Welcome to Our Project

If you can't take it, TAG it!

Elevator Pitch

Problem Description

Outdoor recreation areas such as parks, rivers, lakes, and beaches accumulate large amounts of trash. Many independent organizations and local governments spend time and resources trawling these areas looking for litter, debris, and dumping to clean up. Not everyone that visits these locations are capable or ready to pick up large amounts of trash. Some large litter and dumping requires planning and/or equipment for proper and safe removal. Many of these areas are also very large and clean up crews must walk great distances in search of any trash that must be picked up.

Customer and End User

Primary Users

END USERS: Community members such as hikers and beachgoers who encounter trash while participating in an outdoor activity and want to report it for cleanup.

Secondary Users

CUSTOMERS: Cleanup organizations such as park services and waste management departments that plan for trash removal.

Solution Statement

Provide the public a way of quickly communicating the scope and location of found litter, trash, and dumping to organizations willing and interested in clean up. A system where users can easily upload geotagged photos of litter or dumping, thus providing a map of areas to clean for the city, volunteer organizations, or even motivated individuals so the trash could be removed far more quickly and efficiently. The photos serve as easy visual identification of the trash as well as the scope of the problem. Over time, the data can even be used for public education or even city officials to dispatch people to problem areas as a preventative measure.

Features

Live Updates

Trash Location Mapping

Rank & Reward System

Presentations

Check out our presentations for CS410 and CS411W!

Design Presentations

Design Iteration 5

Presentation PDF

Design Iteration 4

Presentation PDF

Design Iteration 2 & 3

Presentation PDF

Design Iteration 1

Presentation PDF

Iteration 3

Presentation PDF

Iteration 2

Presentation PDF

Iteration 1

Presentation PDF

Project Deliverables

Key componenents from our project

Process Flows

Problem Process Flow

Problem Process Flow View PDF

Solution Process Flow

Solution Process Flow View PDF

Platform Design

Major Functional Components Diagram(MFCD)

MFCD View PDF

Database Schema

Database Schema View PDF

Analysis

Competition Matrix

Competition Matrix View PDF

User Risk

Risk Matrix View PDF

Customer Risks

Risk Matrix View PDF

Technical Risks

Risk Matrix View PDF

Legal and Security Risks

Risk Matrix View PDF

Feature Table 1

Feature Table View PDF

Feature Table 2

Feature Table View PDF

Feature Table 3

Feature Table View PDF

Feature Table 4

Feature Table View PDF

Feature Table 5

Feature Table View PDF

Feature Table 6

Feature Table View PDF

Work Breakdown Structure 1

WBS Diagram View PDF

Work Breakdown Structure 2

WBS Diagram View PDF

Work Breakdown Structure 3

WBS Diagram View PDF

Work Breakdown Structure(WBS) 4

WBS Diagram View PDF

Work Breakdown Structure 5

WBS Diagram View PDF

Work Breakdown Structure 6

WBS Diagram View PDF

Work Breakdown Structure 7

WBS Diagram View PDF

Algorithm Design

Algorithm 1

Algorithms View PDF

Algorithm 2

Algorithms View PDF

Algorithm 3

Algorithms View PDF

Algorithm 4

Algorithms View PDF

UI/UX Design

UI Mockup 1

UI Mockup 1 View PDF

UI Mockup 2

UI Mockup 2 View PDF

UI Mockup 3

UI Mockup 3 View PDF

UI Mockup 4

UI Mockup 4 View PDF

UI Mockup 5

UI Mockup 5 View PDF

UI Mockup 6

UI Mockup 6 View PDF

UI Mockup 7

UI Mockup 7 View PDF

UI Mockup 8

UI Mockup 8 View PDF

UI Mockup 9

UI Mockup 9 View PDF

Labs

Lab Outline and Individual team member submissions

Lab 1 Outline

Download Lab 1 Outline

Lab 1 Individual Submissions

Scott Zumwalt

View Lab

Sara Perez

View Lab

Emily Rick

View Lab

Luca Brooks

View Lab

Teddy Kovacs

View Lab

Adam Daif

View Lab

User Stories

How TrashTag functions in our community

CITIZEN USER STORIES

As a Citizen,

  • I want to report the location of where trash is located so that other users can see where the issue is at and potentially clean it up.
  • I want to upload photos of litter I find so that others can see the issue, clean it, and mark it as cleaned.
  • I want to be able to report the litter type so that others are able to know if it can be safely disposed of or if assistance is required.
  • I want to mark the severity level of reported trash so that others can know how much litter is in the reported area.
  • I want to request cleanup verification status of the affected area so that it can be verified if it still exists or not.
  • I want to be able to interact with a map that locates litter-affected areas so that I can see where the litter is at.
  • I want to view the map with a “litter density” filter so that I can know which areas are heavily affected.
  • I want to be able to filter the map by “cleanup status”, “litter type”, and “location” so that the map can be easily accessible to users.
  • I want to coordinate, join, and view local cleanup events so that I can help with cleaning up litter.
  • I want to claim cleanup areas during cleanup events so that I can help with cleaning up litter.
  • I want to delegate cleanup tasks to other users when coordinating events so that cleanup events will run smoothly.
  • I want to be able to RSVP and check-in to local cleanup events so that my participation in the event(s) can be logged in the app.
  • I want to be able to see and click on app notifications about new litter-affected areas that get reported by other users so that I can be alerted to verify it.
  • I want to be able to receive proximity cleanup alerts and notifications so that I can be alerted to such events and plan accordingly.
  • I want to be able to update cleanup status so that cleanup tracking can be manually updated by users.
  • I want to upload proof of the cleanup, such as images, so that it can be accurately verified by other users.
  • I want to be able to monitor cleanup status so that I can know what needs to be cleaned up and where.
  • I want to verify accurate cleanup status so that repeated reports do not occur in report listings.
  • I want to flag suspicious content so that only litter-affected areas are getting properly reported.
  • I want to view impact statistics so that I can be motivated to help clean my community.
  • I want the app to have a reward system to that I can stay motivated to participate in clean up events.
  • I want to see a ranked list of “Top Contributors” so that I can easily track my reward progress against other users.
  • I want to be able to access the Community Guidelines so that there is clear communication between users.
  • I want my personal information to remain private so that I can safely report issues without fear of exposure.
  • I want to be able to mark certain reports as spam so that I can know if I need to flag a moderator to review it.

ORGANIZATION USER STORIES

As an Organization,

  • I want to report the location of where trash is located so that other users can see where the issue is at and potentially clean it up.
  • I want to upload photos of litter I find so that others can see the issue, clean it, and mark it as cleaned.
  • I want to be able to report the litter type so that others are able to know if it can be safely disposed of or if assistance is required.
  • I want to mark the severity level of reported trash so that others can know how much litter is in the reported area.
  • I want to request cleanup verification status of the affected area so that it can be verified if it still exists or not.
  • I want to be able to interact with a map that locates litter-affected areas so that I can see where the litter is at.
  • I want to view the map with a “litter density” filter so that I can know which areas are heavily affected.
  • I want to be able to filter the map by “cleanup status”, “litter type”, and “location” so that the map can be easily accessible to users.
  • I want to coordinate, join, and view local cleanup events so that I can help with cleaning up litter.
  • I want to claim cleanup areas during cleanup events so that I can help with cleaning up litter.
  • I want to delegate cleanup tasks to other users when coordinating events so that cleanup events will run smoothly.
  • I want to be able to RSVP and check-in to local cleanup events so that my participation in the event(s) can be logged in the app.
  • I want to be able to see and click on app notifications about new litter-affected areas that get reported by other users so that I can be alerted to verify it.
  • I want to be able to receive proximity cleanup alerts and notifications so that I can be alerted to such events and plan accordingly.
  • I want to be able to update cleanup status so that cleanup tracking can be manually updated by users.
  • I want to upload proof of the cleanup, such as images, so that it can be accurately verified by other users.
  • I want to be able to monitor cleanup status so that I can know what needs to be cleaned up and where.
  • I want to verify accurate cleanup status so that repeated reports do not occur in report listings.
  • I want to flag suspicious content so that only litter-affected areas are getting properly reported.
  • I want to view impact statistics so that I can be motivated to help clean my community.
  • I want the app to have a reward system to that I can stay motivated to participate in clean up events.
  • I want to see a ranked list of “Top Contributors” so that I can easily track my reward progress against other users.
  • I want to be able to access the Community Guidelines so that there is clear communication between users.
  • I want to embed the TrashTag map on the organization’s website so that citizens can access the data easily.
  • I want to view reported litter areas for trends so that I can easily identify where help is needed most.
  • I want to download user reports of affected areas so that I can easily know which areas are most affected.
  • I want to view density (heavy litter)-related analytics so that I know which areas need help the most.
  • I want to track event impact and the number of events completed so that I can visibly measure our environmental impact on the community.
  • I want to view cleanup statistics so that our impact is measurable and trackable.
  • I want to be able to mark certain reports as spam so that I can know if I need to flag a moderator to review it.
  • I want to assign volunteers to a particular task via scheduled cleanups so that cleanup communication is effective.
  • I want to communicate with citizens and local government directly through the platform so that we can act together.
  • I want to be able to mark areas as in-progress so that other users know we are cleaning that area.
  • I want to be able to mark an area as litter free so that other users know the area is clean now.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT USER STORIES

As a Local Government,

  • I want to view aggregated litter trends and density maps so that I can identify problem areas.
  • I want to access statistics about litter reports and cleanups so that I can plan budgets and policies.
  • I want citizen data to remain anonymous so that privacy laws and ethics are upheld.
  • I want to receive periodic reports about cleanup progress so that I can track the impact on municipal costs.
  • I want to embed the TrashTag map on city websites so that citizens can access the data easily.
  • I want to be able to easily put the TrashTag map on city websites so that more people be informed about cleanups.
  • I want to be able to coordinate city wide clean up events so that they can use direct government resources.
  • I want to be able to claim cleanup areas so that hired volunteers can clean them directly.
  • I want to be able to delegate hired volunteers to a cleanup area so that we can communicate on the cleanup site without needing to be face to face.
  • I want to view upcoming cleanups so that we can advertise them on our website.
  • I want to RSVP to local events so that other volunteers know our volunteers will be there.
  • I want to check into events so that other volunteers know our volunteers are there.

MODERATOR USER STORIES

As a Moderator,

  • I want to be able to monitor and review user-submitted reports so that I can automatically remove inappropriate or duplicate data.
  • I want to respond to post reports from users so that the platform remains trustworthy.
  • I want tools to correct or delete false or spam submissions so that data analytics remain accurate.
  • I want to be able to create and enforce clear community guidelines so that the app can foster a healthy, engaging, and collaborative online community for users.
  • I want to be able to delegate tasks so that a misassigned task can be corrected.
  • I want to be able to view cleanup events so that I can monitor that event.

Meet Team Iron

This Is Our Story

Scott Zumwalt

Team Lead

Scott is an experienced software developer and manager. After 15 years in the industry, he has returned to finish his Bachelor’s and then Master’s in Computer Science. With him at home are his wife, 4-year-old daughter, two cats, and a dog. While not doing school work or playing with his daughter, he is doing freelance writing for tabletop role playing games.

Sara Perez

Front End Developer & Document Specialist

Sara is a full-time Computer Science student at ODU. She completed her Associates in Engineering and hopes to obtain her Master's in Computer Science in the near future.

Emily Rick

Full Stack Developer

Emily is a full-time senior studying Computer Science at ODU. She plans to go on to obtain her Master’s degree in Computer Science after graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in May 2026.

Teddy Kovacs

Back End Developer & Database Design

Teddy is a full-time engineer and a Computer Science student at Old Dominion University. He completed his Bachelor’s of Arts in Music Performance from West Virginia University and enjoys merging his creativity with technical hobbies like woodworking, 3D printing, and exploring new technologies.

Luca Brooks

Back End Developer & Test Analyst

Luca is a published first author on an interdisciplinary paper in Computer Science and Human Factors Psychology. She is a senior in Computer Science with plans to do a Master’s in Computer Science.

Adam Daif

Full Stack Developer & GIS Specialist

Adam is currently a full-stack web developer at Vivian Contracting LLC. In addition to CS, he is doing a Minor in Data Science and plans to pursue a Master’s in Computational Analytics.

References

Trashtag Reference Material

[1]“Volunteers Gather Over 16,000 Pounds of Trash from the San Marcos River.” Corridor News, 13 Apr. 2020, https://smcorridornews.com/volunteers-gather-over-16000-pounds-of-trash-from-the-san-marcos-river/

[2]Fawaz, Maya. “Hundreds of Volunteers will fan out on San Marcos waterways Saturday to clean up trash.” Kut News, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-03-03/hundreds-of-volunteers-will-fan-out-on-san-marcos-waterways-saturday-to-clean-up-trash

[3]“54th San Marcos River Rendezvous Clean Up.” Texas Rivers Protection Association, https://txrivers.org/texas-river-blog/54th-san-marcos-river-rendezvous-clean-up/. Accessed 23 Sept. 2025.

[4]Mendoza, Madalyn. “San Marcos River litter 2018.” My San Antonio, 31 May 2018, https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/slideshow/San-Marcos-River-litter-2018-181939.php

[5]Earth Day. “How Our Trash Impacts the Environment.” EarthDay.org, updated 22 Sept. 2025, www.earthday.org/how-our-trash-impacts-the-environment/.Accessed 30 Sept. 2025.

[6]thomas. “How Does Littering Affect the Environment?” Texas Disposal Systems, 1 Feb. 2024, https://www.texasdisposal.com/blog/the-real-cost-of-littering/.

[7]“On This 52nd Annual Earth Day, What Is the State of Litter in Virginia?” VPM, 22 Apr. 2022, https://www.vpm.org/news/2022-04-21/on-this-52nd-annual-earth-day-what-is-the-state-of-litter-in-virginia.

[8]“Cleaning Litter along Arkansas Roads Costs Millions in Taxpayer Money.” Thv11.Com, 28 Oct. 2021, https://www.thv11.com/article/news/education/arkansas/litter-costs-arkansas-taxpayers-millions/91-38fe040f-82c7-4698-a34a-d8cf7d77de34

[9]Garza, Ariana. “More than $40 Million Taxpayer Dollars Spent Annually on Texas Litter Cleanup.” KTXS, 25 Mar. 2014, https://ktxs.com/news/abilene/more-than-40-million-taxpayer-dollars-spent-annually-on-texas-litter-cleanup_20160517100457192.

[10]Picking up Litter: Pointless Exercise or Powerful Tool in the Battle to Beat Plastic Pollution?, 2018, www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/picking-litter-pointless-exercise-or-powerful-tool-battle-beat-plastic.

[11]Lara. “The Economics of Litter.” Keep Texas Beautiful, 10 Oct. 2024, ktb.org/ktb-blog/the-economics-of-litter/#:~:text=Infrastructure%20Impacts,million%20deficit%20in%20infrastructure%20investments.

[12]“How Litter Harms Humans, Animals, and the Environment.” Fire & Ice, https://indoortemp.com/resources/how-litter-harms-humans-animals-environment. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

[13]Campbell, Marnie L., et al. “Human Health Impacts from Litter on Beaches and Associated Perceptions: A Case Study of ‘Clean’ Tasmanian Beaches.” Ocean & Coastal Management, vol. 126, Jun. 2016, pp. 22–30. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2016.04.002

[14]Blouin, Lou. “The Psychology of Littering.” The Allegheny Front, 8 Jan. 2016, https://www.alleghenyfront.org/the-psychology-of-littering/.

[15]Litter in America Results from the Nation’s Largest Litter Study, www.hampton.gov/DocumentCenter/View/308/litter-factsheet-costs?bidId=. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

[16]How to Reduce Litter In Your Parks, https://www.miracle-recreation.com/blog/reduce-litter-in-parks/

[17]The Economics of Litter, https://ktb.org/ktb-blog/the-economics-of-litter/

[18]48,000 Pounds of Litter Removed Across Virginia on Clean the Bay Day, https://web.archive.org/web/20250622092145/https:/www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/2025/virginia/more-than-43000-pounds-of-litter-removed-across-virginia-on-clean-the-bay-day.html /

Glossary

Key Terms and their respective defintions

Illegal Dumping

The unauthorized disposal of trash and other hazardous materials onto private and or public property.

Metadata

Descriptive information within data files such as date, location, and timestamp data in photos to be submitted to Trashtag.

Geotagging

The addition of GPS coordinates to images that enable precise location identification where trash was reported.

Live Real-Time Updates

Live data synchronization displaying trash reports to both users and cleanup organizations instantaneously.

Gamification

The incorporation of game-like mechanics such as rankings to motivate user participation and skyrocket cleanup operations.