UDAL
Digital MRFS: Tracking Waste
for Smarter Management
Organizing Partners:
THEME: WASTE MANAGEMENT
DIGITAL MRFS: TRACKING WASTE
FOR SMARTER MANAGEMENT
STAKEHOLDER
Smt Jayalakshmi K.A.S
Deputy Secretary and District Nodal Officer, Swachh
Bharat Mission (Gramin) Zilla Panchayath
Project Director, District Urban Development Cell
Core Issue
Material Recovery Facilities - Semi-mechanized facility where
dry waste is separated into various types are directed to
authorized end destinations - currently lack systems to store
data or generate reports. This means they have no clear
records of how much waste they receive, process, or send
out, making it hard to manage operations, track finances, or
show results to stakeholders.
Constraints
Digital Literacy Limitations - Varying levels of technology familiarity among MRF operators
Unreliable internet access in rural MRF locations
Device Accessibility - Limited availability of devices for digital tracking at MRF sites
Data Security - Ensuring business operations data remains secure and accessible only to authorized
personnel
Verification Mechanisms - Ensuring accurate weighing and classification of materials
Context
Dakshina Kannada currently has 4 MRFs in Tenkayedapadavu (10 TPD Capacity), Ujire,
Narikombu and Kedambadi (7 TPD Capacity). Rural MRFs operate on a zero-cost business
model where gram panchayats provide waste at no cost, which MRF centers then sort, process,
and sell to generate revenue. The current operations involve weighing incoming waste vehicles,
manual sorting of dry waste into categories (plastic, rubber, etc.), and directing materials to
appropriate destinations (recycling facilities for recyclables, cement factories for non-
recyclables).
Groundwork to be considered
Observing current MRF workflows and identifying key data collection points
Determining what metrics are essential for operational transparency
Identifying key stakeholders and the format in which they need the data
Existing Systems
Manual Weighing - Basic weighing of incoming vehicles without systematic digital recording
Visual Sorting - Physical separation of waste types with minimal documentation
Paper-Based Records - Limited and inconsistent manual recording of operations data
Reliance on memory and verbal communication for operational updates
Inconsistent methods for tracking sales of processed materials
Resources
Material Recovery Facilities and how they work
https://youtu.be/6vHfue5ENks?si=4RGNsDRP0eXmbgNh
Detailed info about MRF
Sajeevini Okattu: Their role in SWM
Sanjeevini Okattu is a decentralized waste management initiative under the Sanjeevini –
Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (KSRLPS), aligned with the Solid Waste
Management (SWM) goals of Dakshina Kannada (D.K.) district. It’s part of a broader effort to
empower Self-Help Groups (SHGs)—especially women-led ones—to play a direct role in
managing and improving local sanitation and waste systems in rural areas.
The Okattu model operates in close coordination with local Gram Panchayats, who are
responsible for overseeing SWM infrastructure.
SHGs may be contracted under Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin or state schemes to handle
daily waste operations.
Technical Skills
Software Development
Backend Development (Node.js, Python, Django, etc.): For building APIs to manage and store
data from MRF operations
Frontend Development (React, Vue, or lightweight mobile-first UIs) + UI & UX
For creating simple, usable interfaces for MRF operators
Needs to accommodate low digital literacy (use icons, color cues, vernacular language
support)
Mobile App Development
Especially important for low-device-access environments
Build Android-first apps (possibly PWA or offline-first)
Flutter or React Native to help with multi-platform development
Integrate local storage + sync when online
IoT & Embedded Systems
For automated weighing and classification of materials:
Arduino/Raspberry Pi integration
Sensor calibration (e.g., weight, moisture, image sensors)
Basic PCB prototyping
Cloud & Reporting: For dashboard access by admins and stakeholders
