Recycle Me

Logo
Unity UI
Alexa UI
Alexa UI

Inspiration

Recycle Me was born out of a deep concern for the environment. Witnessing the growing waste crisis and the lack of accessible information on recycling and reusing, we were inspired to create a solution that empowers individuals to make sustainable choices in their daily lives. We realized that many people want to recycle and reuse items, but they often lack the knowledge or resources to do so effectively. With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Alexa and conversational AI platforms like Google Dialogflow, we saw an opportunity to bridge this gap. That's when Recycle Me was born. We believe that by providing easy access to recycling and reuse information, we can collectively make a positive impact on our planet.

What it Does

Recycle Me is your go-to eco-friendly assistant for easy recycling and reusing guidance. With the power of voice commands through Alexa or a user-friendly interface on Google Dialogflow, it provides instant answers on how to recycle or reuse a wide variety of items. Whether you're wondering what to do with that old electronics or how to repurpose everyday objects, Recycle Me has you covered. Our AI-powered solution is designed to make sustainable living simple and accessible for everyone, helping you reduce waste and minimize your environmental footprint.

An Example Conversation on Alexa Would Look Like:

Example 1 User: "Alexa, Recycle Me." Alexa: "Welcome to Recycle Me! You can ask me how to reuse or recycle anything! " User: "How do I recycle aluminum cans?" Alexa: "To properly recycle aluminum cans, rinse them out to remove any remaining contents and then place them in the recycling bin designated for metals."

Example 2 User: "Alexa, Recycle Me." Alexa: "Welcome to Recycle Me! You can ask me how to reuse or recycle anything! " User: "How can I reuse a jar?" Alexa: "Here are some ways to reuse a jar: 1. Use it as a vase for flowers or plants. 2. Create a DIY candle holder by placing a candle inside the jar. 3. Use it as a storage container for small items like buttons or screws. 4. Make a DIY snow globe by adding water, glitter, and small figurines to the jar. 5. Use it as a drinking glass or to store homemade juices, smoothies or sauces."

How We Built It

Recycle Me combines the capabilities of two popular platforms, Amazon Alexa and Google Dialogflow, to provide users with versatile access to recycling and reuse information. We leveraged Alexa Skills Kit and Dialogflow's Natural Language Understanding to build robust conversational interfaces. For the Dialogflow UI, we used the Unity 3D Engine to create an intuitive and visually appealing user experience.

The Alexa skill leveraged AWS Lambda for seamless voice interactions, while the Dialogflow UI provided a user-friendly web interface for those who preferred a visual experience. Our dedication to usability and accessibility guided the design and development process, making sure Recycle Me was intuitive for all users.

Challenges We Ran Into and Accomplishments That We're Proud Of

Building Recycle Me came with its share of challenges. Integrating two voice assistants, each with its own unique requirements, demanded careful planning and coding. Ensuring accurate and up-to-date recycling information was an ongoing challenge, as recycling guidelines can vary by location and change over time. Maintaining user engagement and continuously improving the user experience were also priorities that required constant attention.

Despite these challenges, we are proud to have developed Recycle Me as a tool that can contribute to a more sustainable future, one conversation at a time. We are excited to continue refining and expanding the project to make eco-conscious living accessible to all.

What We Learned

Throughout the development of Recycle Me, we learned the power of voice and conversational interfaces in making information readily available. We also discovered the importance of user experience and how it can influence the adoption of eco-friendly practices. Additionally, this project taught us valuable lessons in natural language processing and machine learning, enabling us to create a user-friendly and efficient system.

What's Next for Recycle Me

We have many ideas in mind for Recycle Me that are out-of-scope for the Hackathon but that we hope to include in the future. These include:

Expanded Database: We will continue to grow and refine our recycling and reusing database to cover even more items and provide even more accurate information.

Localization: Recycle Me could be accessible to users worldwide by expanding language support and tailoring advice to regional recycling guidelines.

Smart Home Integration: We could explore integration with smart home devices and appliances, making it even more convenient for users to incorporate sustainable practices into their daily routines.

Educational Resources: In addition to answering recycling questions, we aim to provide educational content on sustainability and waste reduction, empowering users with knowledge and inspiration.

Mobile App: We could implement a mobile app version of Recycle Me to ensure users can access eco-friendly tips and information on the go.

Conclusion

The future is bright for Recycle Me, and we're excited to continue our journey towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious world. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our environment, one recycling decision at a time.