Authors: Tharani B, Jeevitha Mani S, Kayathri R D, Revathi Sangeetha R, Sri Ranjani Devi N
Abstract: The improper disposal of menstrual waste has become a major concern due to its impact on hygiene, public health, and environmental sustainability [1][3][4]. Conventional disposal methods such as open dumping, flushing, or mixing sanitary waste with regular garbage can lead to pollution, unpleasant odor, and difficulties in waste management [3][5]. To overcome these challenges, this work presents a compact and energy-efficient menstrual waste disposal system designed to provide safe, hygienic, and automated waste handling with minimal human intervention [7][8]. The proposed system is developed using an ESP32 microcontroller that controls the heating, cooling, and monitoring operations of the disposal unit. When menstrual waste is inserted into the chamber and the start button is pressed, a relay-controlled nichrome heating element generates sufficient thermal energy for effective incineration [1][7]. A DHT11 temperature sensor continuously monitors the chamber temperature and transfers the readings to the controller for safe operation. After completion of the burning process, a cooling fan is automatically activated for a predefined duration to reduce the internal temperature of the system. In addition, a 2×16 LCD module displays real-time temperature values and cooling fan status, improving system usability and monitoring capability. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system provides reliable operation, efficient waste disposal, and reduced direct human contact with sanitary waste [6][9]. The compact design and automated functionality make the system suitable for deployment in homes, schools, hostels, hospitals, and public sanitation facilities. By integrating automation, thermal processing, and smart monitoring features, the proposed system contributes toward environmentally responsible menstrual waste management and improved sanitation practices [2][5][10].
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20526664
