In an effort to optimize the recycling process and promote the circular economy, students from the University Autónoma Sede Talca (Chile) have developed Recicleitor, an application that allows connecting three key actors in waste management:
– **Collaborating households**, who separate and deliver recyclable materials.
– **Messengers**, responsible for collecting the waste and taking it to valorization centers.
– **Recyclers**, in charge of transforming the materials into new products or sources of energy.
The goal of Recicleitor is to create an efficient and sustainable system that encourages proper waste management from households, facilitating traceability and positive environmental impact.
## How the platform will work
The app will have three access modules, depending on the user:
1. **Collaborating households** will be able to check the value of their waste and request collection.
2. **Messengers** will receive optimized routes to collect the waste and deliver it to recycling centers.
3. **Recyclers** will verify the type of material received and ensure its proper transformation.
This digital system will allow for a detailed record of the collected waste, classifying them by type (glass, plastic, cardboard, paper, metals). It will also issue electronic receipts to provide transparency in transactions.
## Development and expansion plan
In the second semester of 2024, Recicleitor SpA was formalized, the company that will manage the app and ensure its operability.
Key steps in the implementation include:
– **Launching the first prototype in 2025**, starting in Talca and surrounding areas.
– **Validation and adjustments** through pilot tests in the community.
– **Regional expansion** in a second phase, depending on the market response and strategic alliances.
The app design is inspired by successful cases like SGRecycle in Singapore, using artificial intelligence and dynamic pricing to optimize the service.
## Environmental impact and carbon footprint reduction
Recicleitor seeks to minimize the ecological impact through various strategies:
– **Route optimization** to reduce fuel consumption.
– **Use of sustainable vehicles**, such as electric bicycles.
– **Collaboration with recycling companies under environmental standards**.
– **User education** on proper separation and waste reduction in landfills.
The platform will allow for periodic evaluation of the service’s impact on waste management, generating detailed reports on recycling and emission reduction.
## Towards efficient and responsible recycling
To ensure the quality of the process, Recicleitor will require households to **properly sort and clean the waste**, promoting responsible separation practices at the source.
With this project, the developers aim to demonstrate that technology and education can transform waste management, generating a positive change in communities and bringing the circular economy closer to everyday life.
*Cover image: Vicente Martí*
