Design and Construction of an Automatic Waste Sorting Machine

Abstract

Sorting waste is an important first step in recycling. This project focuses on designing and building an automatic sorting machine that separates metal and non-metal objects with manual help. The system consists of a conveyor belt to move objects, an infrared sensor to detect general objects, and an inductive sensor to identify metallic objects. All components are controlled by an Arduino UNO microcontroller, which processes sensor signals and activates a servo motor to sort objects into designated bins. The total time taken to sort a single item is approximately 4 seconds (1s detection + 2s actuation + 1s counting). After successful fabrication and testing, the machine met the design goals. The device offers a practical, low-cost solution for small-scale recycling facilities, educational purposes, and local waste management system.