Project Vision
Vision Statement
Educado envisions a future where recycling and environmental responsibility are seamlessly integrated into daily life through education, technology, and community engagement. Our mission is to revolutionize waste management in the Federal District by promoting proper waste separation and hygiene, increasing the value and volume of recyclable materials, and fostering a culture of sustainability.
Through a mobile application co-created by waste pickers and students from the University of Brasília (UnB), Educado will deliver engaging, educational content that empowers users to adopt responsible recycling behaviors. The platform will also introduce gamification, enabling UnB students to earn academic credits by contributing to recycling efforts, thereby reinforcing sustainable practices through tangible incentives.
Our smart collection containers, EcoPoints, will enable efficient and traceable waste collection. These EcoPoints will be strategically deployed and integrated with the app, allowing users to locate the nearest drop-off locations, track their contributions, and view their environmental impact.
By combining education, technology, social inclusion, and environmental action, Educado aims to strengthen the circular economy, support cooperative income, and elevate public awareness about sustainability.
This project is designed to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on responsible consumption, climate action, and social inclusion.
Key Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Environmental Education | Educational content co-created with waste pickers to improve awareness on proper waste separation. |
| Gamification | Users, especially students, are rewarded for recycling through a credit-based system. |
| Accessibility | A user-friendly app and Instagram presence to reach a broad audience in the Federal District. |
| Social Inclusion | Waste pickers are active participants in content creation and project development. |
| Technological Innovation | Integration of CMS tools, geolocation features for EcoPoints, and secure, intelligent containers. |
Long-term Goals
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| Increase recycling rates | Achieve a 50,000 recyclable items collection goal within the first year, contributing to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. |
| Promote sustainable behavior | Empower the population through education and incentives, encouraging responsible waste management practices. |
| Support cooperatives | Improve income through better waste qualification and collection logistics, providing waste pickers with tools and contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. |
| Democratize environmental action | Make sustainability easy, practical, and engaging for all social sectors, in line with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. |
| Strengthen the circular economy | Boost material recovery through better hygiene, sorting, and participation, contributing to SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 12. |
Relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The project promotes sustainable waste management by focusing on proper recycling practices, increasing recycling rates, and improving product life cycles through better sorting and reuse.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By providing waste pickers with tools and education to increase their productivity and income, Educado contributes to the economic empowerment of informal workers.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Educado promotes social inclusion by involving waste pickers in the creation of educational content and providing them with the means to enhance their professional qualifications.
- SDG 13: Climate Action: The project supports climate action by promoting waste reduction, material recovery, and reducing the environmental impact of waste through better sorting and recycling efforts.