Project Description

Problem Statement

Independent organizations and local governments struggle to efficiently locate and remove litter in outdoor recreational areas such as parks, rivers, lakes, and beaches. Without knowing locations and characteristics of waste items, volunteer efforts can be left unprepared and ineffective. Communities lack a live reporting system to connect citizens with organizations capable of safe and efficient waste removal efforts.

Problem characteristics

Resources

• Organizations struggle to track illegal dumping.
• Items too much for individuals.
• Users and Litterers alike may or may not have adequate knowledge of proper disposal options.

Communications

• Users don’t know who to contact regarding trash.
• Users lack tools focused on organizing cleanup efforts.
• User reports come in one at a time and require coordination within cleanup organizations to increase efficiency.

Convenience

• Users can’t communicate in the moment when they see the trash.
• They’ve forgotten by the time they return home.
• Litterers often dump out of convenience on private or public property

Complexity

• Users reach out to orgs via email/social media which may get lost or go unnoticed.
• Thus, users contact multiple orgs at a time to ensure attention.

Solution Statement

TrashTag aims to improve the litter and waste cleanup process by developing a mobile application where users can photograph and report piles of waste, give their exact locations, and connect with cleanup groups that are well-equipped to handle the cleanup process in order to improve environmental wellbeing and preserve nature’s beauty for the public eye. We are committed to helping the environment and the public by providing a resource that clearly highlights the location, extent, type and weight of the waste as well as provides updates regarding existing cleanup efforts, dangers and geographic littering patterns to help cleanup crews allocate their time and resources more effectively.

Solution characteristics

Live Reporting and Mapping

• Users snap a picture of the litter and geotag it in the app for it to be uploaded to an interactive map.
• This allows organizations to properly allocate time, resources, staff, and funding.

Litter Report System

• The images provide users with a visual understanding of the problem.
• This allows them to prepare resources for proper clean up.

"Litter Hero!"

• A reward system for users who successfully clear litter locations from the map.
• This allows users track their progress and notice measurable impact.

Close the Loop

• When users are near reported trash they receive a request to verify the trash is still there or if its been previously cleared.