ABSTRACT
Recent developments in Internet of Things (IoT) have significantly changed modern lifestyles through linkages of smart objects and smart applications that can be controlled anytime anywhere in the world. It is expected that as of 2021, more than 35 billion devices are connected with each other under the broad IoT umbrella. The autonomous nature of IoT brings an opportunity for virtual representation and unique identification of devices, applications, and services. Lower costs, lower levels of energy consumption, higher levels of outputs, smart and user-friendly precincts, and others are some factors behind rising popularity of IoT, which is also becoming more effective in providing higher levels of security and reducing errors and abuses. In this paper, we describe a model of smart dustbin designed and configured by the authors, and explain how the smart dustbin model can be applied efficiently to achieve smart environmental goals. This example of smart dustbin application can be adopted by cities and communities to maximize public health and hygiene objectives in smarter ways, and to curb negative impacts of public health crises situations such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases that may bring any type of pandemic in the future. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.