Sustainable Waste Management Through Blockchain and Internet of Things Integration in Industrial Zones

Abstract

The problem of industrial waste is a leading cause of pollution globally, although the formal management of waste in industrial areas is still decentralized, untransparent, and unsustainable. The paper proposes the combination of Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) to establish an efficient, sustainable, and transparent system of governance of industrial waste. The research employs thematic analysis of expert interviews, pilot project evaluations, and real-world case data to identify overarching benefits of blockchain-IoT (BIoT) systems in six areas: traceability, real-time monitoring, compliance automation, cost reduction, stakeholder collaboration, and scalability. The outcomes indicate that traceability increased by 68%, regulatory non-conformities dropped by 47%, and logistic costs were minimized by 31%. Automated compliance checks can be performed using smart contracts on blockchain infrastructure, and IoT sensors can offer real-time visibility into the situation with hazardous waste. The integrated architecture demonstrates a good prospect of industrial decarbonization and the circular economy in spite of the scalability issues in the underdeveloped zones. In this paper, we present a modular BIoT framework that can inform policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders in the design and roll out future-ready waste management systems.