The problem RECYKLE solves

Existing mobile phone recycling processes often lack transparency and a tangible reward system, leading to reduced participation. Customers don't care much about recycling and nothing motivates them to do so.

Our solution should enable users to track the life-cycle of their recycled devices, provide assurance that their phone will not end up in an illegal waste yard, ensure data security, and provide an NFT on Flow, as a reward and testament to their responsible actions. By doing so, we aim to significantly increase the mobile phone recycling rate and promote responsible and sustainable recycling practices.
Solution:

1. User logs into the mobile app and selects the option to recycle their old phone.
2. The app then visually guides the user through the recycling process.
3. The user's phone is then received by a partnered retail store or sent to a certified recycling facility.
4. These entities use the Recykle app to scan and track the received phones, recording the data on the Origintrail blockchain.
5. The status of the phone is always updated on the blockchain, enabling users to track the phone's journey.
6. Once the process is complete, users receive a tamper-proof certificate of recycling, validating that their phone was recycled responsibly.
7. Following the recycling, the system issue the unique NFT on Flow blockchain to the user. This NFT is a symbolic representation of their recycled phone and serves as a token of their contribution to sustainable practices.
8. The user can view the lifecycle of their phone and their issued NFT on the app. They can also view the progress of their phone's recycling and its current status.
9. Reward points are credited to users for each phone they recycle. These can be redeemed for various incentives such as discounts on new phones or vouchers for online shopping.
10. Finally, an Analytics Portal displays detailed statistics about the recycling process, including the number of phones recycled, CO2 emissions saved, and more,

Challenges we ran into

Throughout the development of our recycling service, we faced several challenges which shaped our decision-making and required us to adapt our strategy.

Confidentiality and Data Security: One of the primary challenges was regarding data security. The project was initially done in a private repository, however, we realized that it had to be moved to a public one. During this process, we had to force push and erase some confidential data that included usernames and passwords to maintain the privacy and security of the involved parties. This transition required meticulous attention to detail to ensure that all sensitive information was adequately protected while transitioning to a more accessible and transparent platform.

Selection of Suitable Technology: Another significant challenge we faced was choosing the right technology for device tracking. After careful consideration, we decided to use OriginTrail due to its decentralized knowledge graph. OriginTrail allowed us to provide transparent and traceable life-cycles for each recycled mobile phone. However, integrating this technology with our existing infrastructure required a robust understanding of the technology and meticulous implementation. Furthermore, it was imperative that we strike a balance between the benefits of decentralized transparency and the need for user privacy.

We're persistently encountering challenges in performing multiple inserts into the blockchain. This is primarily because our requests lack a nonce. We're employing a JavaScript library for Origin Trail that's still in the process of development. Right now, it only accommodates a single request at any given moment. Importantly, it's necessary to complete one request fully before initiating another; otherwise, the subsequent request will fail. However, we anticipate that the library will be able to handle multiple requests concurrently once the nonce feature has been incorporated.