Waste management solution
As urban populations grow and sustainability standards tighten, waste management systems must evolve to be more efficient, scalable, and data-driven. Traditional methods — based on fixed collection schedules and manual checks —often result in overflows, resource waste, and high operational costs. ThingsBoard IoT Platform effectively addresses these challenges, offering powerful tools for real-time monitoring, automation, and optimization of waste operations.
ThingsBoard IoT platform transforms waste collection logistics for cities, campuses, and enterprises by enabling real-time monitoring through sensor-equipped bins. As these sensors transmit live data on fill levels, battery status, and connectivity, ThingsBoard processes the telemetry instantly, allowing operators to reduce unnecessary pickups, lower emissions, and respond proactively to service needs. With its flexible device integration, rule-based automation, and customizable dashboards, ThingsBoard empowers waste management teams to deploy quickly, scale easily, and make smarter decisions based on actionable insights.
Supporting industry-standard protocols like MQTT, CoAP, and HTTP, ThingsBoard enables seamless sensor connectivity at scale. Its Rule Engine allows for complex event processing and alarming, while multi-tenant architecture supports parallel use by multiple stakeholders — from city departments to private contractors. Combined with powerful analytics and visualization tools, ThingsBoard delivers a complete, future-ready solution for intelligent waste management.
Solution structure of waste management
The ThingsBoard-powered waste management solution begins at the edge — where IoT sensors installed in bins monitor fill levels and battery status in real time. These devices send telemetry data to ThingsBoard using supported protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, or HTTP. Thanks to ThingsBoard gateway and built-in integration capabilities, even legacy systems and non-IP sensors can be seamlessly connected.
Once the data reaches the platform, it is processed and stored in a time-series database. Rule Engine chains trigger alarms based on predefined conditions such as low battery or bins nearing capacity. Finally, this structured information is presented on interactive dashboards, allowing operators to make timely decisions and optimize collection routes. All of this can be managed in a multi-tenant environment, enabling smart city operators, private contractors, and utility providers to co-manage waste operations securely.
Waste management dashboard structure
The dashboard structure in the ThingsBoard waste management solution is modular and intuitive, combining high-level overviews with detailed sensor-level insights. It includes map-based bin tracking, alarm configuration panels, device management interfaces, and historical analytics — ensuring full operational visibility and control from a single interface.
Applications of waste management solution
This solution, built on ThingsBoard IoT platform, is highly adaptable and can meet the operational needs of multiple industries—offering real-time monitoring, flexible device integration, smart alarming, and powerful analytics. Here are five key sectors where it delivers value:
Municipal services
Enables city authorities to optimize waste collection routes and respond faster to bin overflow alarms using ThingsBoard’s real-time telemetry, automated rules, and geospatial dashboards.
University and corporate campuses
Promotes sustainability goals with smart bin tracking, usage analytics, and seamless deployment across distributed locations, all from a centralized dashboard.
Event venues and stadiums
Handles fluctuating waste loads during events with scalable sensor connectivity and predictive analytics, ensuring clean environments and resource efficiency.
Industrial facilities
Ensures safe and compliant handling of waste in manufacturing zones through detailed sensor insights, custom alarms, and support for legacy device integration.
Transportation hubs (airports, ports, stations)
Maintains hygiene and safety in high-traffic zones by enabling dynamic monitoring and maintenance scheduling via ThingsBoard’s event-driven automation.
Municipal services
Enables city authorities to optimize waste collection routes and respond faster to bin overflow alarms using ThingsBoard’s real-time telemetry, automated rules, and geospatial dashboards.
Industrial facilities
Ensures safe and compliant handling of waste in manufacturing zones through detailed sensor insights, custom alarms, and support for legacy device integration.
University and corporate campuses
Promotes sustainability goals with smart bin tracking, usage analytics, and seamless deployment across distributed locations, all from a centralized dashboard.
Transportation hubs (airports, ports, stations)
Maintains hygiene and safety in high-traffic zones by enabling dynamic monitoring and maintenance scheduling via ThingsBoard’s event-driven automation.
Event venues and stadiums
Handles fluctuating waste loads during events with scalable sensor connectivity and predictive analytics, ensuring clean environments and resource efficiency.
Summary of waste management
ThingsBoard’s waste management solution addresses a critical urban and industrial challenge with precision, scalability, and real-time intelligence. From seamless sensor integration to customizable dashboards and proactive alarming, it empowers stakeholders to manage waste efficiently and sustainably. With IoT at its core, this solution lays the foundation for smarter, cleaner cities and optimized resource management.
ThingsBoard advantages
Security
ThingsBoard protects your data with industry-standard encryption algorithms like RSA and ECDSA. Secure communication is ensured via TLS (TCP) and DTLS (UDP). Role-based access control and audit logs further enhance platform security.
Data visualization
Visualize data with interactive, multi-state dashboards—no coding needed. Use built-in charts, gauges, maps, tables, and control widgets. Customize every detail via advanced settings or custom widget bundles. Real-time, low-latency updates supported via embedded web-sockets.
Connectivity
Connect devices directly to the platform via the following built-in protocols: HTTP, CoAP, MQTT, LwM2M, and SNMP. Connect devices in your local network to the cloud using ThingsBoard Gateway via Modbus, BLE, BACnet, OPC-UA, and other protocols.
Data processing
ThingsBoard allows you to define app logic using a drag-and-drop rule chain designer. Its scalable Rule Engine uses message queues like Kafka or AWS SQS for durable, reliable data processing. You can handle data within the engine or forward it to external systems.
Scalability and high availability
ThingsBoard supports high-availability cloud and on-prem deployments via Kubernetes or bare-metal. Its components scale horizontally and handle 18K+ vehicles and 5K+ devices in prod.
Multi-tenancy
ThingsBoard provides UI and API to manage tenants, customers, users, devices, and assets. Single tenant may have multiple tenant administrators and millions of devices and customers. It also offers out-of-the-box support of OTA updates for your smart meters.
