MAULANA AZAD NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BHOPAL, INDIA, 462003
Department of Civil Engineering
Assignment of Fundamentals of Design
Project Title: Plastic Waste Management
Submitted By
Group Number- 15
2311101124- C1
2311101127- C1
2311101105- C1
ReVartan: A Design Thinking Approach to
Combat Plastic Waste through Community
Empowerment
1. Executive Summary
Plastic pollution is a major global issue, especially in
urban and rural communities. Despite various initiatives,
improper waste disposal and inefficient recycling
systems continue to burden ecosystems, health, and
local economies. ReVartan is a mobile application
designed with design thinking principles to address
this issue. It aims to make plastic waste management
accessible, efficient, and community-driven. Through
localized recycling maps, user engagement, and
incentivization, ReVartan empowers individuals to
actively participate in sustainable waste practices.
2. Problem Landscape
2.1. Global and Local Plastic Waste Statistics
Global Production: Over 400 million metric tons
of plastic produced annually.
Recycling Rate: Only 9% of global plastic waste is
recycled.
Plastic Overshoot Day 2024: Humanity's plastic
waste generation outpaced our ability to manage it
by September 5, 2024.
In India: More than 3.5 million metric tons/year
of plastic waste is uncollected or mismanaged,
leading to contaminated water bodies, health
hazards, and overburdened municipal systems.
2.2. Root Causes Identified
Lack of awareness about proper waste
segregation.
Poor accessibility to recycling centers.
Absence of incentives for proper waste disposal.
Minimal community involvement in sustainable
waste management.
Perception that waste disposal is someone else’s
responsibility.
3. Objective of ReVartan
ReVartan aims to address these issues through a
design-thinking approach by:
Making waste management accessible: Using
GPS-based recycling center locators and waste
sorting tools.
Engaging and rewarding users: With gamification
elements such as points and rewards.
Spreading education: Providing learning resources
about plastic’s lifecycle.
Building community-driven solutions:
Encouraging collective involvement in local waste
management practices.
4. The ReVartan Mobile App: A Deep Dive
4.1. App Architecture Overview
Module Description
User Profile Customizable profiles, language
preferences,
local recycling goals.
WasteIdentificati
AI-powered camera-based scanner to
on Engine identify
plastic type or manual icon-based
guidance.
Nearby GPS-based map showing nearby recycling
Centers Locatorcenters, NGOs, with operational hours
and accepted waste types.
Digital Wallet Tracks reward points, donations, and
redemption history.
Learning Hub Articles, videos, and infographics on
recycling and environmental
conservation.
Leaderboard Community
& competitions like monthly
Challenges clean-up drives, school participation
leaderboards.
4.2. Key Features Explained
1.Interactive Sorting Guide
o Users upload an image or select from icons.
o App guides whether the item is recyclable or not
with verified data.
2.Recycling Center Locator
o Identifies nearby recycling centers and partner
NGOs.
o Filters for specific types of waste and pickup
options.
3.Reward & Redemption System
o Users earn points for recycling, attending events,
or visiting centers.
o Points can be redeemed for eco-friendly
products, vouchers, or donations.
4.Community Engagement & Events
o Organize and track community events (clean-
ups, awareness drives).
o Users can share photos, participate in local
challenges, and earn badges.
5. Implementation Roadmap
Phase Duration Activities
Phase 1: 0–3 months Select 3 cities (1 urban, 1 semi-
Pilot Testing urban,
1 rural); onboard NGOs,
test app usability.
Phase 2: 3–6 months Gather user feedback, improve
Feedback app
Loop functionality, multilingual support.
Phase 3: 6–12 monthsCollaborate with municipal
Scale & authorities,
Integration CSR partners, and Swachh Bharat
Mission.
6. Target Users
Urban Residents (15–40 years): Tech-savvy
individuals aware of environmental issues but need a
push towards action.
School & College Students: Ideal for spreading
awareness and acting as ambassadors for
sustainable practices.
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs): Key
players in encouraging participation in local waste
management.
Municipal Workers & Waste Pickers: Mobile app
extensions to streamline their workflow.
NGOs & CSR Teams: To monitor data and impact
metrics.
7. Partnerships & Collaborations
Recyclers & Waste Processors: Partner with
organizations like GAIL, Ramky Enviro for recycling
infrastructure.
EdTech Platforms: Collaborate for educational
content and awareness campaigns.
E-commerce Companies: Reward partnerships for
eco-friendly products.
Government Initiatives: Partner with Swachh
Bharat Mission, AMRUT, NULM for larger reach.
8. Expected Outcomes
Metric Target within 1 year
Active Users 100,000+
Plastic Diverted from Landfills
1,000 tons
Partner Facilities Onboarded 500+
Community Events Conducted300+
Schools/Colleges Involved 200+
9. Long-Term Vision
Launch a lite version of the app for waste workers
with scanning and pickup systems.
Integrate with real-time waste tracking
dashboards at the local government level.
Promote green entrepreneurship through app-
based local solutions for waste management.
10. Empathy Map for ReVartan
User Type
Urban Residents (Tech-Savvy)
Says "I want to recycle, but it’s inconvenient." "There should be a
better system."
Thinks "Where do I even go to recycle?" "I could do more if I knew how."
Does Recycles when it’s easy; may discard waste improperly when it’s
inconvenient.
Feels Guilty for not doing more; frustrated by the lack of proper
facilities.
Pain Points
Difficulty in finding recycling centers.
Lack of knowledge on how to properly dispose of
waste.
Limited incentives for sustainable behaviors.
Needs
A simple, user-friendly app that provides clear
information and actionable steps.
Motivational rewards for recycling.
Community-based action for a larger impact.
11. Conclusion
ReVartan is more than just an app; it's a movement
grounded in design thinking principles, aimed at
creating a community-powered revolution in waste
management. By leveraging technology, incentivizing
positive behavior, and fostering awareness, ReVartan
empowers people to be proactive stewards of the
environment. The journey to a cleaner, greener planet
begins with ReVartan — a solution that’s as much about
people as it is about plastic.
12. References
1.World Economic Forum. (2020). "The Global
Plastic Waste Crisis". World Economic Forum
Website.
2.United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP). (2020). "The Role of Recycling in Plastic
Waste Management." UNEP Website.
3.India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). (2021).
"Plastic Waste Management in India: Issues and
Solutions." IBEF Website.
4.Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry
of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, India.
(2022). "Plastic Waste Management." CPCB Report.
5.Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). (2022). "The
Journey Towards Clean India." Swachh Bharat Mission
Website.
