A location-based application for smartphones and other devices with the intention of minimizing waste. This device will have the capability to tag loose articles of trash that are not going to be disposed of, and local associated private garbage businesses will pick up the trash and dispose of it properly. When a user encounters an article of trash, the closes worker will be pinged and can accept or deny the task of retrieving the trash, akin to the dynamic of users and workers on food delivery applications such as UberEats and DoorDash. Users will be compensated through a minute sum of credit, typically around 5-10 cents based on the location, however, users can opt into local promotions with businesses that may provide rewards for users who tag large amounts of trash.
The development of this application adheres to the criteria of group dynamics. The intention is to increase the quality of life in the communities that support this program, and for the citizens to be more mindful of disposal of trash. Over time, usage of the app may allow for less environmental harm and overall toxicity in certain societal needs such as water supplies. There will be implementations in the app to prevent fraudulent tagging for personal gain. If users are found to be intentionally disposing of trash in a harmful manner, (littering) they will be banned from the app indefinitely. Using the app in such a manner will undermine the communal benefits. Depending on the rural or urban settings that the app will be used, experiences will be relative.
Community reaction may be adversarial to the idea of this app being implemented into various communities based on political and economical affiliations. An argument may be made that there is an unfair increase of labor performed by garbage workers in this program, however, there will be an intended commission provided directly to workers, both union and non-union, that partake in this program. This is in addition to the funding that the companies are already receiving to support the program. This funding will be integrated on the federal level, however, states and towns are allowed to contribute if deemed appropriate. Federal funding will require the companies to be audited on a quarterly basis in order to ensure that the funding is being used properly, and this will be performed by government workers qualified under the inspection of similar businesses that receive federal funding.
The funding overall is extremely important to form a partnership with the privately run trash collection businesses. Since these companies are largely regional within the scope of the USA, they will need to all individually reach their own agreements with the state for funding. This can vary based on population density and how busy these companies already are, but there is a potential to create more positions within these companies due to an influx of labor induced by this apps release. If these companies do not accept implementation of this app into their community, there is alternatively a potential for allowing freelance workers to operate similarly to the aforementioned delivery apps, intended for workers to potentially take advantage of on a short-term basis for small part time profits, provided completely by the state, similar to the commission that the garbage workers themselves are getting.
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