Inspiration

I was inspired to build EcoTracker because I wanted to help people live more sustainably and reduce food waste. With so many perishable items going unused, I saw an opportunity to create something that could make it easier for people to manage their food and compost effectively. EcoTracker aims to provide simple and actionable solutions for reducing waste and making eco-friendly choices.

What it does

EcoTracker helps users keep track of their stored items and gives personalized, eco-friendly tips on how to use and compost them. You can add items to your list—whether they’re perishable or not—and the AI will give you suggestions like recipes, ways to preserve items, or even composting tips if the items are too far gone. It’s a simple way to make sure food doesn’t go to waste.

How I built it

I built EcoTracker using React for the frontend and Node.js for the backend. I designed the interface so users can easily add items, mark whether they’re perishable, and receive helpful suggestions. I integrated an AI model to generate personalized recommendations based on the input list, and used Tailwind CSS to ensure the app is both responsive and easy to navigate. The backend processes user input and communicates with the AI to generate real-time suggestions.

Challenges I ran into

One of the biggest challenges was getting the AI to provide relevant and helpful recommendations. It was tricky to ensure the suggestions felt natural and useful. I also faced some technical hurdles with API integration and making sure the frontend and backend communicated smoothly. Another challenge was making the interface intuitive for users, especially when it came to managing multiple items and showing real-time responses.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

I’m really proud of how I was able to integrate AI into EcoTracker to deliver meaningful and practical suggestions. Creating a smooth, user-friendly interface that makes tracking items and getting tips easy is something I’m happy about. It was also a big win to make everything work together seamlessly—from adding items to getting AI-generated advice in real-time.

What I learned

Building EcoTracker taught me a lot about integrating AI into a real-world application. I learned how to create workflows that connect user input with AI suggestions, and I gained a deeper understanding of working with APIs and managing user data. I also improved my frontend development skills, especially using React and Tailwind CSS to create a clean and responsive design.

What's next for EcoTracker

Next, I want to expand EcoTracker by adding more types of suggestions beyond food, such as tips for reducing energy or water waste. I also plan to integrate local composting services to connect users with sustainable options in their area. Future updates might include reminders for when items are about to expire and more in-depth data insights on the items users store.

Built With

• node.js
• react
• sambanova
• tailwindcss