Verda

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  Cropped logo

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Inspiration

Did you know that billions of pounds of recyclable material are mis-sorted or not recovered every year? It's a staggering amount that highlights a major hurdle in our fight against climate change. We believe that empowering individuals with the right tools can make a monumental difference. That's why we created Verda—to transform confusion into clarity and enable everyone to be a part of the solution, right from their homes.

What it does

Verda uses an AI-guided camera scanner to identify what an item is and tells you exactly which bin to put it in, no matter what country you're in. Say goodbye to recycling guesswork! Beyond sorting, our platform features an AI-powered quiz that offers personalized guidance based on your responses, helping you understand more about sustainable practices. Plus, you can track your progress and see how you stack up against others with our quiz-based ranking system, making going green both easy and engaging.

How we built it

To be as efficient as possible, we used (and credited) publicly available datasets and machine-learning models to set up the AI-powered trash sorter. We then researched 20 countries' trash-sorting systems to give individualized guidance. We used Gemini's API to give customized guidance after users complete our interactive quizzes. The ranking system was developed using a robust Supabase backend to accurately track and display user progress.

Challenges we ran into

One of our biggest challenges was setting up the database to handle the vast amount of information required for waste identification and country-specific sorting rules. Recycling guidelines vary significantly by region, requiring extensive research and careful data structuring to ensure precise recommendations. We also had to design an intuitive user interface that makes complex sorting decisions simple and accessible for everyone.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're incredibly proud of Verda's smooth styling and intuitive UI/UX, which makes using the app a truly seamless experience. Getting the backend to work efficiently and reliably was also a significant accomplishment, ensuring our AI and data processing runs smoothly. We're also thrilled with the engaging and educational experience offered by our AI-powered quizzes, which go beyond simple sorting to foster a deeper understanding of sustainable living.

What we learned

Building Verda was a massive learning experience! We gained significant expertise in backend development, navigating complex data structures, and ensuring everything communicates flawlessly. We also honed our skills in version control, which was crucial for collaborative development. On the frontend, we dived deep into styling to create an appealing and user-friendly interface, embracing user-centered design principles throughout the process. Finally, we learned the intricacies of deployment on domains, bringing Verda to life online. Beyond the technical skills, we learned a lot more about the problem itself, such as the compelling statistics on waste and the diverse systems for sorting in different countries.

What's next for Verda

For Verda, we envision integrating with hardware, particularly the smart bins already being deployed in some countries, for a more seamless and automated experience. Our next major goal is to expand our database to include all countries worldwide, making Verda a truly global solution for waste sorting. We're excited to see how Verda can continue to empower individuals to make a tangible difference in waste management and sustainability.

Built With

• css
• gemini-api
• html
• next.js
• supabase
• tailwind