Applying AI to smart waste collection technology.

Bền bỉ với mục tiêu thành phố không rác - Ảnh 1.

Six years is not an easy journey, but Nguyen Trong Minh - the founder of Grac - has maintained the same enthusiasm as in the early days, constantly experimenting with every step forward, idea, and new project at Grac.

Grac Green Point - Recycling Green Point

Grac's latest project is Grac Green Point. This is a model for collecting recyclable waste from apartments, shops, schools, and buildings, expanding to residential areas throughout the city.

When customers shop, they can earn Grac reward points by redeeming recyclable waste for points or cash on the app. Reward points can be used to purchase items in-store or at any Grac partner store.

"The leaders of the District 8 People's Committee are very interested in this program. A meeting chaired by the Vice Chairman of the District 8 People's Committee with representatives from 16 wards and Grac was held to quickly promote the implementation of the Green Point pilot project in the district," Minh happily shared.

This model is quite common in Japan as well as many European countries. Japan, in particular, is known for its strict waste sorting and recycling system. Sweden, on the other hand, has an advanced recycling system with collection points in many residential areas and schools, as well as mobile recycling stations.

Many people complain that even if they sort their waste, it's all collected together anyway, so what's the point of sorting? "If waste collection and sorting points are established, there will be a place to bring sorted waste, and surely more people will be more proactive in sorting. After sorting, the waste will be transferred to professional recycling facilities," Minh shared.

Grac has learned from the practices of several countries, encouraging chain stores, schools, buildings, and others to register as Grac Green Points.

With the first two Grac Green Points already in operation, Grac aims to increase the number to 323 by 2025, collecting nearly 59,000 tons of plastic waste annually. By 2030, the number of Grac Green Points is expected to multiply tenfold, reaching 3,230 points and collecting approximately 590,000 tons of plastic waste per year.

Bền bỉ với mục tiêu thành phố không rác - Ảnh 2. — A Grac Green Point test site is located at the Grac office in the Sky Center apartment complex (10 Pho Quang Street, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) - Photo: Vu Thuy

AI application for waste sorting.

Grac has been collaborating with districts and communes in Ho Chi Minh City for many years to provide software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that support the management of waste generators (households), waste volume, and collection times. They have also developed the Grac mobile application to encourage people to participate in waste sorting on Google Play and the App Store.

Users can schedule the collection of bulky waste, file complaints about waste collection fees and times, report illegal dumping, and accumulate reward points for participation. Reward points can be redeemed for products, services, or cash from Grac's partners.

To date, approximately 200 People's Committees of wards and communes in Thu Duc City, along with Districts 3, Go Vap, Binh Thanh, and Phu Nhuan, have applied this technology, serving over 1 million waste generators and households. The expansion of this connection is continuing, with the expectation that in the near future, data digitization will be completed, forming a network connecting households, collection units, and the government.

According to the founder of Grac, people can try out the AI chat system (Grac Saola) currently under development at http://chat.grac.vn/. Users can take photos of trash and ask if it is recyclable, and the system will send a detailed answer.

The potential of AI technology in improving the efficiency of plastic waste management is enormous, and Grac is currently seeking investors to support the development of this zero-waste city vision project.

According to calculations, AI technology can be applied in many aspects of waste management, from collection and sorting to recycling. AI can collect data on waste quantities from various sources, thereby analyzing trends and predicting the increase of plastic waste over specific times and locations.

Furthermore, AI combined with machine learning can help waste sorting systems be more accurate instead of relying on humans. It has the ability to distinguish plastic from other types of waste using image algorithms.

AI applications can predict the amount of waste at collection points, thereby coordinating collection vehicles efficiently, saving fuel, reducing emissions, and optimizing the transportation and collection process.

Mr. NGUYEN TRONG MINH

Smart collection system

One of the standout solutions Grac Tech is developing is an AI-powered smart waste collection system that manages data on plastic waste in major urban areas. Instead of relying on fixed-schedule waste collection, this system can gather information from smart bins, predict when they will be full, and dispatch collection trucks at the appropriate time.

This not only saves operating costs but also minimizes the problem of overflowing or overloaded trash bins, preventing waste from spilling out. This AI system can also predict future waste generation, helping management agencies plan waste collection more accurately and efficiently.

Registration for the Youth Start-up Award 2024 is open until October 20th.

The Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2024 is organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, in collaboration with the Business Support Center for Young Entrepreneurs (BSSC) and the Packaging Recycling Alliance of Vietnam (PRO Vietnam). The program is supported by the following organizations: VinaCapital,ACB Bank, Volvo, KN Group, Dai-ichi Life Vietnam, An Hoa, Faslink, Ecco Golf Vietnam, and Tin Nghia.

The program aims to inspire an entrepreneurial spirit in young people, nurturing ideas and determination for green and sustainable entrepreneurship. Through this, it seeks to identify and honor effective startup models that bring value to society and the nation, contributing to supporting businesses and individuals in accessing investors and startup funds.

There will be many activities within the program. Applications are currently being accepted until October 20th via email: tuoitrestartupaward@tuoitre.com.vn, or by visiting the Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2024 website, filling out the registration form, and submitting your project.