Overview
Recicleo is a modern web application designed to make Romania’s SGR (Single Use Packaging Guarantee Return System) more accessible and convenient for everyone. Built with the idea of connecting citizens with recycling in a simple, user-friendly way, Recicleo offers on-demand bottle collection directly from your location.
Our goal: turn bottle recycling into an effortless, rewarding, and environmentally impactful habit.
How the Idea Was Born
The inspiration for Recicleo came while observing the early rollout of the Romanian SGR program.
While the system made bottle recycling possible, it still required people to physically transport their bottles to collection points — a process many found inconvenient, especially in urban environments.
We asked ourselves:
- What if we could remove the need to travel?
- What if we could make recycling just as easy as ordering food or calling a ride?
- How could we use technology to encourage more people to participate?
The answer became Recicleo: a digital facilitator for urban recycling.
Our Plan
From the start, our plan was to:
- Simplify access to SGR returns — through a web app and mobile-friendly interface.
- Provide real-time collection scheduling — where users can choose a pickup time and location.
- Offer clear financial incentives — users get paid per bottle collected, instantly visible in the app.
- Support B2B and B2C use cases — from individual households to restaurants, bars, and small businesses.
- Track environmental impact — showing each user how many bottles they’ve recycled and CO₂ saved.
What We Built
Recicleo’s first version includes:
- Web app interface for scheduling pickups, managing user profiles, and tracking rewards.
- Order management dashboard for operators to assign and monitor collection jobs.
- Secure payment system to process bottle refunds to users.
- Responsive design so it works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Eco-impact tracker to motivate and gamify recycling.
How Recicleo Solves the Problem
Before Recicleo, people had to:
- Find a nearby RVM (Reverse Vending Machine) or store.
- Carry heavy bags of bottles.
- Wait in queues and manually process returns.
With Recicleo:
- A collector comes to you — no travel needed.
- You see exactly how much you’ll earn before pickup.
- Businesses can schedule regular pickups without interrupting operations.
- Recycling becomes quick, effortless, and rewarding.
In short, we’ve transformed a chore into a convenient, tech-powered service.
Technology Stack
- Frontend: Vue.js + Vuetify for a smooth, responsive UI.
- Backend: NestJS for scalable and secure APIs.
- Database: PostgreSQL for reliable data management.
- Hosting & Deployment: Dockerized setup for fast, repeatable deployments.
Project Gallery
Colector App
Admin App
Website
Impact & Next Steps
Recicleo is more than an app — it’s part of a larger mission to make recycling in Romania more efficient and widespread.
In the next development phases, we plan to:
- Launch a native mobile app (iOS & Android)
- Add GPS tracking for collectors
- Expand service coverage to more Romanian cities
- Integrate with government SGR reporting tools
Final Thoughts
Recicleo demonstrates how technology + sustainability can create real-world impact.
Through a combination of smart design, user-focused features, and scalable infrastructure, we’re making it easier for people and businesses to join the recycling movement — one bottle at a time.