Inspiration:
We have all been in situations where we wanted to throw something away but could not find a trash can, wanted to recycle an item but did not know where to take it, or needed a public restroom nearby. These problems seem small, but they can make everyday life frustrating. We wanted to create something that would make finding these resources easier while encouraging people to keep their communities clean. That is how BinThere started.
What it does:
BinThere is a location based platform that helps people find nearby trash cans, recycling centers, and public restrooms in one place. Users can explore a map to find resources around them instead of spending time searching. We also want to make waste disposal easier by providing guidance on whether items should be recycled, reused, donated, or thrown away. Our goal is to help people make better choices and make public spaces cleaner and more accessible.
How we built it:
We built BinThere around an interactive map that helps users find useful public resources based on their location. Our plan includes using Mapbox to display the map and provide navigation, along with location data from sources such as OpenStreetMap to identify nearby facilities. We are also exploring AI powered disposal guidance to help users understand how to dispose of different items properly. We focused on keeping the experience simple so users can quickly find what they need without navigating a complicated interface.
Challenges we ran into:
One of our biggest challenges was figuring out how to find accurate and up to date information about public trash cans, recycling centers, and restrooms. Not every location has complete information available, and a place appearing on a map does not always mean it is accessible or available to the public. We also had to think about how to bring mapping, location services, and disposal guidance together in a way that feels easy to use. We learned that building a useful solution requires more than just putting locations on a map.
Accomplishments that we're proud of:
We are proud of turning a common everyday frustration into an idea with a clear purpose. BinThere brings several useful resources together in one place and focuses on a problem that many people experience but rarely think about until they need help. We are especially proud of the potential to combine location based search with better disposal guidance and community reports, making the platform useful for both individuals and the neighborhoods they live in.
What we learned:
We learned that even simple problems can have complicated solutions. Accurate data, a clear user experience, and reliable location information are just as important as the technology behind an app. We also realized that sustainability becomes more practical when people have the information they need at the right time. Most importantly, we learned to focus on solving a real problem instead of adding features just for the sake of making a project more complex.
What's next for BinThere:
We want to make BinThere more useful by improving the accuracy of location data and adding community reporting for overflowing bins, missing trash cans, and unavailable facilities. We also hope to introduce an AI powered feature that lets users take a picture of an item and get guidance on how to dispose of it properly. In the future, we would like to include accessibility information, opening hours, and walking routes that help users find the most suitable resource, not just the closest one.
Our long term goal is to make BinThere a tool people can rely on in their everyday lives and help make keeping our communities clean a little easier for everyone.
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