoring
• IoT-based waste monitoring systems

8. FAQs: Smart Dustbin with Raspberry Pi

9. Conclusion: What You’ve Learned

• How to interface the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor with Raspberry Pi
• How to measure distance using ultrasonic waves
• Creating a smart dustbin system that alerts when it's full

10. Resources and References

• https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/gpio/
• https://www.electronicwings.com/raspberry-pi/ultrasonic-sensor-hc-sr04-interfacing-with-raspberry-pi
• https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=83364
• https://www.electronicsteacher.com