New Eco Cartridge Trade-in App

Project Overview

This project involved designing and developing a fully-responsive, high-performance web application from the ground up for InkRecycling.org. The primary goal was to create a seamless and intuitive experience for users to sell their empty ink cartridges for cash while providing the business with a scalable and efficient back-end.

To enhance the InkRecycling.org platform and address the ongoing challenges, we have developed and implemented a new, AI-powered "Eco Cartridge Trade-in App." This plan focuses on creating a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly experience to prepare the platform for future growth

The Challenge

The existing system faced several critical challenges: a rise in fraudulent submissions, high customer support volume due to user confusion, and a lack of transparency in the recycling process. The primary challenge was to build a platform that could combat these issues while being intuitive for end-users. Key challenges included:

• Minimizing fraudulent submissions of non-eligible cartridges (e.g., aftermarket, damaged, or empty).
• Improving the transparency of the entire recycling process, from submission to payment.
• Ensuring the site was fully responsive and accessible on all devices.

My Role & Solution

As the lead developer, I was responsible for implementing the entire user interface and user experience. My solution involved:

• Technology Stack: I developed a component-based architecture using JavaScript, a Google Firebase Firestore DB for real-time data management, and the Tailwind CSS framework for rapid, responsive styling.
• AI Integration: The core of the solution was the integration of a Gemini-powered AI model for photo verification. This feature prompts users to upload images of their cartridges, which are then analyzed to confirm eligibility before a shipping label is issued.
• Improved User Flow: I created a streamlined user flow with a new dashboard and guest tracking link. This provided users with real-time updates and notifications on their order status, addressing a major pain point.
• Optimized Performance: I focused on optimizing asset loading and utilizing lazy loading techniques to ensure quick load times, even with image-heavy pages.
• KPI Tracking: We implemented key performance indicators to measure the project's success, including reduced customer service inquiries, a decrease in fraudulent submissions, and an increase in recycling order volume.

Results & Takeaways

The new platform launched successfully, resulting in a 40% reduction in fraudulent submissions within the first quarter and a 25% decrease in customer support inquiries. Users reported a much more enjoyable and transparent experience.

This project taught me the importance of solving real-world business problems through a user-centric design approach and the power of integrating AI to create a more efficient system. It reinforced my passion for building beautiful and functional web applications that solve real-world problems.