OneMansTrash

One man's trash is another man's treasure ! We are putting a twist on recycling by making it more community based. this app makes it so the community can surrender one mans trash or find treasure !

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OneMansTrash

Group Members:
Selin Bacaz (selinb@udel.edu)
Brandon Nauta (bnauta@udel.edu)

Problem Statement & Motivation

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Everyday reusable materials — egg cartons, pickle jars, cardboard scraps, fabric remnants, packaging materials — are frequently discarded simply because there is no easy, hyper-local way to redistribute them. While platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor allow item exchanges, they are not optimized for small, low-value reusable materials.

OneMansTrash reimagines recycling by making it community-based, organized, and accessible. Instead of throwing reusable materials away, users can surrender their “trash” and allow others to turn it into treasure.

Objectives

The objective of this project is to:

  • Encourage the reuse of common “waste” materials
  • Foster community connection and collaboration
  • Reduce unnecessary household waste
  • Support creative reuse and upcycling

OneMansTrash combines sustainability and social interaction into one streamlined platform.

Stakeholders & Intended Users

Primary Users

  • Community members interested in sustainability
  • Individuals who frequently reuse or upcycle materials
  • DIY hobbyists and artists
  • Students and families

Secondary Stakeholders

  • Schools
  • Art clubs
  • Community centers
  • Nonprofits
  • Local sustainability initiatives

How Will We Get It Off the Ground?

To successfully launch OneMansTrash, we plan to:

  • Distribute posters and pamphlets in neighborhoods
  • Target areas that produce high volumes of reusable waste
  • Reach hobby groups, nonprofits, schools, and community centers
  • Promote within local sustainability and recycling communities

By focusing on specific neighborhoods or community groups first, we can build an initial user base and grow organically through local engagement.

High-Level Features (MVP)

Treasure Feed (Community Marketplace Style)

A scrollable feed similar to Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor.

Users can:

  • Post items they are giving away (egg cartons, jars, fabric scraps, etc.)
  • Upload photos
  • Add descriptive tags
  • Specify pickup availability
  • Indicate pickup method
  • Mark items as “claimed”
  • List quantity available

Tags & Category Filters

Users can categorize posts with filters such as:

  • Art Supplies
  • Containers
  • Fabric
  • Packaging Materials
  • Upcycle Projects

This makes it easier for users to find exactly what they need.

Neighborhood Radius Matching

Users can:

  • Set a pickup radius (1–10 miles)
  • Select “porch pickup only”
  • Opt for “contactless exchange”

This keeps exchanges hyper-local and convenient.

Scheduled Community “Swap Days”

An in-app event system to promote:

  • Local swap meets
  • Park cleanup days
  • Community garage exchanges

This feature encourages offline social bonding and strengthens community ties.

Optional Features (Future Development)

“Before It Hits the Trash” Reminder System

Optional notification:

“Are you throwing something away? Check if someone nearby wants it first!”

This could integrate with browser or push notifications.

Verified Community System

To build trust and safety:

  • User ratings
  • Verified address badge
  • Pickup reliability score

This ensures the platform remains organized and community-driven.

Schools & Organizations Mode

Partnering with:

  • Schools
  • Art clubs
  • Community centers

Organizations could post requests such as:

  • “We need 200 bottle caps.”
  • “Looking for cardboard sheets.”

This enables institutional engagement and measurable community impact.

Roles

Selin Bacaz

  • Product Manager
  • UX/UI Designer
  • Front-End Developer

Brandon Nauta

  • Full-Stack Developer
  • Backend & Database Development

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