TISB_Swap(Verde)

TISB Swap is a community-driven marketplace application designed specifically for the students and faculty of The International School Bangalore (TISB). This is to promote sustainability in schools.

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Inspiration

I witnessed a constant cycle of waste within my school community: seniors discarding expensive textbooks, students outgrowing uniforms, and a Lost & Found bin that resembled a graveyard of forgotten belongings. The true spark, however, was the overwhelming volume of emails I received daily from students desperate to find lost valuables.

I realized that TISB didn’t just need a marketplace; it needed a bridge. Inspired by the Human Interaction theme, I set out to create Verde — a platform that transforms recycling into a social, peer-to-peer connection that benefits both students’ wallets and the planet.

What It Does

Verde is a hyper-local community hub designed to facilitate sustainable interactions:

Marketplace

A gated platform to donate, swap, or “buy” (for free) school essentials like textbooks, uniforms, and electronics.

Lost & Found

A dedicated module to report and reclaim missing items, fostering a campus culture of honesty and helpfulness.

Live Impact Tracking

A real-time dashboard visualizing the community’s collective environmental contribution, including CO₂ saved, items recycled, and trees preserved.

Secure Chat

An integrated system for peers to coordinate safe, on-campus hand-offs in verified locations like the library or school fields.

How I Built It

I developed Verde using the Flutter framework to ensure a high-performance, cross-platform experience. For the infrastructure, I utilized Supabase to handle user authentication, image storage, and real-time database updates.

To give the app a premium feel, I designed a custom brand identity from scratch, implementing Adaptive Icons and a native splash screen to ensure Verde feels like a fully integrated part of a student’s mobile device.

Challenges I Ran Into

As a solo developer, I faced a steep learning curve with Supabase. Configuring the database and mastering Row-Level Security (RLS) policies was a significant hurdle in ensuring user data remained private and secure.

On the frontend, creating a seamless, lag-free search and filter system was challenging. I had to optimize the UI to update instantly as users typed while simultaneously sorting across multiple categories.

I also grappled with the nuances of Android’s Adaptive Icons, learning through trial and error how to design within safe zones to prevent branding from being cut off.

Accomplishments I’m Proud Of

  • The Live Impact Counter, which translates a simple textbook swap into approximately 10 kg of CO₂ saved, transforming the app from a utility into a mission-driven movement.
  • Successfully executing a project of this scope—encompassing a marketplace, chat system, and impact tracking—within a limited hackathon timeframe.
  • Maintaining a clean, minimalist UI/UX throughout the app.
  • Implementing automated spam and scam detection, including monthly post rate limits per user.
  • Creating a reporting mechanism that allows users to flag false information or misuse.
  • Building misuse detection that blocks inappropriate listings (e.g., gift cards, vapes, or other prohibited items) before they are published.

What I Learned

This project taught me that Human Interaction is the most powerful driver of sustainability. Technology is simply the facilitator; the real value is created when two students meet on campus to return a lost item or pass down a resource.

On the technical side, I significantly deepened my understanding of relational databases, security policies, and native mobile configurations.

What’s Next for Verde

Planned future improvements include:

  • GPS-verified Safe Swap Zones to enhance campus security.
  • A Sustainability Leaderboard to gamify eco-friendly behavior.
  • A Wall of Thanks to encourage peer appreciation.

To prepare for a real-world launch at TISB or within local housing societies, these features will help ensure Verde remains a trusted and secure platform for all users.

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