A blockchain enabled kiosk for e-waste recycling has been shortlisted for the University of Sydney’s Genesis Program.
The Genesis Program supports promising startups through mentoring from experts and a final award of $25,000.
According to a University of Sydney statement, Masters Student Shriya Srinagesh’s digital interface E-Mine, aims to minimise e-waste by enticing people to recycle.
“Placed in locations with high footfalls, E-Mine is an automated self-serve kiosk system for users to sell their old e-devices in return for digital tokens that can be converted to cash,” the statement reads.
The machine then scans the device and searches for the best price and offer to sell.
Ms Srinagesh said the machine leverages blockchain technology to increase motivation for e-waste recycling, and alleviate concerns of users who are afraid their confidential information will be compromised.
“Nobody seems to talk about where or what they do with their old devices. Most of them are shelved, while some are sold and some are thrown away with the general trash,” Ms Srinagesh said.
“Through the development of this design that uses blockchain technology, I hope to create a global standard for recycling e-waste legally.”
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