Blockchain-Enabled Traceability Platform for Hazardous Industrial Waste Generation and Disposal Compliance

Abstract

The management of hazardous industrial waste requires transparent tracking, secure documentation, and strict regulatory compliance to prevent environmental contamination and illegal disposal practices. Conventional waste tracking systems often face challenges related to data manipulation, limited transparency, fragmented reporting, and inefficient coordination among industrial stakeholders. This study presents a blockchain-enabled traceability platform for hazardous industrial waste generation and disposal compliance to improve accountability, security, and real-time monitoring throughout the waste management lifecycle. The proposed framework integrates blockchain technology, distributed databases, smart contracts, and digital tracking mechanisms to securely record waste generation, transportation, storage, treatment, and final disposal activities across interconnected industrial networks. Key operational parameters, including waste type, quantity, transportation status, disposal method, and regulatory documentation, were continuously monitored and validated using tamper-resistant blockchain transactions. Smart contract mechanisms were implemented to automate compliance verification, approval workflows, and environmental reporting procedures under varying regulatory requirements. Experimental and simulation analyses demonstrated that the blockchain-enabled platform significantly improved data integrity, operational transparency, and traceability efficiency compared to conventional centralized waste management systems. The decentralized architecture also enhanced cybersecurity resilience and minimized risks associated with unauthorized data modification and compliance fraud. Comparative evaluation indicated substantial improvements in waste tracking accuracy, regulatory responsiveness, and stakeholder coordination through secure digital record management and real-time information sharing.