Unraveling the Environmental Impact of IoT — Blessing or Burden for Our Planet?”
“The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth.” — Marlee Matlin
The Internet of Things, or IoT, has become a revolutionary force in the age of rapid technological growth, influencing many parts of our daily life. This blog seeks to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of IoT for the environment. It will explore applications for environmental preservation, discuss issues like the production of e-waste, offer solutions for responsible disposal, and, in the end, describe how IoT can help create a more sustainable future.
I’d also like to talk about my most recent IoT project in this blog, which significantly reduces the quantity of e-waste generated and increases the affordability of the IoT system.
Positive impacts of IoT:
1) Residential and Industrial Energy Management:
Smart Internet of Things devices are now commonplace in many homes, and IoT sensors are used by businesses to monitor operations and reduce energy waste, which saves a significant amount of electricity.
As we scale this strategy, the influence of IoT on energy conservation becomes even more significant.
Imagine if all homes and businesses in an India-sized nation had Internet of Things (IoT)-driven energy management systems. The combined savings might be in the potentially mind-boggling range of megawatt-hours, which would ease the load on the energy grid and have a smaller environmental effect.
Real-World Illustration: Siemens’ Amberg, Germany Digitalization Hub
Siemens used Internet of Things (IoT) to revamp its Digitalization Hub in Amberg for energy management. A 15% decrease in total energy use was the outcome, demonstrating the real-world effects of IoT in industrial energy conservation.
2)Waste management:
Sensor Type: Smart Bins
Application: IoT-enabled smart trash cans are revolutionizing waste management. When these bins are full, collection services may be notified, which improves collection routes and cuts down on pointless visits.
Example: One well-known example is the Bigbelly Smart Waste & Recycling System, which has been implemented in many cities over the world to increase waste collection efficiency and foster a cleaner environment.
3)Precision Conservation in Wildlife Protection:
Sensor Type: GPS and Environmental Sensors
Application: To detect and safeguard endangered species, conservationists are using Internet of Things (IoT) devices that are outfitted with GPS and environmental sensors.
Example: GPS-enabled tags are used in sea turtle conservation to track the turtles’ movements and gather information on the surrounding conditions. To effectively safeguard these vulnerable species, researchers may use this information to identify important habitats, comprehend migration patterns, and put into practice focused conservation strategies.
4)IoT-enabled Smart Cities:
Sensor Type: Various (e.g., air quality sensors, traffic sensors, waste management sensors)
Application: To improve urban living while reducing their negative effects on the environment, smart cities incorporate a variety of IoT sensors. Authorities can put policies in place to lower emissions by using data from air quality sensors, which track pollution levels. By optimizing traffic flow, traffic sensors lower associated emissions and congestion. Fuel consumption is reduced by streamlining garbage collection routes with the help of smart waste management sensors.
Example: Smart city initiatives have been established in cities such as Barcelona and Singapore, demonstrating the potential of IoT in creating sustainable urban settings.
DRAWBACKS:
E-waste generation:
- The solid waste stream in the world with the fastest rate of growth is e-waste
Of the expected 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste created worldwide in 2019, only 17.4% were officially recorded as being collected and recycled.
Tackling E-Waste in IoT: A Simple Solution
An increasing worry with the rise in IoT devices is electronic waste. Hasty updates and replacements result in mountains of trashed technology, endangering the environment. Manufacturers must produce items that are recyclable and long-lasting to counter this. IoT-assisted smart bins can make recycling easier in the interim. However, adopting responsible disposal techniques by consumers is crucial. E-waste collection campaigns are essential, and they are supported by IoT logistics.
My Most Recent IoT-project:
Smart Home Monitoring System:
My approach to combating e-waste in smart homes is to integrate several sensors into a single, centralized system. This streamlines monitoring for metrics like temperature, humidity, gas leakage, and water levels and greatly lowers the need to purchase different IoT devices for each element, thus reducing the amount of e-waste generation. I’ve smoothly connected it to a mobile and web interface using Blynk libraries.
It’s so exciting that I was able to complete this artistic project for less than 3,000 rupees. In contrast, purchasing many devices for every parameter may easily cost more than 3,000 rupees. This indicates that the previous approach is not only extremely costly but also highly cumbersome.
Additionally, your house becomes a watchful guardian by sending customized email notifications about water overflows or possible gas leaks, thanks to IFTTT connection.
Pictures:
Conclusion:
“Harmony in Innovation: Navigating IoT for a Sustainable Tomorrow”
Balancing IoT’s pros and cons is the key. With responsible practices in waste management and sustainable design, we shape a future where IoT enhances convenience and coexists harmoniously with our planet.
What is your view on this Topic? Share your views below :) !!
