IoT-Driven circular economy model for sustainable rose greenhouse irrigation and resource recovery

Calle-Quispe L.; Mori-Novoa A.; Velasquez-Costa J.; Torres-Zavala J.; Losada-Gutierrez C. · Proceedings of the 2025 IEEE 5th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies on Education and Research, ICALTER 2025 (2025) · DOI: 10.1109/icalter69698.2025.11355028

Resumen

The floriculture industry faces growing challenges in resource efficiency and environmental sustainability, especially in greenhouse rose production, where conventional manual irrigation methods often lead to excessive water and nutrient consumption. This study presents the design and implementation of an IoT-driven circular economy model that integrates smart irrigation control with water and nutrient recovery systems in rose greenhouses. The proposed prototype employs an ESP32 microcontroller connected to soil moisture, pH, temperature, flow, and water-level sensors to monitor environmental conditions in real time. When soil humidity drops below the optimal threshold (30-35 %), the system automatically activates water pumps, ensuring precise irrigation while minimizing waste. Collected drainage water is filtered, rebalanced in p H(6.0-6.5), and recirculated to achieve up to 40% reduction in total water use and 35% savings in nutrient input compared to manual irrigation. Moreover, floral residues are composted and reused as biofertilizer, closing the material loop within the production cycle. Results indicate a 52% improvement in overall resource efficiency and a 28% decrease in operational costs, demonstrating the feasibility of circular practices supported by IoT automation in sustainable rose cultivation. This model contributes to the transition toward Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy integration in the agricultural sector, offering a scalable solution for eco-efficient greenhouse management.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas