*HENG HIAP INDUSTRIES * A Malaysian recycling company and Capgemini dream up a new app on the AWS Cloud that can help write a new ending in the story of ocean-bound plastic.
Capgemini and Heng Hiap Industries (HHI) built gamification into the SmartSkrap app as a fun way to help people get serious about recycling. When customers collect over 165 pounds (76 kg) of recyclables, the app awards them “plastic neutral” status, meaning they’ve recycled the average amount of plastic consumed per capita.
After collectors inspect recyclables at pickup, they can “review” customers, awarding points for higher quality loads. This can encourage better habits like washing or carefully sorting materials.
To keep customers inspired and engaged, HHI and Capgemini are developing capabilities to trace where recycled plastic ends up using blockchain. In the future, this could let conscientious consumers everywhere see precisely where brands source their packaging materials.
Global plastic waste is expected to triple by 2060. Less than 20 percent of that is likely to be recycled1, with most bound for landfills or oceans. Part of the problem? Inconsistent or non-existent recycling infrastructure and lack of public awareness can dull efforts to make a meaningful dent in the plastic pileup.
Heng Hiap Industries (HHI) remains optimistic. A plastic recycling company based in Malaysia, HHI has years of experience collecting and converting plastic scrap into different resins that manufacturers turn into a range of household goods, automobile parts, and construction materials-some of which can be recycled again.
But to make recycling more widespread and effective, HHI knows the process must become more efficient. So HHI chose AWS Partner Capgemini to build SmartSkrap, a mobile app that connects consumers and recycling collectors directly, similar to a ride-hailing app. Using the scale and agility of the cloud on Amazon Web Services (AWS), HHI can put customers in charge with data-driven visibility and transparency. Customers can request recycling pickups in a few taps, keep track of how much they recycle, and earn rewards at certain milestones. Customers can also pinpoint on a map where their materials go, so they know their efforts aren't just wishful thinking. As Capgemini continues to develop new features, SmartSkrap will even enable customers to get paid for certain materials.
HHI has collected up to 60,000 tons of plastic waste from a community of 28,000 independent operators. By streamlining the recycling process end to end, the company aims to improve both the effectiveness and business value of recycling overall—to inspire broader participation.
With the digital reach enabled by Capgemini and AWS, HHI looks forward to seeing its vision realized across the Southeast Asia region and, eventually, help eco-conscious customers around the world recycle better.
1 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. “Global Plastic Outlook: Policy Scenarios to 2060,” 2022.