Project Overview
Project Summary:
EcoSteward is an innovative collaborative platform that aims to transform urban waste
management by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and
mobile technology. The system tackles significant environmental challenges by improving
waste collection processes, increasing community involvement, and promoting sustainable
practices.
The platform uses AI-driven waste recognition powered by YOLO, enabling users to upload
waste images for identification and receive proper disposal instructions. A Geographic
Information System (GIS) mapping tool provides real-time visualizations of waste conditions,
and optimized collection routes help minimize operational costs and reduce carbon
emissions. Furthermore, EcoSteward equips environmental managers with real-time data
and automated alerts about abnormal waste situations, enabling more efficient decisionmaking and resource allocation. The system connects technology with community action
through a blockchain-verified rewards mechanism and offers round-the-clock AI chatbot
assistance and a community platform for exchanging reusable items.
Identifying the Challenge
The Social Problem:
Environmental pollution is an urgent crisis, largely driven by poor waste management.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to around 7
million premature deaths each year, and 8 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the
oceans annually. Traditional waste management systems have three primary flaws:
inefficiency, low recycling rates, and limited community participation. Waste collection
systems are often fixed, leading to significant resource waste, even though optimized routes
could reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 40%. Globally, only 13.5% of waste
is recycled, and 33% is disposed of through open dumping. With increasing urban
populations, the volume of municipal waste in low-income nations is expected to grow from
158 million to 480 million tons annually by 2025.
Innovation and Uniqueness
Why Our Project Stands Out:
EcoSteward stands apart from traditional waste management systems through its
integration of advanced technologies and community-driven approaches. Unlike systems
that operate without engaging citizens, EcoSteward creates a collaborative ecosystem
where technology enhances human effort.
The platform’s main innovation is the AI-powered Waste Intelligence Portal, which utilizes
YOLO technology for accurate waste classification, guiding users on proper disposal
methods. Our GeoWaste Visualization tool uses GIS technology to produce real-time maps
of waste conditions, and our blockchain-based reward system promotes transparency in
recognizing environmental contributions. The platform includes an intuitive dashboard for
environmental managers, offering analytics, priority alerts, and automated compliance
reports, all seamlessly integrated into a unified system. Additionally, the AI chatbot provides
up-to-date waste management advice drawn from reputable sources such as the WHO and
EPA, creating a feedback loop where technology helps humans make better decisions, and
human participation enriches the system’s data for continuous improvement.
Insights and Development
Learning Journey:
Throughout the development of EcoSteward, we acquired valuable insights:
• The ongoing waste management challenges in developed cities worldwide include
low recycling rates and ineffective collection systems.
• Real-life waste issues, sorting techniques, environmental effects, and the crucial
role of human behavior in generating and addressing waste problems.
• The significance of thorough problem analysis, combining various data sources like
WHO guidelines, EPA standards, and community input.
• Integrating various technologies (AI for waste detection, GIS for mapping,
blockchain for validation) into a unified system is difficult.
• The importance of teamwork and collaboration among team members.
Development Process:
The project involved overcoming the challenge of integrating several advanced technologies,
including AI for waste recognition, GIS for mapping, and blockchain for verification, along
with designing an intuitive user interface for a broad range of users. We approached this by
dividing the project into functional modules and creating early prototypes for user testing.
Feedback from environmental managers and community groups played a crucial role in
refining the design, improving the user experience, and optimizing the system’s data flow.
