Beaches and Rivers Get Cleaned Up Thanks to the Marine Debris Tracker
Omar Yusuf — August 9, 2011 — Eco
References: marinedebris.engr.uga.edu & treehugger
By giving iPhone and Android owners an accessible, time-saving method of reporting garbage build-up near water, the Marine Debris Tracker has already helped clean up the mismanaged beaches and waterfronts of North America.
Armed with an appreciation for crowdsourcing and its potential, the University of George and NOAA launched the Marine Debris Tracker which, using your phone’s internal GPS, allows users to report large sites of improperly disposed trash. As expected, the eco-whistle-blowers who download the app are encouraged to recycle the junk themselves, if possible.
By parsing the accumulated data, not only will the Marine Debris Tracker determine where illicit garbage is typically dumped, but the developers have taken steps to install litter dumps there in co-operation with municipal officials. Moreover, the crowdsourced information may even provide insight on where the debris is coming from, so the problem can be remedied at its source!
Armed with an appreciation for crowdsourcing and its potential, the University of George and NOAA launched the Marine Debris Tracker which, using your phone’s internal GPS, allows users to report large sites of improperly disposed trash. As expected, the eco-whistle-blowers who download the app are encouraged to recycle the junk themselves, if possible.
By parsing the accumulated data, not only will the Marine Debris Tracker determine where illicit garbage is typically dumped, but the developers have taken steps to install litter dumps there in co-operation with municipal officials. Moreover, the crowdsourced information may even provide insight on where the debris is coming from, so the problem can be remedied at its source!
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourcing Cleanliness - Crowdsourced apps like the Marine Debris Tracker enable individuals to report and clean up garbage build-up near water, creating opportunities for community-driven initiatives to tackle environmental problems.
2. Gps-based Reporting - The use of GPS technology in apps like the Marine Debris Tracker allows users to accurately report the location of garbage, paving the way for targeted clean-up efforts and prevention strategies.
3. Data-driven Waste Management - By analyzing the accumulated data from apps like the Marine Debris Tracker, insights can be gained on where garbage is commonly dumped and measures can be taken to install litter dumps and address the source of the problem.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Services - The Environmental Services industry can leverage crowdsourced apps like the Marine Debris Tracker to enhance their waste management efforts, leading to more efficient and targeted clean-up operations.
2. Mobile App Development - Mobile app developers can tap into the rising demand for crowdsourced cleanliness apps by creating innovative solutions that encourage citizen participation in waste management and environmental conservation.
3. Municipal Waste Management - Municipal waste management agencies can collaborate with crowdsourcing initiatives like the Marine Debris Tracker to gather valuable data on waste hotspots, enabling them to better allocate resources and implement effective prevention strategies.
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