In October 2023, we signed up to an exciting project with students from the school of School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics at the University of Plymouth for their module COMP2003.

The module gives the students the opportunity to work on a real life project whilst at the same time  offers to support clients like us in the development of their ideas for games, web applications, mobile applications and other software

Our proposal was to create an interactive and enjoyable experience comparable to the wildly successful ‘Pokémon Go’, wherein users explore their surroundings, discover recyclable items, and gain valuable insights about their recyclability and environmental impact. The idea of this app was based on a box that was donated to us. A local resident had put this box of ‘waste items’ together and turned it into a quiz-like game where one must decide where that typical item of waste is best placed and where there are possibilities to recycle such a product. Since this was an offline tool we felt it was not versatile enough to be widely used as an educational tool. Integrating this ‘quiz’ into an app would open many more data points to be explored. 

The proposed recycling game app will offer a captivating user experience by integrating AI technology to recognize various types of waste. Users will be able to point their smartphone camera at an object, and the app will instantly provide information about the material, the appropriate bin for disposal, and its associated carbon footprint. By gamifying the experience, we aim to:

Educate: Raise awareness about the importance of recycling and the impact of individual choices on the environment.

Engage: Encourage users, especially students, to actively participate in recycling efforts and make sustainable choices in their daily lives.

Reward: Provide incentives and rewards within the game to motivate users to recycle more and reduce waste.

Since the two groups could not be working on the same project we ended up revising our initial proposal. 

We split it into two different applications for precious plastics. The first application was for an app to be developed to recognise types of waste. Using Ai and machine learningIt will tell the user what to do with the scanned waste so it has the best chance of being recycled. We hope the students will be able to attach relevant data to this, for instance embedded carbon, recycling points, will it be usable by us, Precious Plastics? etc.

The second group would design a similar scanning app but the interface would be more like a game. Imagine Pokemon Go but instead of Pokemon characters you collect waste/rubbish. You then use the rubbish to build with it, like MineCraft.  The user group for this game would be younger but both apps would have education at its core and Ai as its backbone

The first few weeks of the project were set for research and fact finding. It was important the students had a good understanding of the wicked problem that recycling and waste is.

After submitting our expression of Interest we were invited to pitch for the group of students at Plymouth University.

Two groups of students were excited about our proposal and wanted to work with us.

The second phase is for app development. And the 3rd phase for finalisation

We can’t expect the students to develop a fully working app but for all parties involved it will be great to have a proof of concept that we can possibly build on in the future.

For this project we have also managed to establish really good connections with MVV, Biffa, and Plymouth City Council, the main players in the recycling arena in Plymouth at the moment.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank MVV and Biffa for accommodating us for site visits and providing us with some data. We hope that this collaboration will continue in the future.