Rapid urbanization and population growth have led to a significant increase in solid waste generation. In many areas of Kolkata, vacant lands and open spaces are often used as unauthorized dumping grounds where people dispose of mixed waste, including plastics, food waste, paper, glass, and other materials. The accumulation of unsegregated waste creates foul odors, attracts insects, rodents, and stray animals, and contributes to the spread of diseases such as dengue, malaria, and gastrointestinal infections.
A major challenge in waste management is the lack of segregation at the source. When recyclable, organic, and non-recyclable waste are mixed together, recycling becomes difficult and large amounts of waste end up in landfills. This not only increases environmental pollution but also wastes valuable resources that could otherwise be recycled or converted into compost.
Municipal authorities often face difficulties in manually sorting large volumes of waste, resulting in higher operational costs and inefficient waste processing. Improper waste disposal also contaminates soil, water bodies, and the surrounding environment, affecting public health and urban cleanliness.
There is a need for an intelligent and automated solution that can efficiently segregate waste into recyclable, organic, and compostable categories. Such a system can improve recycling rates, reduce landfill waste, support sustainable waste management practices, and help create cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally responsible communities.