COP 28: Social media platforms integrated with behavioural assessment tools can provide personalised feedback and incentives to encourage sustainable waste behaviours
The role of technological innovation in addressing climate change becomes especially crucial as we consider specific challenges within various global contexts.
For instance, in India, where there exists a highly informal waste collection ecosystem alongside low-quality segregation of waste at the generator level, technology can play a pivotal role in streamlining and improving this process.
Additionally, technologies can be leveraged to mitigate quality loss during waste treatment from collection to recycling, addressing the lack of visibility in feedstock availability for recyclers and establishing consistent quality material availability of recycled materials for brands at a large scale.
These challenges underscore the need for innovative technological solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of waste management systems, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of mitigating climate change.
As the global community convenes at COP 28 in Dubai, these challenges within various regions will necessitate targeted discussions and solutions leveraging technology to drive tangible progress towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.
1. Blockchain for Empowering Transparency and Accountability
Blockchain technology is getting much attention because its secure and transparent nature makes it valuable for ensuring trust and traceability in various processes across different sectors. With blockchain, we can make supply chains more transparent and reliable, especially when managing waste and recycling. Blockchain lets us record transactions securely that can't be changed.
Everyone involved can track where things come from and ensure they're dealt with properly. This helps stop illegal dumping and encourages everyone to be responsible about handling things throughout the supply chain.
2. Internet of Things (IoT) for Optimising Resource Utilisation
The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed how we interact with our surroundings, and its applications in climate solutions are no exception. IoT devices can collect real-time data on energy consumption, waste generation, and environmental conditions, providing valuable insights for efficient resource utilisation. For instance, smart sensors can monitor energy usage in buildings, identifying areas of inefficiency and enabling targeted interventions to reduce carbon emissions.
Similarly, IoT-enabled waste management systems can optimise collection routes, minimising fuel consumption and reducing the carbon footprint associated with waste transportation.
3. Harnessing AI for Sustainable Waste Solutions
AI-powered technologies play a significant role in accurately and efficiently identifying, sorting, and classifying solid waste. These technologies enable real-time monitoring of waste streams and facilitate tracking waste from its source to its disposal. Additionally, AI can analyse data from various sources, such as weather patterns, population growth, and consumption patterns, to predict and prevent waste accumulation.
Policymakers can use this information to take proactive measures to minimise waste production. As a next step, AI algorithms are employed to analyse extensive data from recycling companies, identify patterns, and develop effective recycling methods.
These technologies can enhance the user experience of brands, government agencies, and recyclers. Let’s now visualise how the waste management industry will look with the technology we’ve read above.
1. Digital Marketplace for Buying and Selling of Recyclables:
Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional methods to find buyers or sellers of recyclables. With the advent of innovative technology, the recycling industry is experiencing a significant shift towards a more sustainable and efficient future. By creating a digital marketplace for scrap, technology enables seamless connections between buyers and sellers of recyclables.
This innovative platform provides real-time information on the availability, types, and quantities of waste or recyclables for sale or purchase, along with the precise location of sellers and buyers.
Through this digital marketplace, buyers and sellers can negotiate prices and arrange for the transportation of materials with ease. The platform ensures transparency and efficiency by tracking transactions and providing traceability for high-quality waste materials. By leveraging technology, virtual marketplaces connect businesses needing waste materials with those who have them for sale, fostering an interconnected system that diverts waste from landfills and promotes its reuse.
2. Circularity Marketplace for Sourcing Recycled Materials for Manufacturing New Products
Presently, brands lack access to authentic and high-quality post-consumer recycled materials, impeding their ability to meet rising consumer demands for sustainable packaging and products with recycled content, thereby building a reputable and responsible brand image.
The major problems are not having access to trusted recycled materials, inconsistent quality and reliability, high costs and complicated procurement processes, and limited transparency and traceability. Against this backdrop, Circularity Marketplace will ensure end-to-end, digitally traceable transactions between brands and suppliers.
Brands that want to introduce their sustainable products and use a recycled packaging range can connect with recyclers, aggregating channels, material suppliers, recycled raw material providers, packaging producers, etc., on a large scale without compromising quality or compliance. They can further manufacture products for the environmentally conscious consumer.
3. Tracking the Waste Generated by organisations and Households
A Software as a Service (SaaS) solution can be designed to assist businesses in effectively managing their waste generation and disposal processes while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Similarly, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) can monitor household waste.
The platform can offer features that will help track waste movement from generation to disposal. This is achieved through SIM-based tracking and GPS integration, which helps prevent theft, spillage, and improper disposal.
By utilising SIM-based tracking, businesses and ULBs can monitor the movement of their waste, ensuring that it reaches the designated recycling facilities. This level of oversight can help prevent potential reputational damage and financial losses associated with illegal disposal practises.
4. Behavioural Assessment and Training
Technology, such as AI and data analytics, plays a crucial role in observing and analysing human behaviour patterns related to waste disposal, recycling, and consumption. By leveraging advanced sensors and monitoring systems, technology can track waste generation, segregation, and disposal practises in real time, providing valuable insights into behavioural trends and patterns.
Technology can also facilitate tailored behavioural training programmes through digital platforms and virtual simulations. These programmes will help educate and motivate individuals to adopt responsible waste management behaviours. Technology can enhance engagement and knowledge retention through interactive modules and gamified applications, contributing to positive behavioural change.
Furthermore, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies can offer immersive experiences for waste management training, allowing individuals to simulate waste sorting, recycling processes, and environmental impacts in a virtual environment. This hands-on approach can enhance learning outcomes and foster a deeper understanding of the consequences of unsustainable waste practises.
In addition, mobile applications and social media platforms integrated with behavioural assessment tools can provide personalised feedback and incentives to encourage sustainable waste behaviours. These tools will allow individuals to track their waste generation, set goals, and receive rewards for eco-friendly actions, fostering a sense of accountability and community engagement.
By leveraging technology and a holistic approach to proper waste management, we can create a circular economy that diverts waste from landfills and promotes reuse.
(Vikram Prabakar, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Recykal)