Virtual Booth

Solid waste management remains a critical environmental challenge, particularly within higher education institutions where student recycling participation is often inconsistent despite the availability of facilities. In Malaysia, recycling performance remains below national targets due to limited motivation, lack of reward mechanisms, and the absence of structured digital monitoring systems. These constraints contribute to low behavioral engagement in sustainability practices among students, underscoring the need for an innovative, technology-supported recycling ecosystem. This innovation proposes RecycleBuddy-Bin, a digital, incentive-based recycling ecosystem designed to enhance student participation through smart bin infrastructure, mobile application engagement, and ESG-aligned sustainability analytics. The project adopts a conceptual system design methodology comprising three core components: (i) a Smart RecycleBuddy-Bin with automated sensing and identity verification for transaction logging, (ii) a RecycleBuddy mobile application that tracks recycling activities, eco-points, and leaderboard rankings, and (iii) an institutional dashboard that supports participation monitoring and sustainability reporting. The design emphasizes usability, scalability, and behavioral motivation. Projected outcomes indicate that the digital reward mechanism can strengthen consistency in recycling, promote gamified environmental engagement, and support data-driven sustainability governance within institutions. The system also demonstrates potential for commercialization and broader deployment across campuses and community environments. In conclusion, RecycleBuddy-Bin presents a promising and scalable digital recycling ecosystem that aligns with national sustainability priorities and SDG 12. Future phases, including prototype development, pilot testing, and user acceptance evaluation, will validate its functional feasibility and real-world behavioral impact, reinforcing its potential as a national reference model for sustainable campus ecosystems.