GreenProof

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app dashboard

Inspiration

The global recycling crisis continues to worsen, with only about 9% of plastic waste being effectively recycled. We realized that while many people want to participate in recycling efforts, there's a lack of immediate incentives and transparency in the process. Blockchain technology offers a unique opportunity to address this gap by providing verifiable proof of recycling actions and tangible rewards. Our team was inspired to create GreenProof after noticing how disconnected people feel from the impact of their sustainability efforts.

What it does

GreenProof is a blockchain-powered platform that incentivizes and verifies recycling activities. Users can:

Scan product barcodes to verify recyclability and material composition
Submit photographic proof of their recycling activities
Earn points based on the environmental impact score of recycled items
Convert accumulated points into GreenTokens on the Solana blockchain
Track their sustainability impact through an intuitive dashboard Each recycling action is verified and permanently recorded, creating an immutable ledger of environmental contributions while rewarding users with real value for their efforts.

How we built it

Our solution combines several technologies:

Frontend: React with TypeScript, using Tailwind CSS for responsive design
Backend: Python Flask server for API endpoints and verification logic
Blockchain: Solana blockchain for token issuance and wallet management
Database: MongoDB for storing user data, recycling activities and points
WebGL: Three.js for creating an engaging interactive background
ZXing: Using a scanner library to obtain barcode numbers
Product Data: Open Food Facts API for retrieving product information and eco-scores
Authentication: Solana wallet-based authentication for secure user identity We implemented a two-stage reward system where users first earn points for verified recycling actions, which can later be converted to blockchain tokens, creating both immediate feedback and long-term value.

Challenges we ran into

Setting up servers and services needed for this project. Mainly Solana and Mongodb. Solana was a very new technology to most of the team and we lacked the proper hardware settings to work with it straight away.
Learning how to develop mobile applications
Managing API keys. Keys would be generated every time we made a change and were extremely difficult to locate when testing our application.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite the challenges, we achieved several milestones:

Built a complete end-to-end system connecting barcode scanning, image verification, and blockchain rewards
Created an intuitive user interface that makes sustainability tracking engaging and rewarding
Implemented a scalable points-to-token conversion system that incentivizes continued participation
Developed a WebGL background that visually represents the interconnected nature of sustainability efforts
Successfully integrated the Solana blockchain for secure and efficient token transactions

What we learned

This project taught us valuable lessons:

How to effectively bridge Web2 and Web3 technologies for real-world applications
How to develop simple Dart/Flutter applications for Android
The importance of user experience design in blockchain applications
Methods for verifying real-world actions through digital means
The potential of tokenization to drive behavioral change for social good

What's next for GreenProof

We have ambitious plans to expand GreenProof:

Integrate with mainstream mobile payment platforms for token redemption
Implement image recognition AI to further automate the verification process
Expand beyond product recycling to other sustainable actions like energy conservation and reduced water usage GreenProof aims to transform how people view recycling—from a civic duty to an engaging, rewarding activity that creates both environmental impact and personal value.