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Info
Wastend
A local-first waste sorting companion for navigating regional rules.
Date: Mar – Apr 2026
Duration: 4 weeks
Team: Solo
Local policy research & UI/Brand system (concept prototype)
Wastend
A local-first waste sorting companion for navigating regional rules.
Date: Mar – Apr 2026
Duration: 4 weeks
Team: Solo
UI/Branding
Wastend
A local-first waste sorting companion for navigating regional rules.
Date: Mar – Apr 2026
Duration: 4 weeks
Team: Solo
Local policy research & UI/Brand system (concept prototype)
Introduction—
Introduction
Most waste-sorting apps focus on scanning items and finding drop-off points. The harder problem is that sorting rules vary by region, and the same item can be classified differently across cities, which is frustrating for residents and especially confusing for newcomers and tourists.
Wastend reframes sorting as a local policy problem. It combines item identification, location-based guidance, and category search so users can quickly understand what to do in the place they are in, then optionally track progress to build consistency over time.
Most waste-sorting apps focus on scanning items and finding drop-off points. The harder problem is that sorting rules vary by region, and the same item can be classified differently across cities, which is frustrating for residents and especially confusing for newcomers and tourists.
Wastend reframes sorting as a local policy problem. It combines item identification, location-based guidance, and category search so users can quickly understand what to do in the place they are in, then optionally track progress to build consistency over time.
Cross-site Policy Comparison—
Cross-site Policy Comparison
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Waste rules are not portable. What counts as recyclable is often defined locally, so an item that is ‘correct’ in one place can be ‘wrong’ in another.
The comparison below maps three everyday items across five sites to make those differences explicit and to ground Wastend’s local-first design approach.
Waste rules are not portable. What counts as recyclable is often defined locally, so an item that is ‘correct’ in one place can be ‘wrong’ in another.
The comparison below maps three everyday items across five sites to make those differences explicit and to ground Wastend’s local-first design approach.
Environmental Protection Department. (n.d.). Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603). Hong Kong SAR. https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap603
Environmental Protection Department. (n.d.). Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354). Hong Kong SAR. https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap354
Environmental Protection Department. (n.d.). Enhanced Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme. Hong Kong SAR. https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/pro_responsibility/psb_the_charge.html
Ministry of Justice, Japan (Japanese Law Translation). (1970). Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning (Act No. 137 of 1970). Japan. https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/download/4529/09/s45Aa001370204en16.0_r4A68.pdf
Ministry of Justice, Japan (Japanese Law Translation). (1995). Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging (Act No. 112 of 1995). Japan. https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/download/3828/09/h07Aa001120201en14.0_h18A76.pdf
Ministry of Justice, Japan (Japanese Law Translation). (2000). Basic Act on Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (Act No. 110 of 2000). Japan. https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/download/3799/09/h12Aa001100501en14.0.pdf
Ministry of the Environment, Japan. (2022). Act on Promoting Resource Circulation for Plastics. Japan. https://plastic-circulation.env.go.jp/
Korea Legislation Research Institute. (n.d.). Wastes Control Act. Republic of Korea. https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawViewContent.do?hseq=46237
Korea Legislation Research Institute. (n.d.). Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources. Republic of Korea. https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_mobile/viewer.do?hseq=62551&type=part&key=39
Urban SDG Knowledge Platform. (n.d.). Volume Based Waste Fee (VBWF) System. Seoul, Republic of Korea. https://www.urbansdgplatform.org/profile/profile_caseView_detail.msc?from=list&no_case=669
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Extended Producer Responsibility. Denmark. https://eng.mst.dk/industry/waste/extended-producer-responsibility
Dansk Producentansvar. (n.d.). Packaging (producer responsibility). Denmark. https://producentansvar.dk/en/products-and-responsibility/packaging/
Vejle Municipality. (n.d.). Sorting instructions (en). Vejle, Denmark. https://www.vejle.dk/en/welcome-to-vejle/getting-started-in-vejle/waste-sorting/sorting-instructions-en/
City of Copenhagen. (n.d.). Recycling in Copenhagen. Copenhagen, Denmark. https://international.kk.dk/live/housing/recycling-in-copenhagen
Chambers and Partners. (2025). Environmental Law 2025: Denmark – Trends and Developments. Global Practice Guides. https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/environmental-law-2025/denmark/trends-and-developments/O23197
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket). (n.d.). Producer responsibility for packaging. Sweden. https://www.naturvardsverket.se/en/guidance/extended-producer-responsibility-epr/producer-responsibility-for-packaging/
Government Offices of Sweden. (2000). The Swedish Environmental Code (Ds 2000:61). Sweden. https://www.government.se/legal-documents/2000/08/ds-200061/
Reference
Key Features—
Key Features
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No.1
Nearby Recycling Centres
A map card on the Home screen highlights nearby recycling centres. Tap to open a full-screen map and explore more locations around you.
No.1
Nearby Recycling Centres
A map card on the Home screen highlights nearby recycling centres. Tap to open a full-screen map and explore more locations around you.
No.2
Scan to Identify and Learn
Scan identifies the item and surfaces a compact result sheet: name, CO₂ saved, and your running total. One tap adds it to your recycle bag.
No.2
Scan to Identify and Learn
Scan identifies the item and surfaces a compact result sheet: name, CO₂ saved, and your running total. One tap adds it to your recycle bag.
No.3
Recycle Bag and Personal Records
Add the scanned item to your Recycle Bag to track what you plan to recycle in this session, including item types, weight, and total CO₂ savings. From there, jump to Personal Records to review monthly and yearly volumes, plus your most visited recycling centres.
No.3
Recycle Bag and Personal Records
Add the scanned item to your Recycle Bag to track what you plan to recycle in this session, including item types, weight, and total CO₂ savings. From there, jump to Personal Records to review monthly and yearly volumes, plus your most visited recycling centres.
No.3
Recycle Bag and Personal Records
Add the scanned item to your Recycle Bag to track what you plan to recycle in this session, including item types, weight, and total CO₂ savings. From there, jump to Personal Records to review monthly and yearly volumes, plus your most visited recycling centres.
No.4
Manual Add (When Scan Isn’t Enough)
If the scan result feels inaccurate, Manual Add lets you log items by hand, like manual expense tracking. This provides a reliable fallback while keeping your records consistent.
No.4
Manual Add (When Scan Isn’t Enough)
If the scan result feels inaccurate, Manual Add lets you log items by hand, like manual expense tracking. This provides a reliable fallback while keeping your records consistent.
No.4
Manual Add (When Scan Isn’t Enough)
If the scan result feels inaccurate, Manual Add lets you log items by hand. This provides a reliable fallback while keeping your records consistent.
No.5
Local Policy Search
Search local sorting rules via the magnifying glass icon. Browse category cards and open a detailed page for your area’s guidance.
No.5
Local Policy Search
Search local sorting rules via the magnifying glass icon. Browse category cards and open a detailed page for your area’s guidance.
No.6
Apple Watch Snapshot
A lightweight Watch view lets you check progress at a glance. Swipe to see category totals and CO₂ savings (g) without opening the phone app.
No.6
Apple Watch Snapshot
A lightweight Watch view lets you check progress at a glance. Swipe to see category totals and CO₂ savings (g) without opening the phone app.
User Flow—
Key Features
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