Smart Garbage Can: A Cellular IoT Solution for Automated Waste Management

Our Smart Garbage Can is equipped with sensors that can monitor the level of garbage in your bin and alert you when it needs removal.

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What Did You Create?

The system is built around a Raspberry Pi Zero, an ultrasonic distance sensor, and a LED indicator. It uses a Soracom SIM and a 3G USB dongle (MS2131i‑8) to transmit data over the cellular network.

When the sensor detects that the bin is full, a red LED lights up to signal that waste should be collected.

Data is sent via MQTT over TLS, ensuring end‑to‑end encryption before reaching the cloud.

Building the Sensor

First, the ultrasonic sensor and LED were wired to the Raspberry Pi using female‑to‑female jumper cables.

Power

The unit is powered by an InIu portable battery pack, providing several days of operation on a single charge.

All telemetry is transmitted securely over the cellular connection, encrypted at the cloud level and protected by TLS.

Creating a Cellular Connection

A 3G USB dongle (MS2131i‑8) was attached to the Raspberry Pi and configured to use the Soracom SIM, establishing a reliable cellular link.

Putting It All Together

The components were secured inside the bin lid with durable duct tape, and the LED was mounted on the top surface. After three weeks, the assembly remains firmly in place.

The Python script runs via SSH on the Raspberry Pi, processing sensor readings and controlling the LED indicator based on the bin’s fill level.

Discover how this low‑cost, high‑impact solution can streamline waste collection and reduce landfill traffic.

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