TrashTalk

Home screen of the TrashTalk app mock-up.
Barcode scanner screen.
Screen that users will see if the item they scanned is recyclable. It would include information on how to properly recycle that material.
Figma map.
An example of a product that our program found recyclable using a barcode.
An example of a product that our program found not recyclable using a barcode.

Inspiration

While almost 90% of Americans support recycling, only 35% actually recycle. According to research by the World Economic Forum, one of the top reasons Americans do not recycle is that consumers do not fully understand what can actually be recycled. TrashTalk was inspired by the need for convenient and accessible recycling information. We know that many people are eager to recycle and make a positive impact on their community and neighborhood, but the recycling process can be very confusing. TrashTalk was created to quickly and easily provide information about the recyclability of a product. We believe that by providing people with the information they need to recycle correctly, we can all play a small but meaningful role in creating a greener and more sustainable future for ourselves and for our neighbors.

What it does

TrashTalk is an app and website that will help our users understand what can be recycled. Through TrashTalk, users will be able to access our barcode scanner and other search methods. Users can scan the barcode on a product and TrashTalk will retrieve information about the product and its recyclability status. While this is not yet fully implemented, TrashTalk can currently retrieve information about the name, packaging material, and recyclability of a product when users input the barcode number. The app will be able to provide information on recycling instructions and facilities near the user's location. The purpose of the app is to promote sustainability and help the community to reduce waste by encouraging the proper recycling of products.

How we built it

We started by researching different APIs that we could possibly use to scan barcodes, identify the materials used in the products, and determine whether or not those materials were recyclable or not. We were thinking about the different languages we used and ultimately chose javascript and HTML. The platform we used was React and CodeSandbox. The presentation was put together with Figma, Google Slides, and Adobe Premiere Pro. We used domain.com and chose TrashTalk.tech as our domain name and we used the website builder tool that was suggested on domain.com.

Challenges we ran into

Due to time constraints, we were unable to gain access to an API that we had hoped to use to help users find recycling centers near them. We encountered challenges with javascript and Figma because no one on our team had any experience with the language and platform.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are very proud of our final product. We were able to make a clean mock-up of the TrashTalk app and create a website with an original domain name. However, the accomplishment we are most proud of is the barcode reader we created using javascript, html, and the OpenFoodFacts API. We worked hard to design the app to be as user-friendly and accessible as possible, taking into account the varying levels of knowledge and experience of our users. We are proud to be a part of a growing movement of people working together to build a greener and more sustainable future.

What we learned

Throughout the creation and implementation of TrashTalk, we learned about the challenges and complexities of the recycling process. While there is a wealth of information that can be found online about what can and can’t be recycled, that information can be difficult to interpret. It’s important to make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date because recycling regulations can vary by region and change over time. We also learned the basics of javascript and Figma, as well as how to implement APIs.

What's next for TrashTalk

In the future, TrashTalk could potentially have a fully fleshed-out app and website. The app and website would hold lots of information and resources that users can easily access and interpret. We are hopeful about completing TrashTalk’s barcode scanner ability with the right knowledge, time, and teamwork. TrashTalk would also implement APIs to allow users to scan the recycle logo on items that do not have a barcode through the use of image recognition. This would help people who are confused or have visual disabilities easily know how to recycle certain items. Our team plans to continue improving TrashTalk and finding more ways to help the community.

Built With

api
codesandbox
css
domain.com
figma
html
javascript
json
openfoodfacts
quaggajs
react

Submitted to

UGAHacks 8

Created by

I contributed by using Figma to develop a mock-up of the TrashTalk app interface. We focused on creating a clean user interface that makes the process of recycling easier for our users.

Eleanor Madderra
Designed the TrashTalk.tech website and created the presentation. I also helped with writing and debugging the code in React and CodeSandBox.

Catherine Chu
I found the OpenFoodFacts API, and utilized React and CodeSandbox to do the majority of the back-end of the code. I have minimal experience in JavaScript, so it was very intimidating.

London Ho