Prism

Prism Logo
Meet The Team

Inspiration

At Prism, we hold a deep appreciation for every shard of glass, recognizing its potential for transformation into valuable resources. Regardless of its size, shape, or origin, every piece of glass is treated with the utmost respect and care within our recycling processes. We noticed that a lot of glass is being recycled with other recyclable materials such as plastic and cardboard. However, through transportation and mixing with other materials, a lot of this valuable glass is lost and that is where the idea for Prism was born.

What it does

Prism has vendors all around the United States in every city in which bystanders are able to drop off their glass and in return get paid for doing so. We know recycling seems like a tedious task for many, which is why we are compelled to incentivize people to recycle with Prism. Businesses also have options to purchase our latest model of collection bins in which they can be installed outside of a building, and we do all of the work of collecting and upcycling the glass. With collected glass, we aim to sell the newly upcycled glass to businesses that not only want to save on costs but also that want to promote a sustainable and eco-friendly environment.

How we built it

We built our software with the coding language Lua and code-editor VSCode. With the combination of Lua and Roblox Studios easy GUI builder, we were able to make our application come to life with complete functionality and a modern design. Additionally, we used Figma to style the GUI elements and to better visualize exactly how we wanted our product to look.

Challenges we ran into

One significant hurdle we encountered was transitioning our conceptualized glass idea from paper to actual coding and implementation. Despite facing various bugs and experiencing moments of frustration, our unwavering vision kept us motivated. Additionally, designing the user interface, especially incorporating the distinctive buttons that set our project apart, posed another formidable challenge. Balancing innovation with functionality in the UI required careful consideration and added complexity to the development process.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of the system that we are going to be able to implement into the world. Through Prism both ordinary people and businesses will thrive. People will be able to receive more money for their recyclable glass which will incentivize recycling on a level it has never been before. Businesses will be able to both help combat pollution and purchase glass items at a discounted rate compared to other suppliers.

What we learned

Our journey was truly inspirational as we delved into Lua and Figma, gaining proficiency not only in these platforms but also in a myriad of others. This diverse learning experience strengthened our team and broadened our skill set. Above all, we acquired valuable insights into resilience and adapting to failures, solidifying our understanding of the importance of navigating challenges in the pursuit of success.

What's next for Prism

As we build prism and innovate more, we aim to expand our horizon and develop beyond the US. Countries like India, South Africa, Bangladesh, who have the leading sources of glass waste need our technology and we aim to provide the service to as many people as we could.