Abstract: In recent times, the world has been experiencing an increase in medical cases due to the inappropriate disposal of hospital waste. Hazardous wastes in medical facilities are not properly managed, leading to the spread of various viruses. Medical waste, generated in healthcare centers such as hospitals, clinics, and laboratories, can contain chemicals like mercury and lead that leach into the soil and water, causing environmental pollution. This pollution poses health problems for people living in surrounding areas. Medical waste may also contain infectious or hazardous materials that risk human health and environmental safety. Hazardous waste in hospitals includes: Chemical Waste: Expired or unused chemicals, such as laboratory reagents and solvents, pose risks to human health and the environment if not properly managed. Pharmaceutical Waste: Expired, unused, or contaminated medications, including chemotherapy drugs, are toxic and harmful if not properly disposed of. Radioactive Waste: Materials containing radioactive isotopes, such as medical equipment used in radiation therapy or nuclear medicine, require careful handling. Infectious Waste: Waste contaminated with infectious agents, such as blood-soaked bandages, used needles, and cultures from laboratory experiments, must be carefully managed. Sharps Waste: Used needles, syringes, and other sharp objects can cause injury or transmit infection if not properly disposed of. Proper management and disposal of hazardous waste in hospitals are critical to protect the health and safety of patients, healthcare workers, and the environment. This involves segregating hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste, using designated containers, appropriately labeling containers, and ensuring safe storage and transportation to prevent contamination. Specialized treatment methods, such as incineration or autoclaving, may be used by hospitals to treat hazardous waste before disposal. To address these challenges, a modified method for sorting medical waste in dustbins has been proposed. Smart hospital waste management dustbins have been designed using various sensors for different purposes. The bins are color-coded (Red, Blue, Yellow, and Black) to indicate different types of waste. Key components include: Ultrasonic Sensors: Measure the distance of waste within the bin, working with a servo motor to control the lid's opening and closing. Camera Module: Attached to an Arduino UNO for waste image recognition and classification according to the bin color. Gas Sensor: Monitors gas levels within the bin, triggering an alert via a buzzer if the gas exceeds a predefined threshold, indicating the presence of hazardous fumes. Buzzer: Alerts when the bin is filled to capacity.GSM Module: Sends SMS alerts to frontline workers when bins are full or emitting foul odors, prompting immediate action.This IoT-enabled system ensures proper waste segregation, treatment, and disposal, enhancing safety for healthcare employees, patients, and the environment. Proper waste management mitigates health risks and environmental damage, underscoring the importance of adopting advanced technologies in hospital waste management.

Index Terms: Arduino UNO, Ultrasonic Sensor, GSM Module, Image Recognition, Smart Waste Management, Medical Waste Disposal,IoT-Based Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Segregation, Environmental Safety, HealthCare Waste Management

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2024.11707