Smart Waste Sorter

Inspiration

As cities grow, so does waste and pollution. Sorting waste efficiently becomes harder and more important for a clean and healthy environment. This project helps people quickly know how to sort their waste, making cities cleaner and more sustainable.

What it does

Smart Waste Sorter lets users upload a photo or the name of their waste item. The app uses AI (Clarifai and Google Gemini APIs) to analyze the image or the name and instantly tells the user how to sort the item—recyclable, compostable, or landfill—making recycling smarter and easier.

How we built it

• Frontend: Built with React and Vite for a fast, modern user experience.
• Backend: Node.js/Express server written in TypeScript, handling API requests and integrating with Clarifai and Google Gemini for image analysis.
• APIs: Clarifai for image recognition, Google Gemini for AI reasoning.
• Deployment: Frontend deployed on Vercel, backend deployed on Render.
• Version Control: Managed with Git and GitHub.

What we learned

• How to integrate multiple AI APIs for real-world image classification.
• Best practices for structuring a full-stack TypeScript project.
• The importance of clear user feedback and error handling in AI-powered apps.
• How to deploy and manage environment variables securely on cloud platforms.
• The value of teamwork and iterative development for building impactful solutions.

Built With

• express.js
• node.js
• react
• typescript
• vite