ZKP
2024,
ZKP (Central Public Waste Disposal System) is a centralized platform designed to streamline and coordinate the management of public waste infrastructure. It integrates real-time data from waste bins, collection points, and municipal services to optimize collection routes, monitor fill levels, and improve response times.
By using digital tools such as QR codes, smart sensors, and mobile reporting, ZKP enables citizens and waste management authorities to collaborate more efficiently — ensuring cleaner public spaces, reducing overflow incidents, and promoting sustainability in urban and rural areas.
Overview
Research & Findings
The project began with a thorough investigation into existing public waste management practices in both urban and rural settings. Through interviews with municipal workers, environmental experts, and local residents, as well as benchmarking against smart city initiatives in Europe, we identified several key issues:
Overflowing bins in high-traffic areas due to irregular collection
Lack of public feedback channels for reporting full or damaged bins
Low citizen engagement in waste separation or proper disposal
Limited use of technology in existing waste infrastructure
Data showed that while most cities had digital backend systems for logistics, very few had real-time feedback loops or citizen-facing tools. This gap informed our design direction.
Design Process
We approached the system design in three phases:
Concept Design & Value Mapping
Mapped out stakeholder needs (citizens, municipalities, service providers)
Developed core value: "Make waste visible, reportable, and manageable in real-time"
Prototyping & User Flow
Designed a user interface concept for mobile scanning (QR code → quick report form)
Created backend flow diagrams for automated data collection & smart routing
Visual & UX Design
Developed low-fidelity wireframes, tested in mock environments
Prioritized speed, clarity, and ease-of-use for mobile and public environments
Designed a modular bin marking system using durable, visible QR tags
Challenges
Low enthusiasm from public institutions: Despite clear benefits, early talks with city representatives revealed skepticism around funding, technical feasibility, and citizen adoption.
Digital literacy gap: Ensuring that the reporting process works for a wide range of users — from tourists to elderly residents — required simplifying interactions to the bare essentials.
Scalability vs. Simplicity: Balancing a system that could scale across cities while staying lightweight and cost-effective was a constant challenge.
Results
A working concept and visual prototype were developed and shared with multiple stakeholders
The QR-based bin system allowed for instant feedback, including damage reporting, fill status, and misuse alerts
Initial feedback from citizen testing showed strong interest in participating — especially when combined with gamification elements (e.g., rewards for reports, community stats)
Although implementation has not yet moved forward due to institutional hesitation, the groundwork has been laid for pilot testing in smaller municipalities or festivals/events.
Personal Learnings
Innovation in the public sector takes more than a good idea — it requires persistence, diplomacy, and timing.
User-centered design is not just about interface, but about fitting into social behavior patterns and trust structures.
Simplicity wins: The more seamless the experience (scan → tap → send), the higher the likelihood of adoption.
Even if a concept doesn't launch immediately, documented systems thinking and early prototypes can seed future opportunities.
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