DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

2. APPLICANT:
NEPRA ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED, an Indian Company of the address 207, Kalasagar Shopping Hub, opp. Saibaba temple sattadhar cross roads, Ghatlodiya Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380061, India

3. The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a waste management system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technology driven and integrated system for waste management.
BACKGROUND
[002] Waste management is associated with major challenges relating to inadequate waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal. Current systems cannot cope with the volumes of waste generated by an increasing population which in turn damages the environment and impacts public health.
[003] The pressure to reduce the negative environmental impact of solid waste has made the regulatory bodies to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR). EPR refers to the commitment for management of the disposal of products in the form of solid waste by producers once those products are no longer useful for the consumers.
[004] Though EPR is a promising initiative, however, the processes of waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal are often scattered and unregulated which in turn pose various challenges and significantly reduce the effectiveness of EPR. Mostly, the processes of waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal are individual managed by respective entities (stakeholders) without any synchronization. Further, due to the lack of any common platform, there is exploitation and non-compliances of rules by stakeholders which are laid down by governing authorities involved in waste management. Further, due to significant dependence on human intervention at all steps, the chances of errors and/or lapses increase as well as inefficiency. Further, these irregularities in turn cause delay in disposal of waste thereby, increasing environmental hazards.
[005] Though there are few software solutions available for waste management, however, in traditional approaches, every stakeholder, including brands, auditors, urban local bodies (ULBs), producer responsibility organizations (PROs) and material recovery facilities (MRFs) etc. have to maintain their own databases, build their own computing infrastructure to manage and operate on the large amount of data. Such a setup not only causes friction in collaborating with each other, but also in implementation of high-end computing techniques and capabilities at multiple locations. This is a highly inefficient use of resources including computing infrastructure, data storages, etc.
[006] Therefore, there arises a requirement of a technology driven waste management system which brings all the stakeholders on a common platform and streamlines the process of waste management.
SUMMARY
[007] The present invention relates to a waste management system which provides a common platform that connects a plurality of parties for allowing a streamlined and regulated method of waste management. The plurality of parties in the present invention correspond to stakeholders such as producers, importers, product owners, transporters, third party vendors, urban local bodies, pollution control boards, waste management companies, end disposal companies, cement Industries, auditors, etc.
[008] The present invention helps in creating an efficient, transparent and more reportable ecosystem for waste management under extended producer responsibility (EPR).
[009] The foregoing features and other features as well as the advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[010] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the apportioned drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale.
[011] Fig. 1 depicts a client-server architecture of the waste management system 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[012] Fig. 2 depicts a plurality of modules of the waste management system 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[013] Fig. 3 depicts a flowchart of the working of the waste management system 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[014] Fig. 4 depicts an alternate embodiment of Fig. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[015] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
[016] The embodiments are described below with reference to block diagrams and/or data flow illustrations of methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products. It should be understood that each block of the block diagrams and/or data flow illustrations, respectively, may be implemented in part by computer program instructions, e.g., as logical steps or operations executing on a processor in a computing system. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, such as a special purpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a specifically-configured machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus implement the functions specified in the data flow illustrations or blocks.
[017] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the functionality specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the data flow illustrations or blocks.
[018] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and data flow illustrations support various combinations for performing the specified functions, combinations of operations for performing the specified functions and program instructions for performing the specified functions. It should also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or operations, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[019] Further, applications, software programs or computer readable instructions may be referred to as components or modules. Applications may be hardwired or hardcoded in hardware or take the form of software executing on a general-purpose computer such that when the software is loaded into and/or executed by the computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention, or they are available via a web service. Applications may also be downloaded in whole or in part through the use of a software development kit or a toolkit that enables the creation and implementation of the present invention. In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as techniques. In general, the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention.
[020] In accordance with the present disclosure, a waste management system (or WMS) is disclosed. It should be noted that the scope of waste management in the present invention is inclusive of, without limitation, collection, processing, sustainable disposal, documentation and reporting of waste, auditing of documents relating to stakeholders involved in waste management and transaction (sale/purchase) of EPR credits. It should be noted that EPR credits throughout the following description correspond to one or more incentives received by a pre-defined party post disposal of waste.
[021] The WMS of the present invention provides a common integrated platform which connects with multiple categories of stakeholders for facilitating waste disposal efficiently in a streamlined and regulated method .
[022] The WMS of the present invention enables the plurality of stakeholders to interact with each other via the common platform and in a defined sequence. Due to this, high transparency is maintained amongst all stakeholders as all the stakeholders are armed with common information/data and any costs associated with out of turn action are eliminated. The stakeholders may include producers, importers, product owners, transporters, third party vendors, urban local bodies, pollution control boards, waste management companies, end disposal companies, cement Industries, auditors, buyers/sellers of EPR credits, etc.
[023] The WMS of the present invention offers a centralized computing system which is hardware efficient as it completely eliminates the requirement of individual systems to be deployed at the end of each stakeholder associated with the WMS. Hence, the WMS of the present invention eliminates the need for stakeholders to work on development of their individual platforms for their own sets of needs related to document, report and audit management as the present invention combines all functions associated with waste management in a single platform. Further, such a common platform as provided by the WMS of the present invention reduces/eliminates the requirement of individual storage of data by each stakeholder and also reduces unnecessary exchanges of mail communications for example, sharing or reconciliation of data, which often leads to confusion and introduces delays in the process affecting the environment adversely.
[024] Given the WMS is an integrated platform with all the details of waste management readily available, any regulatory authority can easily access the WMS in real-time without reliance on any individual party.
[025] Further, given the technically enabled WMS of the present invention maintains all records of the waste management, the scope of duplicity is eliminated as a same activity cannot be performed by two different obligators/stakeholders, thereby saving huge costs due to duplicate actions.
[026] The technology-based solution in the form of WMS of the present invention significantly reduces physical involvement and human intervention thereby allowing smooth and accurate operations.
[027] The stakeholders associated with waste management may be classified into a plurality of parties that include without limitation, a first party, a second party, a third party and a fourth party. It should be noted that though the present invention is explained with the help of four types of parties, the number of types of parties may be increased or decreased depending upon the application for which the WMS of the present invention is employed. For example, for external auditing application, a fifth party may be added which is responsible for auditing/verification of one or more documents related to waste management as provided in the WMS of the present invention. Likewise, for purchase of EPR credits, a sixth party may be added that may be a buyer of the EPR credits. The EPR credits may be sold by at least one of the first party, the third party or the fourth party. It should be noted that the type of parties in the present invention corresponds to different categories of multiple stakeholders that are associated with waste management including without limitation collection centres, transporters, end disposal centers and product owners.
[028] The first party may correspond to the different categories of collection centres such as material recovery facility (MRF), urban local bodies, etc. In an embodiment, the first party is an MRF where non-compostable solid waste can be temporarily stored to facilitate segregation, sorting and recovery of recyclables from various components of waste. Alternately, the first party may be an aggregator for collection centres. The second party may correspond to one or more transport service providers which provide transportation services for movement of waste from one location to another. The third party may correspond to the end disposal centres where solid/segregated waste is disposed. The fourth party may correspond to one or more product owners that manufacture consumable goods. The fifth party may correspond to one or more auditors of at least one of first/second/third/fourth parties. The sixth party may correspond to a buyer of EPR credits and may be a producer, an importer and/or a brand – owner.
[029] In an embodiment, the said parties communicate with the WMS of the present invention in a client-server relationship via respective electronic devices over a network as explained under in detail. For example, the first party communicates with the WMS via an electronic device A, the second party communicates with the WMS via an electronic device B, the third party communicates with the WMS via an electronic device C, the fourth party communicates with the WMS via an electronic device D, the fifth party communicates with the WMS via an electronic device E while the sixth party communicates with the WMS via an electronic device F.
[030] The WMS of the present invention is configured to collect one or more inputs from at least one of the electronic devices A, B, C, D, E, F for conducting one or more of, for example, collection, processing, sustainable disposal, documentation and reporting of waste, auditing and buying/selling EPR credits. The WMS of the present invention is a centralized system which mediates and supervises the activities performed at different stages of waste management by the above disclosed parties to ensure compliance of all the activities relating to waste management as per the waste management rules laid out by a governing authority. For this, the waste management rules are pre-fed in the WMS and the WMS then maps activities of the different parties at each and every step of the waste management process with the pre-fed rules to ensure compliance of all the activities. Hence, the WMS helps for example, to identify a party accountable, if and when the said rules are abused, bypassed, etc.
[031] The technology driven WMS of the present invention helps to ensure that waste is being managed properly and helps to improve the environmental burden related to improper waste disposal and enhanced material recycling thereby, preserving the threatened ecosystem.
[032] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a system 100 configured as a client/server architecture used in an embodiment of the present invention. A “client” is a member of a class or group that uses the services of another class or group to which it is not related. In the context of a computer network, such as the Internet, a client is a process (i.e. roughly a program or task) that requests a service which is provided by another process, known as a server program. The client process uses the requested service without having to know any working details about the server program or the server itself. In networked systems, a client process usually runs on a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer running a corresponding server process.
[033] A “server” is typically a remote computer system that is accessible over a communication medium such as the Internet. The client process may be active on a second computer system, and communicate with the server process over a communication medium that allows multiple clients to take advantage of the information-gathering capabilities of the server. Thus, the server essentially acts as an information provider for a computer network.
[034] In FIG. 1, the system 100 for practicing the teachings of the present disclosure, as per an embodiment, includes a server 10, a device A 20, a device B 30, a device C 40, a device D 50, a device E 60 and a device F 70 (or electronic devices A 20, B 30, C 40, D 50, E 60 and F 70) which communicate with the server 10 through a network 10’.
[035] The server 10 includes a WMS 200 which is a centralized system that obtains inputs from at least one of the device A 20, the device B 30, the device C 40, the device D 50, the device E 60 and/or the device F 70 via a client WMS and further processes the obtained inputs for enabling waste management activities in compliance with the waste management rules as laid down by a local government body. Enabling waste management activities include without limitation, mediating collection of waste, transportation of waste, sustainable disposal of waste, documentation and reporting of waste, auditing and transaction of EPR credits by processing inputs received from the connected devices, providing instructions/data to any of the connected devices, maintaining updated data that is accessible in real-time, etc. In an embodiment, the server 10 may be a cloud-based server. The server 10 may be a remote computer system having processing capability engaged by the WMS 200.
[036] In an embodiment, the WMS 200 is a SAAS based platform. The SAAS may be hosted on an application server either locally or on the cloud at various infrastructure-as-a-service (or IAAS) platforms.
[037] The client WMS includes a software application, a web portal or any other means of accessing WMS 200 using a device. For example, a software application corresponding to the WMS 200 may be installed on either or all the devices A 20/ B 30/ C 40/ D 50/ E 60/ F70. The software application/web portal may be used for accessing or using various features of the WMS 200, without limitation, monitoring, tracing, audit, compliance, management, rewards, incentives, transactions, accounting, reporting, pricing, analysis, etc. in relation to waste management.
[038] The parties and associated devices may be registered with the WMS 200. In case, any new party or a new device of a registered party is required to added, then the same can be easily done using a pre-defined registration protocol.
[039] Each of the aforesaid devices is in the form of a client computer which may include a laptop, a handheld device such as a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, etc., a wearable device like a smart watch, etc. The software application installed on each of the aforesaid devices may be accessed via a same or a different user interface.
[040] The devices A 20, B 30, C 40, D 50, E 60, F 70 may include one or more processors, memories, input/output devices, and a network interface, such as a conventional modem. The devices A 20, B 30, C 40, D 50, E 60, F 70 may include location detection capability for example, a GPS receiver, assisted GPS, WiFi networks. The GPS receiver may be coupled to a GPS antenna, which receives GPS data from one or more GPS satellites. The GPS data as received may be processed by the GPS receiver to produce the location co-ordinates which may be transmitted to the application server 10 via network 10’.
[041] The devices A 20, B 30, C 40, D 50, E 60, F 70 may communicate with the server 10 via network 10’ bi-directionally.
[042] The device A 20, the device B 30, the device C 40, the device D 50, the device E 60 and/or the device F 70 may communicate with the server 10 to transmit or receive details such as one or more inputs to/from the server 10 via their respective user interfaces of the client WMS. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the parties interact with the WMS 200 hosted on the server 10 via a common user interface presented on their respective device. Alternately, each of the parties interact with the WMS 200 hosted on the server 10 via a different user interface presented on their respective device via the client WMS. The WMS 200 may be configured to present the common or different user interface on the client WMS to a device of a party.
[043] Further, the client WMS may provide an option to a user of the device A 20 / device B 30 / device C 40 / device D 50 / device E 60 / device F 70 to select one or more parties from amongst the registered parties with the WMS 200 for performing a pre-defined activity. For instance, the user of device A 20 can select one or more second parties out of the existing second parties (or second parties registered with the WMS) for transporting waste. Likewise, the first/second/third/fourth parties via client WMS installed on respective devices, can select respective fifth party (ies) for auditing. The client WMS may be presented with availability of the one or more parties along with other details to enable a party to select other party that meets their requirement. Alternately, the WMS 200 may present only a selected party to the client WMS of a party during their initial configuration with the WMS 200. In yet another embodiment, the WMS 200 may select the said parties on its own on the basis of a pre-defined criteria.
[044] In addition to the above, a client WMS of a device may be configured to provide details of an activity to be undertaken by the said or selected party. For example, the client WMS of the device A 20 is configured to provide to the WMS details of a dispatch to be transferred from the first party to the third party. The term ‘dispatch’ in the present invention corresponds to a pre-defined quantity of waste that is booked for transportation for waste disposal.
[045] As per another example, the client WMS of the first/second/third/fourth/sixth party may request a specific fifth party to conduct an audit basis the data/information about the first/second/third/fourth/sixth party available with the WMS 200. The WMS 200 may first confirm if the fifth party included in the request is registered with the WMS 200. If not, the WMS 200 may first register the said fifth party and then allow the fifth party to access data/information required for auditing.
[046] In addition to the above, a client WMS of a device may be configured to make a request for initiation of a pre-defined activity on the WMS 200. For example, the fourth party may make a request for waste disposal via the client WMS installed on the device D 50. Or, the first party may make a proposal for dispatch creation via the client WMS installed on device A 20. Or the fifth party may make an access request via the client WMS installed on device E 60 for accessing various documents required for examining and verifying financial records of, at least one of, the first party, second party, third party or fourth party at the time of auditing. The documents may include, without limitation, income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, etc. In such a case, the WMS 200 may store prior approvals (if any) given by the first party, second party, third party or fourth party in relation to partial or complete access of data/information to the fifth party for auditing. The WMS 200 may accordingly process the request and allow auditing. The fifth party may also upload documents such as reports post auditing with opinions of the fifth party on the WMS 200 via the client WMS installed on the device E 60. Such reports may be saved on the server 10 for instant or future use.
[047] Likewise, the sixth party may make a transaction request for purchasing EPR credits on the WMS 200 via the client WMS installed on the device F 70. The transaction request may correspond to the purchase of EPR credits from a seller i.e. the first party, the third party and/or the fourth party. The request may include, without limitation, name, address, etc. of the buyer. Such a request may be saved on the server 10 for instant or future use.
[048] Network 10’ includes without limitation the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network 10’ may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
[049] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of modules of the WMS 200 of the server 10. In an embodiment of the present invention, the server 10 performs various functions for waste management. Each module may include a predefined set of instructions in communication with either static or dynamic data. During the course of operation of the WMS 200, the modules may be added or removed as desired by an end-user.
[050] As an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes the following modules: a database 201, a prompt module 203, a dispatch module 205, a tracking module 207, a verification module 209, an allocation module 211, an audit module 213 and a transaction module 215.
[051] The database 201 may store the details of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth parties as registered on the WMS 200. The details of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth parties may include, without limitation, name, address, etc. of the parties. Such details may be easily accessed for instant or future use. Further, the database 201 may store one or more inputs as received from at least one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth parties via respective client WMS installed on device A 20/ device B 30/ device C 40, device D 50, device E 60 and/or device F 70. The one or more inputs may include the name, address, contact details and other details like consent, agreement, permission associated with the different types of stakeholders i.e. the first party, the second party, the third party, the fourth party, the fifth party or the sixth party. The inputs may also include financial records of the stakeholders, reports prepared by fifth party and record of EPR credits, transaction requests made by the sixth party. Further, any contract/agreement between the parties may also be saved in the database 201. In addition, the database 201 may store a list of preferred parties selected by a party for performing its activities.
[052] It is important to note that the database 201 may be a dynamic database; i.e., new inputs added by any of devices A 20, B 30, C 40, D 50, E 60 and/or F 70 may be updated and saved in the database 201 in real-time.
[053] The database 201 may also store waste management rules as laid down by a local government authority, basis which the WMS 200 performs waste management activities. Such waste management rules may be pre-fed by a user. In case of any change in the saved waste management rules, the database 201 can be dynamically updated.
[054] The prompt module 203 is responsible for receiving the one or more inputs from at least one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth/sixth parties via the client WMS installed on respective devices A 20, B 30, C 40, D 50, E 60/F 70 (at least one stakeholder from amongst multiple categories of stakeholders). The one or more inputs may include one of, a request for waste disposal, one or more proposals for dispatch creation, one or more access requests, etc. The prompt module 203 generates one or more prompts on the basis of the same. The prompts generated by the prompt module 203 act as a trigger for the WMS 200 to initiate at least one waste management activity. The at least one waste management activity may include waste disposal, auditing, transaction of EPR credits, etc.
[055] For example, the request received from the fourth party may include a request for waste disposal having details of the quantity of waste to be disposed by the fourth party as EPR and hence, the prompt module 203 prompts the WMS 200 to initiate waste disposal process for the fourth party in relation to the quantity of waste specified in the request.
[056] Likewise, the request received from the first party may include an intimation of the amount of waste accumulated for disposal at the collection center(s) and hence, the prompt module 203 prompts the WMS 200 to initiate collection/disposal process of waste. In yet another example, the request received from the client WMS of any or each of the device A 20, device C 40, device D 50, or device F 70 may include a transaction request for selling EPR credits and hence, the prompt module 203 prompts the WMS 200 to initiate transaction process of the EPR credits. In an exemplary embodiment, the transaction process may include raising a transaction request relating to the value of EPR credits to be sold/bought, details of the first/third/fourth/sixth party, etc. In a further example of a request, the request received from the sixth party may include an access request for accessing documents for auditing and hence, the prompt module 203 prompts the WMS 200 to initiate auditing process of documents of one or more parties. The access requests may include details such as name, address of the auditor, stakeholder in relation to whom the audit request has been made, etc.
[057] The prompt module 203 is further configured to generate a prompt in a pre-defined sequence to each of the parties or stakeholders. For example, the prompt module 203 may generate and send a prompt to the client WMS of the first party to prepare for dispatch only once the WMS 200 receives a prompt (request) from the fourth party that the waste is required to be disposed. Likewise, the prompt module 203 may generate and send a prompt to the client WMS of the second party to prepare for transport waste from the first party to the third party only once the WMS 200 receives a prompt from the first party that the waste has been prepared for dispatch. The prompt module 203 may generate and send a prompt to the client WMS of the third party to dispose the waste only once the WMS 200 receives a prompt from the second party that the waste is delivered to the third party.
[058] It should be noted that the above stated instances are only exemplary in nature. The prompt module 203 may function to generate other prompts and accordingly trigger the WMS 200 to initiate different activities on the WMS 200 depending upon the application for which the WMS 200 is being employed. Also, the pre-defined sequence in which the prompts are generated may also be altered for increasing the efficiency of the WMS 200.
[059] The dispatch module 205 is configured to receive one or more details of the dispatch from the client WMS of the first party relating to disposal of waste to the third party. The first party through the client WMS of the device A 20 may input all the details associated with the dispatch. The details of the dispatch may include, without limitation, details of the first party, details of the second party, data from weighment slip and other documents, freight bill, bill of supply, bill-T, E-way bill, etc.
[060] The tracking module 207 is configured to receive location co-ordinates from the client WMS of at least one of, device A 20, device B 30, device C 40, device D 50, device E 60, device F 70 or any other device configured with the WMS 200 by any of the stakeholder. The tracking module 207 helps to allow tracking of the current status of the dispatch. On receiving a request for determining the status of the dispatch by the at least one of the devices A 20, B 30, C 40 and/or D 50, the tracking module 207 displays the status of the dispatch on the respective client WMS. Alternately, the tracking module 207 may share the status of the dispatch via a text. In an embodiment, the permission to request the status of the dispatch may be provided to restricted parties, for example, only to device A 20 and/or device D 50.
[061] The verification module 209 works in communication with the prompt module 203. In an embodiment, the prompt module 203 extracts details associated with the proposal for dispatch creation (such as name and address of the first party/second party, quantity of accumulated waste available for disposal, agreement between the first and the second parties (if any), etc.) and shares the same with the verification module 209. The verification module 209 helps to verify the one or more details associated with the proposal for dispatch creation by mapping the said details with the corresponding details saved on the database 201 so that the request can be processed further to accordingly allow selection of one or more first parties. The verification module 209 may refer look-up tables for conducting one-to-one mapping between the received details and the saved details to identify if all details are in accordance with the prescribed waste management rules. The verification module 209 may accordingly either accept or reject the proposal for dispatch creation.
[062] For example, the verification module 209 maps the name of the first party as shared by the prompt module 203 with a look-up table of authorized first parties as saved in the database 201 to determine if the first party is eligible to make such request. In case, the name of the first party is included in the said look-up table, then the verification module 209 accepts such request. Otherwise, the request is rejected.
[063] Further, the verification module 209 may map the quantity of accumulated waste available for disposal as specified in the proposal for dispatch creation with the quantity of waste required to be disposed and accordingly influence the selection of one or more first parties.
[064] Also, once the waste is successfully dispatched and received by the third party (delivered for waste disposal), the verification module 209 helps to verify the dispatch as received by the third party. The verification of the dispatch may be manually performed or may be performed by an artificial intelligence-based system. In case of an artificial intelligence-based system, an optical character recognition system or the like may be used for verification of the dispatch. Once a vehicle carrying the waste (dispatch) reaches the third party, the artificial intelligence-based system may read the information on one or more hard copies associated with the dispatch (such a loading/unloading slip, bills, etc.). The information may then be mapped by the verification module 209 to determine whether the information uploaded by the first party at the time of dispatch creation is same as the information provided in the one or more hard copies. Hence, the verification module 209 may in turn help to remove any error or fraud associated with dispatch of waste.
[065] Further, the verification of the information by the verification module 209 is conducted in compliance with the specified waste management rule of the governing authority. For example, as per the waste management rules, the unloading slip should include a stamp and signature of the associated party. The verification module 209 may check for the presence of the stamp and the signature in the unloading slip and accordingly verify the same.
[066] In another case, the verification module 209 may check if the dispatch received by the third party matches with the quantity of waste that was required to be disposed and may accordingly help to identify fraudulent activities.
[067] It should be noted that the above stated instances of verification are only exemplary in nature. The verification module 209 may intervene at various other stages of waste management in order to enhance the robustness of the WMS 200 and render it more efficient.
[068] The allocation module 211 helps to quantify the quantity of waste delivered to the third party by the first party via the second party to equivalent EPR credits. The quantification of the waste may be done in accordance to a pre-defined relationship as saved in the database 201. For example, 1 metric ton of waste disposed/recycled may correspond to 1 EPR credit. It should be noted that the aforesaid way of quantification of waste is only one of the ways to quantify waste. Other methods to quantify waste may also be used and are within the scope of the present invention.
[069] The allocation module 211 may subsequently allocate the EPR credits as determined to at least one of the associated parties on successful verification of the details of the dispatch by the verification module 209. In an embodiment, when the waste disposal is initiated by the fourth party, the allocation module 211 helps to allocate EPR credits to the fourth party depending upon the waste disposed. Likewise, when the waste disposal is initiated by the first party, the allocation module 211 helps to allocate EPR credits to the sixth party. The allocation module 211 may allocate EPR credits to first, fourth or other parties. as configured.
[070] The audit module 213 is configured to process the details included in one or more access requests made by the fifth party via the client WMS installed on device E 60 for auditing. The access requests may include details such as name, address of the auditor, party in relation to whom the audit request has been made, etc. The audit module 213 may have a list of approved auditors as added by devices A 20, B 30, C 40, D 50 via respective client WMS and hence, the audit module 213 may process the details of the access request made by device E 60 of the approved auditors only. In case, any access request is made by an un-approved auditor, then the request is denied.
[071] The audit module 213 is configured to extract details from the access request and map the same with the details of auditors as saved in the list of approved auditors in order to process the details of the request further.
[072] The transaction module 215 is utilized for enabling transaction of EPR credits between the stakeholders. The transaction module 215 is configured to process the details of the one or more transaction requests as received from device F 70. It should be noted that a transaction request may be made by the sixth party with an intention to purchase EPR credits. The transaction request may include the value of EPR credits, details of the fourth party/sixth party, etc.
[073] The transaction module 215 is configured to process the details of the one or more transaction requests received from device A 20/device C 40/device D 50 via respective client WMS. The transaction request may include the value of EPR credits to be sold, details of the first/third/fourth party, etc.
[074] The transaction module 215 may extract details from the transaction requests and such details are saved in the database 201 for instant or future use. In case, a sixth party makes a transaction request via device F 70 for buying EPR credits, the transaction module 215 maps the same with any prior transaction request made by the first party, the third party and/or the fourth party for sale of EPR credits so that EPR transaction can be successfully made. In case, there is no prior transaction request, then the transaction module 215 may notify potential stakeholders as added in the database 201 of the WMS system 200 so that a successful EPR transaction may be made.
[075] The above-described WMS 200 of the present invention may extend to various applications for waste management. As an exemplary embodiment, the method followed by the WMS 200 of the present invention when applied for EPR related waste disposal is discussed for providing an understanding of the invention below.
[076] The process may commence at step 301, when the WMS 200 receives a request for waste disposal. The fourth party via the client WMS installed on the device D 50 may first make the request for waste disposal as a part of EPR to the prompt module 203. The request for waste disposal may include the quantity of waste to be disposed, the details of the fourth party and other associated details. In an embodiment, the request for waste disposal may also include location co-ordinates of the fourth party. All such details of the prompt may be saved on the database 201. The prompt module 203 may generate a prompt for initiating waste disposal on the basis of the said request.
[077] At step 303, one or more first parties registered with the WMS 200 are notified about the request for waste disposal as made by the fourth party. In an embodiment, all first parties registered with the WMS 200 are notified about the request for waste disposal. In an alternate embodiment, one or more selected first parties are updated about the request for waste disposal. The first parties may be selected by the WMS 200 on the basis of a pre-defined criteria. Alternately, a list of one or more selected first parties may be provided by the fourth party along with the request for waste disposal.
[078] On receipt of the notification, the first parties via respective client WMS installed in the respective devices A 20 may make a proposal for dispatch creation. Such requests are received by the prompt module 203 and a prompt is generated at step 305. The proposal for dispatch creation may include the details of the first party, quantity of accumulated waste available for disposal, the details of the second party and agreement(contract) between the first and the second parties (if any), etc. In case of any contract between the first and the second party, the associated second party is automatically selected on selection of the said first party.
[079] In an alternate embodiment, the proposal for dispatch creation does not include the details of the second party. In such a case, the second party may be selected either by the WMS 200 or the fourth party. In an embodiment, the second party is selected by the WMS 200 based upon a pre-defined criteria say, the location of the second party. For example, the second party located within close proximity of the first party, is automatically selected and notified. The second party via the device B 30 may share its acceptance of selection based upon its availability.
[080] At step 307, the prompt module 203 shares the details of the proposal for dispatch creation with the verification module 209 which then verifies the details of the proposal for dispatch creation in accordance with the corresponding details saved on the database 201. In case, any of the details is unavailable in the database 201, then the request is rejected. In such a case, the unavailable details are requested from the first/second parties and saved in the database 201 and the first party via client WMS installed on the device A 20 may make a request again.
[081] At step 309, once details of the requests for dispatch creation as received from the first parties have been successfully verified, one or more first parties are selected. For example, the first party having available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed, is selected by the verification module 209 of the WMS 200 for dispatch creation at step 309. In case, there are a plurality of first parties having available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed, then the WMS 200 may select one of such first parties on the basis of a pre-defined criterion. The pre-defined criterion may include priority order to the notifications received from the first parties, type of waste (raw/segregated like multi-layered packaging, recyclable, flexible, rigid), etc. Alternately, instead of selecting a first party out of the plurality of first parties having available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed, the WMS 200 may send a list of such plurality of first parties to the fourth party. The fourth party may then select a first party based upon a contract between the fourth party and the first party.
[082] In an embodiment, if none of the first parties have available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed, then the waste disposal is put on hold. Alternately, in such a case, the WMS 200 may select a plurality of first parties so that the total available accumulated waste adds up to the quantity of waste to be disposed.
[083] The WMS 200 notifies the selected first party(ies) of such selection. The selected first party(ies) via client WMS installed on the device A 20 may either accept or reject the selection. If the selected first party(ies) rejects the selection, then the WMS 200 may select other first party based upon a priority list. The priority list may be saved in the database 201. The priority list corresponds to a list of first parties having a pre-defined order of preference. The pre-defined order of preference may be pre-fed in the WMS 200. Alternately, the verification module 209 may prepare the priority list depending upon the sequence in which the WMS 200 receives the proposal for dispatch creation.
[084] On acceptance of the selection, the second party is prompted to transport waste from the selected first party to the third party. The selected first party via the client WMS installed on the device A 20 may input the details of the dispatch of the waste via the selected second party and such inputs are received by the dispatch module 205 at step 311. The details of dispatch may include, without limitation, data from weighment slip and other documents, freight bill, bill of supply, bill-T, E-way bill, etc. The details of the dispatch are saved on the database 201.
[085] The first party then dispatches the waste via the second party. The second party may include one or more transport units to transport waste from the first party to the third party. The transport units may include a pre-defined waste carrying capacity.
[086] Once, the transport unit reaches the third party (dispatch is delivered), the second party may notify the WMS 200 about the same and the prompt module 203 generates a prompt which activates the verification module 209. The verification module 209 along with optionally, the OCR system may verify the details of the dispatch to determine in case of any lapse at step 313. The verification module 209 may map the details of the one or more hardcopies shared by a human operator associated with the transport unit(s) and the details of the dispatch uploaded by the device A 20 to identify if there is any mismatch between the details, over weight of the transport unit when the quantity of waste carried exceeds the waste carrying capacity of the transport unit, etc. As mentioned above, the verification of the documents/information by the verification module 209 is conducted in compliance with the specified waste management rule of the governing authority. The said mapping/verification leads to preparation of reports that meet legal compliances of reporting thereby making the process efficient and time effective.
[087] In case of any lapse, the verification is denied and the dispatch is rejected. Alternately on successful verification of the dispatch, the allocation module 211 may allocate EPR credits to the fourth party based on the quantity of the waste delivered to the third party in the dispatch for disposal at step 315. For example, for every 100 metric tons of recycled materials, 100 EPR credits may be provided to the fourth party. The fourth party may either keep the EPR credits with itself or raise a transaction request for selling the EPR credits via the transaction module 215.
[088] In case, where the request for waste disposal is not made by the fourth party, the first party may initiate dispatch creation on its own. In such a case, the EPR credits may be sold by the first/second/third parties via client WMS installed on the respective devices. FIG. 4 represents a flowchart in such a case. At step 401, the first party via the client WMS installed on the device A 20 may make a proposal for dispatch creation depending upon the waste accumulated with the first party and such a proposal is received by the prompt module 203. The proposal for dispatch creation includes details of the first party and details of the dispatch.
[089] At step 403, the prompt module 203 generates a prompt which activates the verification module 209. The verification module 209 maps the details as provided in the request made by the first party via the client WMS installed on the device A 20 with the corresponding details saved on the database 201 to verify the same. In case, any of the details is unavailable in the database 201, then the request is rejected. In such a case, the unavailable details are requested from the device A 20/the device B 30 and saved in the database 201 and the first party may prompt a request again.
[090] Once the proposal for dispatch creation is accepted by the verification module 209, a second party is prompted to transport waste from the first party to a third party upon successful verification. The selection of the second party is in accordance with method as described above. The first party via the client WMS installed on the device A 20 may input the details of the dispatch through the dispatch module 205 at step 405 and are received by the WMS 200. The details of dispatch may include, without limitation, data from weighment slip and other documents, freight bill, bill of supply, bill-T, E-way bill, etc. The said details are saved on the database 201.
[091] The first party then dispatches the waste via the second party. The second party may include one or more transport units to transport waste from the first party to the third party. The transport units may include a pre-defined waste carrying capacity.
[092] Once, the transport unit reaches the third party (dispatch is delivered), the second party may notify the WMS 200 about the same and the prompt module 203 generates a prompt which activates the verification module 209. The verification module 209 along with optionally, the OCR system may verify the details of the dispatch to determine in case of any lapse at step 407. The verification module 209 may map the details of the one or more hardcopies shared by a human operator associated with the transport unit(s) and the details of the dispatch uploaded by the device A 20 via the client WMS. Lapse in the present invention may include mismatch between the details, over weight of the transport unit when the quantity of waste carried exceeds the waste carrying capacity of the transport unit, etc. As mentioned above, the verification of the documents/information by the verification module 209 is conducted in compliance with the specified waste management rule of the governing authority. The said mapping/verification leads to preparation of reports that meet legal compliances of reporting thereby making the process efficient and time effective.
[093] In case of any lapse, the verification is denied and the dispatch is rejected. Alternately on successful verification of the dispatch, the allocation module 211 may quantify the waste disposed and assign a value of EPR credits based upon the waste disposed at step 409. The assigned value of EPR credits may be saved on the database 201 for instant or future allocation.
[094] In an embodiment, the assigned value of EPR credits may be allocated to at least one of, the first party, the second party or the third party.
[095] For example, post the above steps, the first party, the second party or the third party may raise a transaction request via the client WMS installed on respective devices A 20/ B 30/ C 40 for selling the EPR credits and is received by the prompt module 203 at step 411. The prompt module 203 may save the query on the database 201 and generate a prompt for activation of the transaction module 215 at step 413. The transaction module 215 may extract details such as name of the seller party, value of the EPR credits to be sold, etc. from the transaction request and map the same with any prior transaction request for purchasing EPR credits if made at step 413. In case a match between the requested EPR credits for sale and EPR credits for purchase is identified, the transaction module 215 identifies the buyer (sixth party) and the allocation module 211 allocates the EPR credits at step 415 to complete the transaction. In case there is no match found or no prior transaction request for purchase of EPR credits, then the transaction module 215 may notify all fourth parties and sixth parties as added in the database 201 so that a successful transaction is made.
[096] Likewise, if a transaction request is made by the sixth party via the client WMS installed on the device F 70 for purchase of EPR credits, then the prompt module 203 may save the query on the database 201 and generate a prompt to activate the transaction module 215. The transaction module 215 may extract details such as name of the buyer party, value of the EPR credits to be bought, etc. from the transaction request and map the same with any prior transaction request for sale of EPR credits if made. In case of a match between the requested EPR credits for purchase and EPR credits for sale, the transaction module 215 identifies the seller (first/third/fourth party) and the allocation module 211 allocates the EPR credits to complete the transaction. In case there is no match found or no prior transaction request for sale of EPR credits, then the transaction module 215 notifies all first/third/fourth parties as added in the database 201 so that a successful transaction is made.
[097] Based upon the above activities, a plurality of reports may be generated by the WMS 200 of the present invention. The said reports may be further referred easily at one place by the fifth party for a pre-defined purpose such as an external audit.
[098] Hence, based the foregoing description, the present invention helps in creating an efficient, transparent and more reportable ecosystem for waste management under extended producer responsibility.
[099] The above described WMS 200 of the present invention is associated with the following advantages over existing systems:
1. The existing systems mostly take a total time period of 75 to 120 days from request generation for waste disposal to collection, actual disposal of waste and final document submission. Owing to the WMS 200 of the present invention the total time period has reduced to 30-35 days.
2. Existing systems require manual preparation of compliance reports by stakeholder which requires a minimum of 2 hours. Also, collection and verification of compliance documents at the time of report preparation takes a minimum of 3 hours. The WMS 200 of the present invention has mitigated this by allowing generation of reports in click of a button. Documents are ready to download along with the report. The WMS 200 facilitates a quick and more efficient verification which only takes 15 mins.
3. Time consumed for doing analytics relating to waste management including logistic management, stakeholder evaluation, etc. is very high in the existing systems. In most of the cases, it is not even possible to perform analytics as the amount of data is very large and is not available in digital form. The WMS 200 on the other hand, integrated platform which stores and processes data relating to all stakeholders at a single place thereby providing easy analytics relating to waste management.
4. As the WMS 200 is automated and performs activities in compliance with waste management rules, chances of having errors and delays have reduced by 90%.
5. As the WMS 200 has also connected the stakeholders with auditors, the time consumption by auditors by has gone down by 60%. Query and reply are automatically saved against each document. There is no requirement of tracking of query and reply sheets. The status sheets can be easily downloaded at any time through click of button.
6. The administrative cost of performing waste management activities has reduced at least by 50% as compared to the existing systems.
[100] The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM
1. An integrated waste management system (200) (WMS 200) involving multiple categories of stakeholders for facilitating waste disposal efficiently, the system comprising:
a prompt module (203) configured to generate one or more prompts on the basis of one or more inputs received from at least one stakeholder from amongst multiple categories of stakeholders via a client WMS installed on a device of the respective stakeholder, the one or more inputs including one of, a request for waste disposal or one or more proposals for dispatch creation, wherein the prompts generated by the prompt module (203) trigger initiation of at least one waste management activity on WMS (200);
a dispatch module (205) configured to receive one or more details of a dispatch by the at least one stakeholder via the client WMS installed on the respective device;
a verification module (209) in communication with the prompt module (203), configured to verify one or more details of the proposal for dispatch creation and accordingly allow selection of one or more stakeholders, the verification module (209) configured to verify the details of the dispatch once the dispatch is delivered for waste disposal;
a tracking module (207) configured to track status of the dispatch; and
an allocation module (211) configured to quantify the waste disposed and allocate equivalent EPR credits to the respective stakeholder on successful verification of the details of the dispatch by the verification module (209).
2. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the request for waste disposal includes a quantity of waste that is required to be disposed.
3. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the details of the dispatch include data from weighment slip and other documents, freight bill, bill of supply, bill-T and E-way bill.
4. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one waste management activity includes waste disposal, auditing or transaction of EPR credits.
5. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the prompt module (203) is configured to receive one or more access requests from at least one stakeholder from the multiple categories of stakeholders via a client WMS installed on a device of the respective stakeholder for auditing.
6. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the verification module (209) selects a stakeholder the multiple categories of stakeholders having available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed specified in the request for waste disposal.
7. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the verification module (209) selects a plurality of stakeholders from the multiple categories of stakeholders such that a total of available accumulated waste with the plurality of stakeholders adds up to the quantity of waste to be disposed.
8. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the verification module (209) is configured to receive selection of a stakeholder from the multiple categories of stakeholders having available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed by a stakeholder of another category of stakeholders.
9. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the WMS (200) facilitates verification of each and every step of the at least one waste management activity performed by the stakeholders in accordance with waste management rules laid down by a local government authority that are pre-fed in the WMS (200).
10. The integrated waste management system (200) as claimed in claims 1 and 5 wherein the WMS (200) includes an audit module (213) which is configured to extract details from the one or more access requests and map the same with details of a list of approved auditors as saved in the WMS (200) to process the one or more access requests of approved auditors only.
11. A method for waste disposal using waste management system (200) (WMS 200), the method comprising:
receiving a request for waste disposal from a fourth party via a client WMS installed on a device D (50), wherein the request for waste disposal includes a quantity of waste to be disposed;
receiving a proposal for dispatch creation by the at least one first party, upon receipt of a notification by the at least one first party, via the client WMS installed on the device A (20), wherein the proposal for dispatch creation includes details of the first party and details of the dispatch;
verifying the details from the proposal for dispatch creation;
selecting at least one first party upon successful verification;
prompting a second party to transport waste from the selected first party to a third party, wherein the second party is selected by one of, the first party via the client WMS installed on the device A (20), the fourth party via the client WMS installed on the device D (50) or the WMS 200;
receiving details of the dispatch from the device A (20) of the selected first party relating to dispatch of the waste via the selected second party, the details of the dispatch being saved on a database (201);
verifying the details of the dispatch once the dispatch reaches a third party, wherein the verifying the details includes mapping the details of one or more documents as shared by the selected second party with the details of the dispatch as saved on the database (201); and
allocating EPR credits to the fourth party on successful verification of the dispatch based on the quantity of the waste received by the third party in the dispatch for waste disposal.
12. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the method includes enabling waste disposal in compliance with the waste management rules as laid down by a local government body that are pre-fed in the WMS (200).
13. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the details of the proposal of dispatch creation include one or more of, quantity of accumulated waste available for disposal, details of the second party and agreement between the first and the second parties.
14. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the selecting at least one first party includes selecting a first party having available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed.
15. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the selecting at least one first party includes selecting a first party from amongst the plurality of first parties having available accumulated waste more than or equal to the quantity of waste to be disposed based upon a priority list.
16. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the selecting at least one first party includes selection of the first party by at least one of, the fourth party or the WMS (200).
17. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the selecting at least one first party includes selecting a plurality of first parties such that a total of available accumulated waste with the plurality of first parties adds up to the quantity of waste to be disposed.
18. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the prompting the second party includes selecting the second party by the WMS (200) based upon the proximity of the second party to the selected first party, availability of the second party and/or contract between first party and second party.
19. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the details of the dispatch include data from weighment slip and other documents, freight bill, bill of supply, bill-T and E-way bill.
20. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the allocating the EPR credits includes quantifying the waste disposed to equivalent EPR credits using a pre-defined relationship.
21. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the method includes auditing of documents relating to at least one of, the first party, the second party, the third party or the fourth party by one or more fifth parties.
22. A method for waste disposal using waste management system (200) (WMS 200), the method comprising:
receiving a proposal for dispatch creation by the at least one first party via the client WMS installed on the device A (20), wherein the proposal for dispatch creation includes details of the first party and details of the dispatch;
verifying the details from the proposal for dispatch creation;
prompting a second party to transport waste from the first party to a third party upon successful verification, wherein the second party is selected by one of, the first party via the client WMS installed on the device A (20), or the WMS (200);
receiving details of the dispatch from the device A (20) of the first party for dispatch of waste via the selected second party, the details of the dispatch being saved on a database (201);
verifying the details of the dispatch once the dispatch reaches a third party, wherein the verifying the details includes mapping the details of one or more documents as shared by the selected second party with the details of the dispatch as saved on the database (201); and
quantifying the waste disposed to equivalent EPR credits post waste disposal and saving assigned EPR credits in the database (201) for instant or future allocation.
23. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 22 wherein the method includes enabling waste disposal in compliance with the waste management rules as laid down by a local government body that are pre-fed in the WMS (200).
24. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 22 wherein the details of the proposal of dispatch creation include one or more of, quantity of accumulated waste available for disposal, details of the second party and agreement between the first and the second parties.
25. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 22 wherein the prompting the second party includes selecting the second party by the WMS (200) based upon the proximity of the second party to the selected first party, availability of the second party and/or contract between first party and second party.
26. The method for waste disposal as claimed in claim 22 wherein the details of the dispatch include data from weighment slip and other documents, freight bill, bill of supply, bill-T and E-way bill.