Fusion of Blockchain, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics for Efficient Waste Management in Smart Cities

Guma  Ali; Denis Asiku; Maad M. Mijwil; Ioannis Adamopoulos; Marek Dudek

Authors

Guma Ali 1. Department of Computer and Information Science, Faculty of Technoscience, Muni University, Arua, Uganda; 2. Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3234-6420
Denis Asiku Department of Computer and Information Science, Faculty of Technoscience, Muni University, Arua, Uganda https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4608-1858
Maad M. Mijwil 3. College of Administration and Economics, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq; 4. Computer Techniques Engineering Department, Baghdad College of Economic Sciences University, Baghdad, Iraq; 5 Faculty of Engineering, Canadian Institute of Technology, Albania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2884-2504
Ioannis Adamopoulos Hellenic Open University, School of Social Science, MPH Postgraduate Program, Public Health & Policies, Patra, Greece https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4942-7123
Marek Dudek Faculty of Management, AGH University of Krakow, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9818-739X

Keywords:

Waste Management, Smart Waste Management, Blockchain Technology, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and population growth are accelerating waste generation in cities worldwide, posing serious environmental and socio-economic challenges. Traditional waste management systems, often centralized and infrastructure-deficient, struggle with inefficiencies, unscheduled collection, and a lack of real-time data. These limitations hinder progress toward smart and sustainable urban environments. Blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Robotics are reshaping waste collection, sorting, and recycling. This review examines how these technologies integrate to create secure, efficient, and sustainable waste management in smart cities. An analysis of 184 studies published between January 2022 and July 2025 reveals key shortcomings in conventional waste management systems and showcases the benefits of smart waste management solutions. The results showed that cities are already using IoT-enabled smart bins, AI-driven route optimization, Blockchain for waste tracking, and robotic sorting. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns, limited Blockchain scalability, system interoperability gaps, sensor reliability issues, and high computational demands limit broader adoption. The review outlines future research priorities, including AI-powered waste forecasting, swarm robotics, real-time edge computing, and enhanced cybersecurity. By providing a roadmap for technological innovation and integration, this study supports policymakers, urban planners, and industry leaders in developing intelligent, cost-effective, and environmentally resilient waste management systems.