This project was prepared to solve a local problem using Google technologies, in accordance with one or more of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Created by the United Nations in 2015, with support from all 193 United Nations Member States, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals aim to end poverty, ensure prosperity, and protect the planet.
Background: Luanda was already ranked as one of the dirtiest cities in Africa in 2019, according to World Health Organization (WHO), the amount of waste is still increasing day by day and this is harming the health of citizens. After conducting research, it was found that about 10% of the population rely on the sale of waste as a means of livelihood. Based on that, knowing that most this waste can be recycled, in order to contribute to the quality of life and stimulate the sale of waste in Luanda, as there are significant challenges in promoting the sale of recyclable materials, we decided to create "Recycle".
Problem: The problem is that there is a lack of awareness and access to appropriate waste management practices, resulting in low levels of recycling and the inadequate sale of recyclable waste in Angola. Specifically, the following issues have been identified:
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Lack of knowledge: Many people in Angola are unaware of the importance of recycling and the proper way to organize and dispose of recyclable waste. As a result, they often mix recyclable and non-recyclable waste, which makes it difficult for recyclers to sort and process the waste effectively.
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Inefficient collection: There is a lack of readily available locations containing recyclable waste, which makes it difficult for recyclers to collect and transport the waste efficiently. This leads to higher transportation costs and lower profitability for waste buyers.
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Inadequate waste collection points: Waste collection points are not easily accessible to waste buyers, making it challenging for them to purchase recyclable waste. This is particularly true in rural areas where the nearest collection point may be far away.
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Limited payment options: There are few safe and convenient payment options available for waste buyers, which can be a significant barrier to purchasing recyclable waste. This is particularly true for small-scale waste buyers who may not have access to traditional banking services.
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Lack of regular supply: Waste buyers often struggle to find a regular and predictable supply of recyclable waste, making it difficult for them to plan and maintain their business operations.
Objectives: To address these issues, the following specific objectives have been identified:
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Increase awareness and improve waste management practices by educating the public on the importance of recycling and the proper way to organize and dispose of recyclable waste.
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Identify and map locations containing recyclable waste to allow for more efficient collection and transportation.
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Inform the public about the main waste collection points and make them easily accessible to waste buyers.
Expected outcomes: By achieving these objectives, the sale of recyclable waste in Angola is expected to increase, leading to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society. In addition, the increased demand for recyclable waste is expected to create new economic opportunities for waste collectors and buyers, particularly small-scale businesses in rural areas. Furthermore, the improved waste management practices are expected to reduce environmental degradation and promote a cleaner and healthier environment for all Angolans.
- Increased Awareness: The app can be used to educate the public on the importance of recycling and the proper way to dispose of recyclable waste. This could lead to an increase in the amount of recyclable waste collected, as more people become aware of the environmental and economic benefits of recycling.
- Improved Waste Management: The app can help identify locations containing recyclable waste and inform the public about the nearest waste collection points. This could lead to a more efficient and organized waste management system, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and increasing the amount of recyclable waste that is collected and processed.
- Increased Sales: The app can enable payments by reference (MSEXPRESS) and allow for a monthly subscription service for waste buyers. This could increase the number of waste buyers, as it provides a convenient and secure payment method and a reliable supply of recyclable waste. This could lead to an increase in the sale of recyclable waste, creating new economic opportunities for waste collectors and buyers.
- Positive Environmental Impact: The increased collection and processing of recyclable waste could lead to a reduction in environmental degradation, including reduced pollution of rivers and seas and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. This could improve the overall health and well-being of the community.
- Job Creation: The increased demand for recyclable waste could lead to the creation of new jobs, particularly for waste collectors and buyers. This could contribute to the growth of the economy and provide new opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Overall, the "Recicle" mobile app has the potential to promote sustainable waste management practices, increase economic opportunities, and have a positive impact on the environment and community in Angola.
The "Recicle" mobile app project could potentially align with several of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but the most relevant one would be SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
SDG 12 aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, which includes reducing waste and increasing recycling rates. The "Recicle" app project directly addresses this goal by promoting sustainable waste management practices and providing a platform for users to buy and sell recyclable waste, thereby reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.
In addition to SDG 12, the "Recicle" app project could also align with other SDGs such as:
- SDG 13: Climate Action, as reducing waste and promoting recycling can contribute to mitigating climate change.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as promoting sustainable waste management practices can contribute to creating more sustainable and livable cities.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as the app could create new economic opportunities for waste collectors and recyclers.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as the app represents an innovative solution for sustainable waste management practices.
Overall, the "Recicle" mobile app project could align with several SDGs, but SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production is the most relevant one.
- Expansion to other cities and regions: After successful implementation in one city or region, the app could be expanded to other areas within Angola, allowing more people to participate in sustainable waste management practices.
- Integration with other waste management systems: The app could be integrated with existing waste management systems, such as municipal waste collection services, to provide a more comprehensive and efficient waste management solution.
- Collaboration with schools and community groups: The app could be used to educate students and community groups on sustainable waste management practices, creating a culture of recycling and responsible waste disposal.
- Integration with other sustainability initiatives: The app could be integrated with other sustainability initiatives, such as renewable energy or water conservation projects, to promote a holistic approach to environmental sustainability.
- Partnership with local businesses: The app could be partnered with local businesses, such as restaurants and hotels, to promote responsible waste disposal practices and encourage the adoption of sustainable business practices.
Overall, the future extensions of the "Recicle" mobile app could involve collaboration with various stakeholders, integration with other waste management systems and sustainability initiatives, and expansion to other regions within Angola. By taking these steps, the team could continue to promote sustainable waste management practices and have a broader impact on the environment and community in Angola.
- To boost the sale of recyclable waste in Angola.
- Educate users on the proper way to organize waste.
- Identify locations containing recyclable waste.
- Inform about the main (closest) waste collection points.
- Enable payments by reference (MSEXPRESS).
- Allow for a monthly subscription for waste buyers.
Google Solution Challenge 2023
A remarkable opportunity for students to showcase their innovation and creativity in building solutions that address real-world problems using technology, the Google Solution Challenge is an initiative organized by Google Developers and the Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC) program to encourage students from around the world to work in teams and solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time. The challenge provides a platform for students to showcase their technical skills, collaborate with their peers, and make a positive impact in their communities.
The Challenge invites students to form teams of up to four members and submit their project proposals, which should be innovative and address a social, economic, or environmental challenge. The proposals can be based on any of the Google technologies, including but not limited to, Cloud, Android, Flutter, TensorFlow, and Firebase.
Once the project proposals are submitted, a panel of judges will evaluate them based on criteria such as creativity, impact, feasibility, scalability, and technical implementation. The top ten teams will be selected as finalists and will receive mentoring from Google experts to develop their projects further.
Finally, the top three teams will be selected as winners, and they will receive prizes, including Google devices, vouchers, and most importantly, the recognition of their hard work and innovation.
The Google Solution Challenge 2023 is not just a competition; it's an opportunity for students to make a real difference in their communities and the world. It's a chance to bring their ideas to life and to contribute to building a better future through technology. Additionally, it's a chance to learn from industry experts, network with other students and professionals, and gain valuable skills that will benefit them in their careers.
In summary, It is highly recommend that students take part in the Google Solution Challenge 2023. It's an incredible opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity, learn from industry experts, and make a positive impact on the world. Let's celebrate and appreciate this initiative that will undoubtedly help in shaping a better future.
MIT License
Copyright (c) 2023, Énio Paulo & Alfredo Martins | Recicle - GDSC Solution Challenge 2023
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
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