Ecosankalan - Your Daily Habit
Ecosankalan is a platform where users can track their daily waste segregation and earn rewards
EcoSankalan: Turning Everyday Waste Decisions into Measurable Environmental Impact
An introduction to an AI-assisted, community-driven platform for more
responsible waste management.
responsible waste management.
Introduction: Small Actions, Visible Impact
Sustainable living is often discussed in terms of large policy changes
and industrial transformation. Those changes matter, but everyday
decisions matter too: separating waste, finding an appropriate recycling
point, participating in a local cleanup, and learning how different
materials should be handled. The challenge is that these actions can
feel disconnected. People may want to do the right thing but lack a
convenient way to record their efforts, understand their impact, or
discover opportunities in their neighbourhood.
and industrial transformation. Those changes matter, but everyday
decisions matter too: separating waste, finding an appropriate recycling
point, participating in a local cleanup, and learning how different
materials should be handled. The challenge is that these actions can
feel disconnected. People may want to do the right thing but lack a
convenient way to record their efforts, understand their impact, or
discover opportunities in their neighbourhood.
EcoSankalan is designed to connect those pieces. It is an
AI-assisted, hyperlocal waste-management platform that helps people log
waste, discover nearby collection points, participate in community
activities, and earn eco-points. Rather than treating waste disposal as
an isolated task, the platform brings together waste tracking,
environmental-impact insights, learning, community engagement, and
incentives in one web application.
AI-assisted, hyperlocal waste-management platform that helps people log
waste, discover nearby collection points, participate in community
activities, and earn eco-points. Rather than treating waste disposal as
an isolated task, the platform brings together waste tracking,
environmental-impact insights, learning, community engagement, and
incentives in one web application.
The project is available on GitHub:
Atishay-j-a-in/Ecosankalan .
Atishay-j-a-in/Ecosankalan .
This article explains how a user can explore EcoSankalan, what the main
features are intended to do, and how the application is structured
behind the scenes.
features are intended to do, and how the application is structured
behind the scenes.
What Is EcoSankalan?
EcoSankalan combines a React single-page application with an Express API
and a MongoDB database. Its central idea is straightforward: make
environmentally responsible actions easier to record, easier to
understand, and more engaging to repeat.
and a MongoDB database. Its central idea is straightforward: make
environmentally responsible actions easier to record, easier to
understand, and more engaging to repeat.
A typical user journey follows a simple loop:
- Record a waste item manually or submit an image for AI-assisted
classification. - Review the saved waste activity and the associated eco-points and
estimated carbon-dioxide savings. - Explore impact statistics, nearby recycling bins, community events,
and challenges. - Complete activities, track progress, and earn rewards.
- Use accumulated points to unlock available partner vouchers.
The platform also includes administration functionality for managing
resources such as collection bins, events, vouchers, and platform
statistics. This combination makes EcoSankalan more than a waste log: it
is a connected experience for individual action and community
participation.
resources such as collection bins, events, vouchers, and platform
statistics. This combination makes EcoSankalan more than a waste log: it
is a connected experience for individual action and community
participation.
Key Features
1. Waste Logging and History
The foundation of EcoSankalan is the ability to record waste-related
activity. Users can log waste by specifying details such as category,
quantity, unit, description, and the method used to record it. This
creates a personal history rather than leaving each action untracked.
activity. Users can log waste by specifying details such as category,
quantity, unit, description, and the method used to record it. This
creates a personal history rather than leaving each action untracked.
A waste history view helps users revisit previous entries. Pagination
and category filtering make it easier to navigate records as the history
grows. Instead of relying only on memory, a user can build a more
consistent picture of their waste-management habits over time.
and category filtering make it easier to navigate records as the history
grows. Instead of relying only on memory, a user can build a more
consistent picture of their waste-management habits over time.
For example, someone who regularly separates recyclable materials could
record those activities and later review their history. The goal is not
merely to collect data; it is to make progress visible and encourage
more informed habits.
record those activities and later review their history. The goal is not
merely to collect data; it is to make progress visible and encourage
more informed habits.
2. AI-Assisted Waste Image Analysis
Identifying waste correctly can be confusing, especially when an item
contains multiple materials or its category is not obvious. EcoSankalan
includes an AI-powered image-analysis workflow that uses OpenAI vision
models to help classify waste from an uploaded image.
contains multiple materials or its category is not obvious. EcoSankalan
includes an AI-powered image-analysis workflow that uses OpenAI vision
models to help classify waste from an uploaded image.
The user can submit an image through the application and review the
resulting scan experience. This feature is intended to reduce friction
in the logging process and make the app more approachable for people who
are unsure how to categorize an item.
resulting scan experience. This feature is intended to reduce friction
in the logging process and make the app more approachable for people who
are unsure how to categorize an item.
AI classification should be treated as assistance rather than an
infallible decision. Users should review the result and follow local
waste-management guidance when deciding how to dispose of an item.
Recycling rules can vary by location and collection provider.
infallible decision. Users should review the result and follow local
waste-management guidance when deciding how to dispose of an item.
Recycling rules can vary by location and collection provider.
3. Eco-Points and Environmental Impact
Recording an action becomes more motivating when users can see why it
matters. EcoSankalan connects waste logs with eco-points and estimated
CO₂ savings, giving users feedback about their activity.
matters. EcoSankalan connects waste logs with eco-points and estimated
CO₂ savings, giving users feedback about their activity.
The impact area includes statistics over weekly, monthly, and all-time
ranges. These views help users explore activity over different periods
rather than seeing only a single total. The point system also creates a
foundation for challenges and reward redemption.
ranges. These views help users explore activity over different periods
rather than seeing only a single total. The point system also creates a
foundation for challenges and reward redemption.
Environmental figures are estimates, not a direct measurement of every
real-world outcome. Their value is in helping users follow a consistent
record of activity and understand the intended environmental benefit of
their participation.
real-world outcome. Their value is in helping users follow a consistent
record of activity and understand the intended environmental benefit of
their participation.
4. Nearby Recycling-Bin Discovery
Waste-management options are local. A recycling point is useful only if
a person can find it and determine whether it is relevant to the
material they have.
a person can find it and determine whether it is relevant to the
material they have.
EcoSankalan includes nearby-bin discovery using geospatial queries in
MongoDB, with map-related functionality built around Leaflet and
OpenStreetMap/Overpass helpers. This supports a more location-aware
experience than a static list of collection points.
MongoDB, with map-related functionality built around Leaflet and
OpenStreetMap/Overpass helpers. This supports a more location-aware
experience than a static list of collection points.
A user can explore nearby options and use that information to plan where
to take suitable materials. As with any map-based directory, users
should check the details available in the app and confirm local
collection rules when necessary.
to take suitable materials. As with any map-based directory, users
should check the details available in the app and confirm local
collection rules when necessary.
5. Community Events and Participation
Sustainability is easier to sustain when people can participate
together. EcoSankalan includes community event listings, upcoming-event
discovery, and RSVP functionality.
together. EcoSankalan includes community event listings, upcoming-event
discovery, and RSVP functionality.
This gives users a place to find activities and express interest in
attending. Events can complement individual waste logging by creating
opportunities for collective action and local engagement. The platform's
administration features also support event management, helping keep
community activities organized.
attending. Events can complement individual waste logging by creating
opportunities for collective action and local engagement. The platform's
administration features also support event management, helping keep
community activities organized.
6. Challenges, Tasks, and Rewards
EcoSankalan includes weekly challenges with task-level progress tracking
and reward issuance. Challenges turn broad goals into smaller activities
that users can complete and follow over time.
and reward issuance. Challenges turn broad goals into smaller activities
that users can complete and follow over time.
For example, a challenge can be structured around specific tasks and
target counts. As users make progress, the application can track
completion and issue the configured rewards. This makes the experience
more interactive than simply recording a one-off action.
target counts. As users make progress, the application can track
completion and issue the configured rewards. This makes the experience
more interactive than simply recording a one-off action.
The application also includes quizzes and learning flows, extending
engagement beyond waste logging. Challenges and quizzes can encourage
users to learn about sustainability while giving them a clear next
action to take.
engagement beyond waste logging. Challenges and quizzes can encourage
users to learn about sustainability while giving them a clear next
action to take.
7. Partner Products and Vouchers
EcoSankalan connects participation with a rewards experience. Users can
browse partner products, follow external product links, explore voucher
inventory, view their voucher history, and unlock available vouchers
using points.
browse partner products, follow external product links, explore voucher
inventory, view their voucher history, and unlock available vouchers
using points.
This creates a practical incentive loop: users record activity and
participate in challenges, build up points, and can use eligible points
toward available rewards. The exact vouchers and redemption conditions
depend on the inventory configured for the platform.
participate in challenges, build up points, and can use eligible points
toward available rewards. The exact vouchers and redemption conditions
depend on the inventory configured for the platform.
How to Use EcoSankalan: A Suggested User Journey
If you are new to the platform, the following sequence is a practical
way to explore it.
way to explore it.
Step 1: Create an Account
Open the application and register with your email and password, or use
the available Google sign-in option. After signing in, explore your
dashboard and profile to understand where your activity and progress are
displayed.
the available Google sign-in option. After signing in, explore your
dashboard and profile to understand where your activity and progress are
displayed.
Step 2: Record Your First Waste Item
Open the waste-logging experience and enter the item's category,
quantity, unit, and any relevant description. If you want help
identifying the material, explore the AI scan workflow and upload an
image. Review the classification before relying on it.
quantity, unit, and any relevant description. If you want help
identifying the material, explore the AI scan workflow and upload an
image. Review the classification before relying on it.
Step 3: Review Your History and Impact
Visit the waste history and impact screens. Use the available filters
and time ranges to understand what you have recorded. Look at the
eco-points and estimated CO₂ savings associated with your activity.
and time ranges to understand what you have recorded. Look at the
eco-points and estimated CO₂ savings associated with your activity.
Step 4: Explore Local Collection Options
Open the map or nearby-bin experience to investigate collection points
around you. Use the available location information to plan your next
disposal or recycling trip, while checking any relevant local rules.
around you. Use the available location information to plan your next
disposal or recycling trip, while checking any relevant local rules.
Step 5: Join an Event or Challenge
Browse upcoming community events and RSVP when an activity interests
you. Explore weekly challenges, review their tasks and target counts,
and work through them over time. You can also explore the learning and
quiz flows to discover additional ways to participate.
you. Explore weekly challenges, review their tasks and target counts,
and work through them over time. You can also explore the learning and
quiz flows to discover additional ways to participate.
Step 6: Explore Points, Products, and Vouchers
As you earn points through supported activities, review the available
reward options. Browse partner products and vouchers, and check the
conditions for unlocking any reward that interests you.
reward options. Browse partner products and vouchers, and check the
conditions for unlocking any reward that interests you.
Step 7: Return and Build a Habit
EcoSankalan is most useful when it becomes part of a routine. Record
activity consistently, revisit your impact statistics, and look for
relevant challenges or events. Over time, your history can help you
reflect on the actions you have taken and the areas where you want to
improve.
activity consistently, revisit your impact statistics, and look for
relevant challenges or events. Over time, your history can help you
reflect on the actions you have taken and the areas where you want to
improve.
High-Level Architecture: How the Application Works
EcoSankalan uses a modular client-server architecture. The frontend is
responsible for the user experience, the backend exposes API endpoints
and coordinates business logic, and MongoDB stores application data.
responsible for the user experience, the backend exposes API endpoints
and coordinates business logic, and MongoDB stores application data.
Frontend: React and Vite
The frontend is a React single-page application built with Vite.
Route-level pages represent areas such as authentication, dashboard,
waste logging, impact, shop, community, profile, quizzes, AI scan
results, waste history, challenges, events, vouchers, and
administration.
Route-level pages represent areas such as authentication, dashboard,
waste logging, impact, shop, community, profile, quizzes, AI scan
results, waste history, challenges, events, vouchers, and
administration.
Shared components provide reusable interface elements, while React
Router manages navigation. Context and hooks support shared application
state and reusable behavior. An Axios-based API client in
backend.
Router manages navigation. Context and hooks support shared application
state and reusable behavior. An Axios-based API client in
frontend/src/services/api.js centralizes HTTP communication with the
backend.
This separation lets individual screens focus on presenting information
and handling user interaction while shared services handle requests to
the API.
and handling user interaction while shared services handle requests to
the API.
Backend: Node.js and Express
The backend is built with Node.js and Express. Its application setup
lives in
variables, connects to MongoDB, starts the HTTP server, and handles
graceful shutdown.
lives in
src/app.js, while src/server.js loads environment
variables, connects to MongoDB, starts the HTTP server, and handles
graceful shutdown.
Routes define the available API endpoints. Controllers coordinate
request-level workflows, middleware handles concerns such as
authentication, role-based access control, validation, uploads, and
error handling, and services hold reusable business logic. This modular
structure makes the codebase easier to navigate than placing every
responsibility in one large file.
request-level workflows, middleware handles concerns such as
authentication, role-based access control, validation, uploads, and
error handling, and services hold reusable business logic. This modular
structure makes the codebase easier to navigate than placing every
responsibility in one large file.
The request flow is broadly:
- The browser sends an HTTP request to the Express API.
- Middleware applies the relevant cross-cutting checks, such as rate
limiting and authentication. - The route dispatches the request to a controller.
- The controller and service layer execute the required business
logic. - Mongoose reads or updates the relevant MongoDB documents.
- The API returns a JSON response to the frontend.
Public authentication routes are handled separately from protected
routes. For protected operations, JWT middleware identifies the user,
and role-based authorization is applied where required.
routes. For protected operations, JWT middleware identifies the user,
and role-based authorization is applied where required.
Database: MongoDB and Mongoose
MongoDB stores the application's main records, with Mongoose defining
models and supporting database operations. The data model includes
users, waste logs, bins, events, challenges, challenge progress,
products, vouchers, orders, and related records.
models and supporting database operations. The data model includes
users, waste logs, bins, events, challenges, challenge progress,
products, vouchers, orders, and related records.
These relationships connect the user journey. Waste logs support
personal history and impact statistics; challenge progress links a user
to a challenge; bin records support location-based discovery; and
voucher and order records support the rewards and shopping workflows.
Geospatial queries help retrieve nearby bins.
personal history and impact statistics; challenge progress links a user
to a challenge; bin records support location-based discovery; and
voucher and order records support the rewards and shopping workflows.
Geospatial queries help retrieve nearby bins.
External Integrations
Several integrations extend the core application:
- OpenAI vision models support image-based waste analysis.
- Google sign-in supports account authentication through Google
ID-token verification. - Cloudinary can be used for media storage workflows.
- Leaflet, OpenStreetMap, and Overpass helpers support map and
location-related experiences.
These integrations are connected through the relevant frontend and
backend workflows, rather than being responsible for the entire
application themselves.
backend workflows, rather than being responsible for the entire
application themselves.
Security and Operational Structure
The backend includes security and operational middleware such as Helmet,
CORS configuration, request parsing, compression, logging, rate
limiting, and centralized error handling. Authentication and role-based
access control help restrict protected operations. Environment variables
are used for configuration, and the repository includes an
to be supplied.
CORS configuration, request parsing, compression, logging, rate
limiting, and centralized error handling. Authentication and role-based
access control help restrict protected operations. Environment variables
are used for configuration, and the repository includes an
.env.example template so developers can understand which settings need
to be supplied.
The project also includes a test suite built with Jest and Supertest.
Keeping route handling, business logic, data models, and configuration
in separate modules supports maintainability and makes individual parts
easier to test.
Keeping route handling, business logic, data models, and configuration
in separate modules supports maintainability and makes individual parts
easier to test.
Why This Architecture Matters
The modular structure supports the product's different workflows without
forcing them into one tightly coupled component. The frontend can evolve
its pages and shared UI independently of the backend's internal
organization, while the API provides a clear boundary between client
interactions and data operations.
forcing them into one tightly coupled component. The frontend can evolve
its pages and shared UI independently of the backend's internal
organization, while the API provides a clear boundary between client
interactions and data operations.
It also leaves room for incremental development. A new challenge-related
workflow can reuse authentication, models, and reward logic; an
additional impact view can build on existing waste records and
statistics; and new community experiences can use the established API
and component structure.
workflow can reuse authentication, models, and reward logic; an
additional impact view can build on existing waste records and
statistics; and new community experiences can use the established API
and component structure.
Architecture alone does not guarantee scalability or reliability, but
clear boundaries make it easier to test, maintain, and extend a growing
application.
clear boundaries make it easier to test, maintain, and extend a growing
application.
Conclusion: Make Sustainable Actions Easier to Track and Repeat
EcoSankalan brings together several parts of a sustainability journey:
logging waste, using AI-assisted classification, finding nearby
collection points, tracking impact, participating in community events,
completing challenges, learning through quizzes, and exploring
points-based rewards.
logging waste, using AI-assisted classification, finding nearby
collection points, tracking impact, participating in community events,
completing challenges, learning through quizzes, and exploring
points-based rewards.
Its central value proposition is connection. A waste log becomes part of
a personal history. That history contributes to an impact view.
Challenges create a reason to return. Community features help users
discover ways to participate with others. Rewards provide an additional
incentive to keep going.
a personal history. That history contributes to an impact view.
Challenges create a reason to return. Community features help users
discover ways to participate with others. Rewards provide an additional
incentive to keep going.
If you want to explore the implementation, contribute ideas, or follow
the project's development, visit the repository:
the project's development, visit the repository:
If you are using the deployed application, start by creating an account,
recording an activity, and exploring the impact, map, community,
challenge, and reward experiences available to you. The most meaningful
progress comes from turning small, repeatable actions into lasting
habits.
recording an activity, and exploring the impact, map, community,
challenge, and reward experiences available to you. The most meaningful
progress comes from turning small, repeatable actions into lasting
habits.
EcoSankalan aims to make responsible waste management more visible,
accessible, and engaging---one recorded action at a time.
accessible, and engaging---one recorded action at a time.
Enjoyed reading this content? Let the author know!
Your likes, comments, shares, and saves help creators reach more builders.
Loading recommendations
Loading article