myecoapp: Transforming Household Recycling with Technology, Games & Community Power

In a world where sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, finding innovative ways to help people recycle more – and recycle better – is crucial. That’s exactly what the myecoapp project set out to do.

Born from the SBRI Phase 2 competition, myecoapp has one core mission: to boost both the volume and quality of household recycling. This project tapped into cutting-edge technology and behavioural science to engage people where they already are – on their phones, online and at play.

From Vision to Reality

Phase 2 of the project marked the exciting shift from early-stage ideas to real-world testing. This included the development of a prototype AI-powered mobile app that does far more than just tell you which bin to use.

The app offers a range of innovative features:

Multi-item AI Scanner: Just snap a photo of your waste and the app uses image recognition to instantly tell you what can and can’t be recycled – based on your local authority’s specific rules. No more bin-day guesswork!

Ecoscore & Gamification: Each user earns a personalised ecoscore based on their recycling habits. Recycle more, unlock rewards, win challenges – it’s recycling made fun.

Voucher and Business Integration: Eco-friendly businesses can join the platform, offering vouchers and promotions as rewards for good recycling behaviour – turning sustainability into a win-win for consumers and companies.

Community and School Engagement: An Eco Curriculum has been developed for schools, including interactive, gamified learning experiences hosted on platforms like Roblox. Young minds are learning to protect the planet while they play.

Smart Speaker Integration: A feasibility study looked at connecting with Alexa, Siri and Google Gemini to allow households to ask recycling questions using just their voice – ideal for busy, hands-full moments in the kitchen.

Tech Meets Psychology

What sets myecoapp apart is how it blends technology with behavioural science. By using persuasive technology and game-like rewards, the app helps users form long-term recycling habits. This goes beyond just information – it’s about motivation.

During pilot testing, the app received enthusiastic responses from families, councils, and eco-conscious businesses alike. Testers found that it not only simplified recycling but also gave them more confidence to get it right. Businesses also saw potential in the voucher system as a fresh way to connect with sustainably-minded consumers.

Built to Grow

The project has laid a solid foundation for future development. With features like smart speaker integration and school engagement already in the pipeline, myecoapp isn’t just a one-off tool – it’s a scalable, future-ready platform.

While there’s still some polishing to do before a full-scale launch, the success of the MVP (Minimum Viable Product), positive user feedback, and strong commercial interest all point to a bright future.

Why It Matters

SBRI called for technology-driven solutions to tackle the recycling challenge – and myecoapp answered with innovation, creativity and real-world impact. It shows that with the right tools and a bit of fun, we can all become more sustainable, one scan at a time.

Recycling just got smarter, faster, and more rewarding.

Welcome to the future with myecoapp.