Inspiration
Kenya faces a growing organic waste crisis, with tons of food waste generated daily from farms, households, and local markets. Much of this waste ends up in landfills, producing methane — a potent greenhouse gas — instead of being converted into useful energy. Witnessing this challenge inspired us to build EcoVerse, a digital ecosystem that connects communities, waste generators, and energy producers to turn waste into value while promoting sustainability and circular economy principles.
What it does
EcoVerse is a smart sustainability and impact-tracking platform that allows users to:
- Deposit waste (especially organic waste) at verified collection hubs.
- Earn digital green tokens that can be redeemed for eco-friendly rewards such as solar credits, LPG discounts, or tree-planting sponsorships.
- Track personal and community impact — such as kilograms of waste diverted, energy generated, or CO₂ saved.
Support circular economy initiatives by connecting waste to energy producers, recyclers, and composting businesses.
In short, EcoVerse bridges the gap between waste management, green energy, and community empowerment.
How we built it
- Frontend: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for a responsive dashboard.
- Backend: Django (Python) to handle data processing, APIs, and user management.
- Database: PostgreSQL for scalable storage of waste, impact, and user data.
- Integrations: Africa’s Talking API for SMS/USSD accessibility and Google Maps for hub geolocation.
- Gemini AI & Analytics: Machine learning modules to detect waste collection anomalies and recommend eco actions.
Challenges we ran into
- Data Inavailability
- Timeliness
Accomplishments that we're proud of
- Successfully created a working prototype that integrates waste data tracking, token rewards, and AI anomaly detection.
- Built an impact dashboard that visualizes environmental metrics in real-time.
- Designed an inclusive USSD feature to reach users without smartphones.
- AI powered Voice Assistant Agent to provide voice calls and digital underserved users
What we learned
- Waste management isn’t just a logistics problem; it’s an economic opportunity.
- Community participation grows when incentives and transparency are aligned.
- Leveraging AI and data can significantly optimize waste collection and conversion efficiency.
What's next for Ecoverse
- Launch mobile and USSD applications to increase accessibility.
- Introduce carbon credit tracking for users and businesses contributing to waste reduction.
- Build an AI-powered recommendation system for personalized sustainability tips.
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