Solar-Powered Waste Compactor for Sustainable Environmental Application

Abstract

Abstract. This study presents the design, development, and field evaluation of a compact solar-powered waste compactor aimed at improving municipal solid-waste (MSW) collection efficiency. The system uses 9-V rechargeable batteries charged via a 6-V solar panel mounted on the bin lid. An embedded sensor triggers automatic compaction upon each waste deposit, supplemented by manual control. A fill-level monitoring circuit with light-emitting display indicators and a buzzer signal when capacity is reached. The compaction mechanism increases effective bin capacity by over four times compared to nominal volume, thereby extending collection intervals. A 64-day field trial in New Delhi compared four solar compactors (0.013 m3) with four conventional bins (0.015 m3). Conventional bins required 80 collection trips at a cost of ₹5220.80, whereas solar compactors required only 16 trips costing ₹1044.16. This represents an 80% reduction in transport expenses and an average saving of ₹261.04 per bin per cycle. Projected over one year, a single solar compactor could save approximately ₹47,000 in collection costs, excluding labor and vehicle wear. Considering these savings, the system offers a potential payback period of less than eight years, which can be further reduced with bulk municipal deployment and indirect benefits such as lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Operational advantages included reduced waste spillage, odor suppression, and emission reductions of up to 70–80% due to the enclosed automated design. The results confirm that solar-powered compactors offer a robust, eco-friendly, and economically viable alternative for sustainable urban waste management.