RecyLink: Innovating Recycling Management through Localized Drop-off Zones and Machine Learning Integration

Recycling and the effectiveness of recycling programs in the United States present an ongoing crisis, with a growing volume of recyclable waste ending up in landfills each year. Existing recycling programs often face challenges, either due to their inconvenience or complexities. RecyLink is an innovative application that addresses this issue by streamlining the management of existing programs, ultimately aiming to reduce the amount of recyclable waste. RecyLink achieves this by utilizing local schools as convenient drop-off zones where students and their family members can easily deposit plastic bottles. A machine learning model is employed to scan and count the bottles as they are dropped off, maintaining a continuous tally that can be monitored by local recycling centers. While the program is still in its early stages and hasn't undergone extensive testing, initial data indicates promising results. RecyLink demonstrates the ability to recognize plastic bottles, determine their quantity accurately, and log this information appropriately. In essence, RecyLink represents a promising beginning in addressing the recycling challenges in the United States, and its success may extend to a global scale.