PlastiTrack

Fun mech duo hacking problems with tech solutions.

Inspiration

One of the goals set in Singapore Government's new Green Plan is to reduce waste sent to our landfill per capita per day by 20% by 2026, with the goal of reaching 30% by 2030. This can only be achieved through maximizing the value of resources by keeping them in use for as long as possible ,i.e., implementing circular economy. Increasing efficiency in the process of recycling products is certainly necessary in achieving that aim.

What it does

Process: A unique QR code is added into the virgin product when it is packaged. When a consumer buys the product, he/she scans the QR via the PlastiTrack app, thereby registering the sales of the product in our database. After use, when the consumer is disposing the product, QR code on the dustbin needs to scanned (otherwise the dustbin can't be opened). The bin sorts the product into one of either three compartments (HDPE, PET, Others), helping in segregation of recyclables.

App: The consumer gains points which is reflected in the app. Points depend on the type of product being disposed (recycled) and if it was sufficiently used (reused) or not. Consumer competes in mini-leagues and regional based leagues and appropriate prizes are awarded in terms of grocery vouchers, skins in popular games, etc. Another feature of the app is to do personal inventory management which shows products owned, disposed and recycled. Please note that all data concerning the product is sent to cloud. Data mined is used to optimize resource patterns and cycle times.

How we built it

Created a standard web page that can be packed into a progressive web app using HTML, CSS and Javascript.
Created a standard data format for our QR codes, which is customized to the exact data points we require. Employed the camera module OV7670 with Arduino to capture the image.

Challenges we ran into

Integration of real time online QR scanning as hitting QR reading APIs would take too long. Image processing couldn't be carried out on Arduino (due to low processing capacity) so had to integrate with Java platform on server for file (image) transfer and processing.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We managed to integrate web app into our edge computing solution through our cost effective QR.

What we learned

Learnt about sustainability goals of Singapore and UN along with how to implement technology in realizing them. Learnt in detail about QR code generation, real time reading and efficiency. Learnt about gamification methodologies and creating social effects.

What's next for PlastiTrack

The current product efficiently segregates HDPE and PET products (which constitute 70% of household daily use plastic) from other types and hence, eases the process of recycling. The next step is to incorporate more types of waste in our segregation process without over complicating the bin design.