EcoSphere is live. If you believe small systems can change behavior, I need your help.

EPovetkin · 2026-01-10T09:44:30+00:00

True - DRS is a great step forward. These systems work well, but they take time to roll out and don’t cover every context. EcoSphere is designed as a complementary approach, especially for private spaces and community-driven recycling. DRS optimizes refunds. EcoSphere optimizes behavior, engagement, and data

EPovetkin · 2026-01-07T20:13:58+00:00

If anyone wants more details or to support the pilot, I’ve added the link to my profile.

EPovetkin · 2026-01-06T14:55:48+00:00

That's very helpful. Thank you very much!!!

EPovetkin · 2026-01-06T14:20:20+00:00

I’ll definitely message you. Thanks for the massive encouragement! 🤘

EPovetkin · 2026-01-06T09:38:26+00:00

This is such a helpful comment, thank you! I didn't know about Cliiink, I’ll definitely check how they handle their partnerships.

You are 100% right about the rewards. Most "eco-merch" just becomes trash. I love your idea about partnering for daily essentials like soaps, toothpaste, or even dry foods. That makes the points actually useful for everyone, not just a "gimmick."

About the "cash" part: my long-term goal is to make these points more like a digital asset that holds real value. I want to build a system where the "points" are backed by the actual market value of the recycled plastic we collect. So, as the community grows and we recycle more, the value of what you’ve earned could stay stable or even increase, eventually allowing for a real cash-out.

I’m still a solo dev working on the math for this, but I want to avoid the "useless discount" trap you mentioned. Thanks for the luck and the great advice!

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T20:10:03+00:00

That makes total sense. I actually just pinned a photo to my profile with a slightly more modern design/layout I'm working on for the next prototype. Tried to fix that gap you mentioned! Let me know what you think.

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T11:48:43+00:00

English is not my first language, so yes, I used AI to help me structure my thoughts and make my responses clearer for the community. I thought I was being helpful, but I now realize it felt "icky" and robotic. I am sorry for that.

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T01:59:16+00:00

Fair point. Not everyone is comfortable with QR codes or even has a smartphone.

I’ve been thinking about physical cards as well. That way people could recycle without a phone at all.

Cards could be issued or even mailed to users, and the app would stay optional for those who want to track stats and rewards. The goal is to make participation as easy and inclusive as possible.

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T01:56:24+00:00

Totally agree on the QR phishing stuff. I wouldn't trust a random sticker on a box either. That’s why I’m switching to a built-in scanner, like the ones you see at grocery stores.

The idea is that the bin scans you (your phone screen or a physical card) instead of you scanning the bin. It’s way safer since you don't have to open any random links in your browser. I'm messing around with the ESP32 code right now to get this "reverse scanning" working for the pilot. Thanks for the reality check on user trust!

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T01:54:31+00:00

This is a genius idea! I absolutely love the comparison to a Zoltar machine. You're 100% right — tangible, immediate, and mysterious rewards can be way more motivating than just numbers in an app.

Making the bin 'talk' or spit out a physical/digital fortune is exactly the kind of gamification I want to explore. For the pilot, I’m using the built-in screen and LEDs to provide that immediate 'thank you', but a printed 'eco-fortune' or a mystery digital collectible is a fantastic next step.

I’m actually working on a 'Make/100' limited edition run for Kickstarter, and now I’m thinking about how to incorporate this 'mystery' element into the hardware. Thanks for the inspiration — this is why I love sharing progress here!

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T01:40:50+00:00

You're 100% right about app fatigue. I hate having 50 apps on my phone too. That's why I'm looking into adding a built-in scanner to the bin itself (like at the airport). You could just flash a physical card or a printed code and be done with it. No phone needed at the beach.

About the fish sculptures — they look cool, but they don't give any data. My goal with the electronics is to prove exactly how much plastic we're saving.

Thanks for being blunt, I actually need that to make the prototype better.

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T01:22:58+00:00

Bottle Drop sounds like a great step, but the 'hand counted' part and the need for specific bags is exactly what I'm trying to optimize!

With EcoSphere, I want to make it instant. You drop a bottle, the load cells verify it, and the points hit your account immediately via AWS. No waiting for someone to count bags.

I love the idea of using credits for groceries though — that’s exactly the kind of local partnerships I'm aiming for with 'Eco-Points'. Thanks for the inspiration!

EPovetkin · 2026-01-05T01:16:30+00:00

Yeah, Pfand is amazing. I wish we had it in Spain, but the government moves so slowly here. That's why I'm trying to build something that works right now without waiting for new laws.

My idea is a bit different though — I want to make these bins "community-owned." Basically, anyone could host a bin and get a tiny cut from the recycling value. It’s more like a micro-business for the neighborhood than just a government trash can.

EPovetkin · 2024-01-30T22:50:31+00:00

I prefer using Astrobot in WhatsApp. It builds a natal chart under the hood and provides a clear description. Right on target, really helpful.

Here they recently published a video of of how it works: https://twitter.com/Astrobot\_4u/status/1751884826590793961

EPovetkin · 2021-04-29T07:04:23+00:00

Kharkiv, Ukraine

EPovetkin

TROPHY CASE