EcoTropa: an Interactive Kids Mobile App with Machine Learning for Transforming Young Minds Towards a Sustainable Future

Environmental conservation and waste management are urgent global concerns, with improper waste segregation and disposal contributing to pollution and harm to the environment. These challenges strengthened the need for immediate action with the focus of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12. This goal addressed the importance of sustainable consumption and production practices. This research aimed to promote sustainable waste management and environmental responsibility even at an early age. EcoTropa is an interactive mobile application aimed at engaging children ages 6 years old up to 12 years old in environmental responsibility. The project features a charming raccoon character that guides children to use the Artificial Intelligence(AI) Powered Waste Detection scanner with machine learning using mobile camera to categorize waste for sustainable solutions accurately. Additionally, the app features interactive quizzes that awards users with badges, story-driven adventures, and educational videos, making learning about the environment more fun and rewarding. Moreover, a survey was conducted to assess the project’s environmental sustainability and feasibility. As a result, all the key indicators were all highly rated. Overall, the project received high remarks, concluding that this study effectively met the needs of the target users.