The blockchain to support the environment & recycling
new policies and mechanisms for recycling in "smart cities" & the "smart world"
At the moment only developed countries have enacted recycling policies, while the rest of the world unfortunately has inadequate systems. . . . . .
Waste and Environmental Pollution
Every year 3.5 trillion plastic products are put on the market, which contribute to environmental pollution: in fact, almost 2.2 billion tons of plastic ends up in the world’s rivers and seas! Just think that 90.5% of the plastic produced has never been recycled, and it is estimated that by 2050 the world will have around 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste.
Without clear visibility and traceability of plastic production and recycling it is, and will be, impossible to control pollution not only on an international scale, but also simply on a local scale. Traceability and accountability policies and procedures are therefore needed to create awareness among the population, both of the situation and of the progress made.
In a context where waste management has reached critical situations, new technologies must be used to create change.
The blockchain has emerged as a solution to trace and make data unchangeable and unalterable, and to enforce policies, monitor funds and donations, providing an efficient and transparent reward system.
In the following paragraphs I will outline some of the most significant initiatives in this area.
Rewarding Money Laundering
Globally, 1.3 billion tonnes of waste is produced annually and is expected to continue to increase.
Unfortunately, at the moment only developed countries have developed recycling policies, while the rest of the world unfortunately has inadequate systems, or chooses the path of indifference or starvation and avoids making decisions in that direction.
In order to encourage recycling by using blockchain, models and initiatives can be developed that through the tracking of “recycle” reward participants, thus giving a tangible value to the plastic material and/or recycling activity.
The ability to implement these initiatives, especially in countries with deep socio-economic inequalities, could provide a strong incentive to recycle waste through a reliable and easily accessible means of income.
However, one should never lower one’s guard: the environment (like many other non-profit initiatives) is often used as a breeding ground for fraud, often using funds illegally. The blockchain ensures transparency for donors through the correct use of funds.
Some examples of projects
Some tangible examples of these projects are:
• Agora Tech Lab:
aims to help cities, to create participatory waste management frameworks. Using our state-of-the-art technology, city dwellers can easily be compensated for their contribution to society in exchange for a local token that can be exchanged for government services;
• Plastic Bank:
a company offers incentives for recycling and collection of plastics through the blockchain by giving Plastic Bank Digital Tokens participants;
• Litterati:
an application that allows the user to share geolocalized images of waste. In addition, through labelling describing what kind of waste they are, their artificial intelligence system continues to be implemented. Although there is no reward system, users can invite or challenge others. It is an interactive way to motivate collaboration and help keep the neighbourhood, street, school or city clean. Reportedly, the use of the app has caused public institutions to move from plastic to paper packaging;
• Empower:
a Norwegian start-up that uses a blockchain-based system to value plastic waste. It is proposed to track and make digital inventories to ensure that most of it is reused or recycled. Through collection points around the world, financial rewards are given in exchange for a plastic deposit, which is then digitally recorded. They are currently available in 15 countries;
• GiveTrack:
strives to provide transparent, real-time reporting on fundraising numbers and targets. Created in 2015, GiveTrack is BitGive’s flagship project: its mission is to leverage blockchain technology to revolutionize philanthropy;
• Circularise:
a Dutch start-up that monitors recycling, in an industry that goes beyond donations, but still requires responsibility. Its creators have designed a block chain solution that provides an accurate price for recycled material and indicates the number of times a product has gone through the recycling process before. For example, they can inform brands using recycled fabrics and plastics about the content they need to use, providing transparency in the supply chain and encouraging companies to adopt a circular economy;
• WePower:
has worked with governments to use blockchain for energy savings. The blockchain can also be used to monitor emissions and provide a trusted framework for treaties and law enforcement. In addition, it can provide visibility to financial investors, encourage responsibility in waste management and stimulate micro and macro-scale projects. This company is operational in Estonia.
In conclusion:
Can the blockchain be the key tool in the fight to save the environment?
The ability to track waste and the transparent management of all processes, from financing to waste logistics, and the way in which waste is disposed of and recycled, is one of the main ways to bring about a cultural change towards more environmentally friendly societies around the world. As we have just seen, the use of blockchain technology can be cross-cutting, from tracking waste disposal habits, promoting recycling practices with reward systems, to creating plastic identification. The goal is to implement local and global initiatives that together can make a difference. New technologies deliver on promises in the environmental sector, but they must be accompanied by consumer behaviour and changes in the economic business model.