Inspiration
Living in Rwanda, I have seen firsthand how uncoordinated waste collection and low recycling rates negatively impact our environment and public health. I was inspired to build SmartWaste, a digital solution to modernize waste pickup, empower citizens to report issues in real-time, and promote a recycling culture using technology accessible to everyone—including USSD for those without smartphones.
What it does
How to integrate React.js with a Django backend for scalable web development. How to use Docker and Kubernetes to containerize and deploy services. How to set up a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions for rapid iteration.
How we built it
Frontend: React.js (Web), React Native (Mobile) Backend: Django REST Framework Database: PostgreSQL Deployment: Docker + Kubernetes (K8s) CI/CD: GitHub Actions Monitoring: Prometheus + Grafana
Challenges we ran into
Ensuring the platform works offline and on USSD, due to device limitations in some areas. Handling secure user data and authentication in a decentralized environment. Implementing location services in areas with limited GPS accuracy. Managing deployment on Kubernetes with limited cloud resources.
What's next for Smart waste pickup and recycling platform
Integration with mobile money APIs for payment automation. Expansion to more districts and recycling cooperatives. Partnering with government and private waste collection companies.
Built With
- django
- javascript
- python
- tailwindcss
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