Walking through Ciutat Vella, the heart of Barcelona, one can’t help but notice the overflowing bins, the persistent smell of garbage, and the discarded trash left along the streets. Despite the city’s continuous efforts to keep public spaces clean, waste management remains a pressing issue, particularly in the historic district where narrow streets and high foot traffic make collection inefficient.
BarnaBin was created to address this challenge by empowering residents with a simple but effective tool: an app that allows users to report trash in real time, locate nearby bins, and contribute to a cleaner environment.
Data Analysis
Qualitative data collection guided the start of our research and data collection. Starting with observations we saw a clear issue with trash outside of bins especially in Ciutat Vella.
Interviews were in the next stage of data collection. These included 7 qualitative interviews around Ciutat Vella combining residents walking around, employees of different businesses and the Cuidem Barcelona city employees.
Quantitative survey responses gave us insight into the sentiments of Barcelona residents. Combining the survey data and interviews we felt that the main issues were in Ciutat Vella, were due to behavioral issues of residents, contributed to by infrastructure and service gaps as well as majorly impacted by seasonal changes. Hearing and seeing residents contribute significantly to this issue validated our user group for the app.
Final area of research and data collection included understanding the city initiatives already in place. While we see the city is working hard to reduce waste and keep the city sanitary there appear to be infrastructure gaps that we can leverage crowd sourced data to assist the Ajuntament in their collection effectiveness and efficiency.
Problem Forming
Ciutat Vella residents, actively disposing of their trash, need a solution to prevent waste from being left outside bins, as it attracts trash pickers who create additional mess, along with unwanted pests and odors. This leads to visual pollution and negatively impacts residents’ overall satisfaction with the city.
Ciutat Vella residents need a user-friendly solution to prevent trash from being left outside bins. Improper disposal habits, lack of education, and infrastructure limitations have turned waste collection into a daily challenge.
Market Research
The global waste management industry is rapidly evolving, with new technologies such as IoT-enabled smart bins and AI-powered waste sorting systems. However, these innovations often focus on large-scale industrial solutions rather than engaging local communities. Existing mobile apps offer features like bin localization and waste tracking, but they rarely involve citizens in the process of making real-time reports or directly improving collection routes.
BarnaBin fills this gap by combining crowdsourced data collection with actionable insights for city authorities. The app not only allows users to report trash but also provides city officials with valuable information to optimize collection routes and reduce inefficiencies.
Solution and design: How BarnaBin Works
At its core, BarnaBin is designed to be simple and intuitive. Residents who notice overflowing bins or waste left in the street can report the issue with just a few taps. The app allows users to pin the location, upload a photo, and categorize the type of waste problem they’re seeing. This real-time data is then shared with the city’s waste management teams, helping them allocate resources more effectively.
Another key feature is the bin locator, which enables users to find the nearest appropriate waste disposal site, whether it’s for general trash, recycling, or composting. The app also works offline, ensuring that users can access bin locations and report issues even when they have limited connectivity.
By engaging residents in the process, BarnaBin fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages more mindful waste disposal behaviors. The more people participate, the more efficient the system becomes.
From lo-fi wireframing we defined the most important feature, Trash Reporting, and developed sketches for how the user gets from the homescreen to the finished submission of their complaint.
Following the lo-fi wireframing we created a high fidelity prototype. Our prototype demonstrates a seamless user experience:
Key Features
Go-to-Market Strategy
The success of BarnaBin lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with city operations. By providing real-time data, the app can help local authorities identify waste collection bottlenecks and refine their routes, ultimately reducing fuel consumption and optimizing manpower. At the same time, increased citizen participation leads to cleaner streets, making neighborhoods more pleasant for both residents and visitors.
To drive adoption, we plan to collaborate with local government agencies, environmental NGOs, and businesses. Coffee shops, restaurants, and retailers near trash collection points could sponsor the app, encouraging their customers to participate. Social media campaigns and clean-up events will also play a role in spreading awareness and boosting engagement.
Measuring Impact
To ensure BarnaBin’s effectiveness, we will track several key metrics. The number of reports submitted by users will indicate engagement levels, while the frequency of bin searches will show how well the locator function is being utilized. Additionally, by monitoring fuel consumption in waste collection trucks, we can assess whether the app’s data is truly optimizing collection routes and reducing inefficiencies.
A Community-Powered Solution
Waste management is not just a municipal responsibility—it’s a community issue that affects the quality of life for everyone. BarnaBin transforms everyday citizens into active participants in keeping their city clean. By combining technology, data, and citizen engagement, we can create a more efficient waste management system and a healthier urban environment.
The problem of waste in Barcelona won’t disappear overnight, but with the right tools and collective action, we can take meaningful steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable city. Would you use BarnaBin in your neighborhood? Let us know in the comments!
