Global Alert Helps People Monitor and Report Garbage for Cleanup
Laura McQuarrie — May 11, 2015 — Eco
References: oceanrecov.org & scmp
As part of an effort to cut down on the amount of plastic waste that ends up polluting waterways and big bodies of water, the Global Alert app was developed by the Ocean Recovery Alliance conservation group.
This app serves as a tool where civilians can help to map out garbage and alert the community that action needs to be taken. Most of the focus is put on floating plastic trash, which has a tendency to end up in the ocean. As a co-founder and managing director of the Ocean Recovery Alliance, Douglas Woodring notes: "You can think of a river as a blood vessel and the ocean as the heart. The trash is the cholesterol."
Beach-goers and hikers are the most likely to use the app, but anyone is encouraged to participate by uploading real-time smartphone data and photos to the database. As well as assisting volunteer clean-up crews, this also alerts government officials to larger issues surrounding waste management.
This app serves as a tool where civilians can help to map out garbage and alert the community that action needs to be taken. Most of the focus is put on floating plastic trash, which has a tendency to end up in the ocean. As a co-founder and managing director of the Ocean Recovery Alliance, Douglas Woodring notes: "You can think of a river as a blood vessel and the ocean as the heart. The trash is the cholesterol."
Beach-goers and hikers are the most likely to use the app, but anyone is encouraged to participate by uploading real-time smartphone data and photos to the database. As well as assisting volunteer clean-up crews, this also alerts government officials to larger issues surrounding waste management.
Trend Themes
1. Plastic Waste Monitoring - The trend of using apps to track and report plastic waste is disrupting traditional waste management systems and encouraging active community participation.
2. Citizen Activism - The trend of empowering citizens to take action against pollution by reporting and mapping out garbage is opening up opportunities for innovative solutions in waste management.
3. Real-time Data Collection - The trend of using real-time smartphone data and photos to monitor and report trash is revolutionizing the way we identify and address pollution hotspots.
Industry Implications
1. Waste Management - The waste management industry can leverage trash-tracking apps to improve monitoring and clean-up processes, leading to more efficient and sustainable waste management practices.
2. Smartphone App Development - The smartphone app development industry can capitalize on the growing demand for innovative solutions by creating user-friendly and feature-rich apps that enable individuals to report and track pollution.
3. Environmental Conservation - The environmental conservation industry can benefit from trash-tracking apps by utilizing the data collected to prioritize clean-up efforts and implement targeted strategies to reduce pollution.
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