Inspiration
Urban waste is usually treated as a problem to hide and remove, rather than as a resource to understand and use. At the same time, cities face increasing energy demands and sustainability challenges.
Our inspiration came from observing that organic waste is biologically active: it produces heat, gases and chemical changes every day. Yet, this energy is completely wasted. By combining biology, sensors and digital infrastructure, we realised it could be transformed into a local, data-driven energy source, integrated directly into the urban environment.
What it does
This project transforms urban organic waste into useful energy insights through an intelligent, sensor-based infrastructure.
The system monitors the anaerobic decomposition happening inside dumpsters by measuring indirect biological indicators such as: Temperature (microbial activity and heat release) Humidity (optimal conditions for decomposition) Gas emissions (VOC variations linked to fermentation) Quantity of organic matter (mass and volume)
Using these biological signals, the system estimates the energy potential of the waste in real time, including: Biogas production potential Recoverable thermal energy
This enables cities to treat waste not just as refuse, but as a decentralised renewable energy resource, guided by data and biology.
How we built it
We designed a modular smart dumpster system composed of three main layers: Top Module: contains gas and VOC sensors, communication hardware, and a solar film to provide auxiliary power. Internal Module: An airtight, anti-corrosive lining that allows anaerobic digestion to occur safely and efficiently. Base Module: Houses load cells for mass measurement and ultrasonic sensors to estimate volume.
The sensor layer continuously collects physical data related to the decomposition. These measurements are then translated into energy estimates using biologically informed models, based on: Energy ≈ Mass × Energy Potential × Efficiency
This approach avoids direct energy measurement and instead relies on the natural biological signals of decomposition.
Challenges we ran into
Estimating energy indirectly Since energy cannot be measured directly inside a dumpster, we had to rely on physical and biological proxies and ensure they were meaningful. Sensor reliability in harsh environments High humidity, corrosive gases and temperature variation require careful sensor selection and system design. Balancing realism and feasibility Designing a system that is scientifically sound while remaining realistic for urban deployment and scaling.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Creating a concept that integrates biology, engineering and digital systems in a realistic urban context; Designing a low-cost, modular and scalable solution; Framing waste as an active biological process, not passive garbage; Proposing a preventive and predictive energy infrastructure.
What we learned
Organic waste is far more energetically and biologically valuable than it is usually perceived to be; Indirect biological measurements can provide powerful insights when combined with smart data interpretation; Sustainable urban solutions are strongest when they connect natural processes with digital intelligence.
What's next for S.MA.R.T. (Sustainable Methane Analysis and Recovery Tech)
Next steps include: Building a functional sensor prototype; Calibrating sensor data against known organic decomposition patterns and gas activity; Validating energy estimation models using experimental and controlled data; Using collected sensor data and predictive models to support smart-city planning and waste management decision-making.
Our long-term vision is to help cities evolve from waste management to waste-powered intelligence.
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