Waste reporting - on Google Maps

[#1]

This post is my proposal (my idea) to Google Maps for 2020, and I think is also the dream of many others.

Caption: a Local Guide taking photos of abandoned waste, for reporting them - photos: Local Guide @ermest

The idea is quite simple, this video is explaining it. Of course, this is the view from the Local Guide Side

To know how this system works (in my mind only, at the moment):

please have a look to the following picture

Caption: a graphical representation of the Waste Reporting Idea - The picture is representing an idea, not something that is already working on Google Maps - Local Guide @ermest

This is an idea of synergy between three parts:

Local Guides <> Google Maps <> Local Waste Companies

Caption - The Waste Reporting Cycle - Local Guides @ermest

Google Maps could build up an interface for reporting abandoned trash or polluted areas, and send the information, loaded by Local Guides, to Local Authorities/Waste companies that are in charge for the clean-up of the area.

The Easy part:

The transfer of Information / Data between Local Guides and Google Maps is simple:

Local Guides are already inserting data in Google Maps, directly in point that are not related to POI:

• Information related to Missing or wrong road (Send a feedback)
• 360 Photos

Adding one more information is always possible

The Difficult part:

The difficult side is the interface between Google Maps and Local Authorities and/or Waste companies

I am thinking about something like Google Transit program, where local companies can join the program and update the information.

In this case, Local Companies can join the program, receive information, and send feedbacks to Google Maps, for confirming or denying the report

This is the more difficult part, because the Waste Companies need to register and identify in the map the area of activity (reporting will be possible only in areas covered by a Local Authority or a Waste Companies registered in Google Maps).

This means that the registration interface must have the capability for this function.

In Italy Waste Companies are operating according to administrative areas, so it is quite easy to identify the area covered by the service, but I don’t know how it works in other Countries

As I am aware of the cost of this kind of project, so I am thinking about two steps:

1. In the first step the program should by run, as a beta test, only in a few areas where local waste companies can set an agreement with Google
2. In the second step, the registration platform should be built and activated

Of course, we can go deep with more details, if needed. At the moment I am curious to know what the other Local Guides think of this idea

[ErmesT]

Agree, @JanVanHaver ,

this can be for sure an additional extra benefit

[Alana74]

I feel happier @ErmesT  one of my dreams is to have a clean planet and make consciousness in every person.

Thanks for making this dream come true and sharing your crazy ideas that are really not crazy!

😉💙🙆🐎🐩🐶🐐🐪🐰🐘🐸🐧🐢🐼

[ErmesT]

You are welcome, @Alana74  feel free to read and join us on the link that I shared to you.

LocalGuidesCleanTheWorld started one year ago: Local Guides Clean The World - A Local Guides project

Now is under translation in a lot of languages: LocalGuidesCleanTheWorld - In your Language

Look at the map to see what is already done: worldwide “Mymaps of plastic pollution”

Waste reporting is just the 2019 program, in addition to all the rest of the activities

You will like this one: RECAP: Clean The World - Puliamo la spiaggia di Jesolo

[PaulPavlinovich]

Awesome idea Ermes. Have you considered extending for pollution as well as garbage. Authorities rarely see the causal industrial pollutor but their neighbours probably do.

In my state you can report litter and pollution to the Environment Protection Authority. They have an app so there must be an API under the covers.

[SanyaOdare]

I share in your dreams @ErmesT. You have my support and I look forward to spea

[DavidTito]

I have arrived @ErmesT  my vote is in,  fingers crossed my friend 

[GhazalaShah]

Hahaha @ErmesT.. Seriously for Pakistan and particularly Karachi where I live, it's not a joke. It would be easier to report for the places which have clean surroundings. Because if we started reporting the presence of garbage, refuse, excrta, sewerage flowing on streets; we will have to report for literally every street of this mega city (population wise mega). Cajoling aside..🙂 I agree with your idea. I often thought about some ways to notify clutter, garbage & all, at public places in Karachi and other places in Pakistan but the next moment felt 'there is no use..who is there to rectify this problem of a huge magnitude in Karachi..🤔?!' This comment by me is purely related to the issue of environment cleanliness in Karachi in particular and rest of Pakistan in general.

[GhazalaShah]

Wonderful @PaulPavlinovich 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👌🧢! Yes pollutants! All kinds of these! Be it air pollution by noise or automobile emissions..be it industrial or other kinds of pollutants; need reporting. However for industrial waste we can't tell if it is treated or untreated effluent or emission so.. this can be tricky.

[LuaPL]

Excellent idea @ErmesT .

I give my vote

[ErmesT]

I know exactly it is not a joke, @GhazalaShah , but we have to start from somewhere. There are decision that have to be taken at a political and administrative level, we cannot replace them. What we can do is create discomfort to the ones that have to take the decision, awareness to the ones that care about environment. You can see the movement, created by @RiverDefender , or the one started by @br14n , both in Indonesia. They are creating traction, the televisions talk about them, this moves more and more people.

So, my idea is not a joke, I didn't wrote it for fun. If (if) Google accept to try, this will generate more attention about the environment, the pollution, the health of the people. Is an hard challenge @GhazalaShah , but also a marathon start from a first, single step. Feel free to share it, if you think that this can help