Wasted is an autonomous project under CITIES Foundation, an Amsterdam-based non-profit that seeks to find solutions tailored to local needs using community engagement and active research.

While waste segregation is high in most of Holland, Amsterdam with its high percentage of low income families was lagging behind country statistics in this area. WASTED was designed as an educational tool about waste segregation and to provide motivation to put the lessons into practice. They are currently working with 800 people. Participants can sign up for the program, and get free recycling bags with information kits. Before disposing the bag the WASTED team check it by scanning a QR code at the recycling bin, taking a picture and uploading it on the WASTED website. As a reward the participants get a digital WASTED coin that can be encashed for discounts and benefits at various offline or online stores.

Many local businesses are supporting the project by becoming Rewarders and providing discounts. These could be local retailers, shops, restaurants and cafes. Discounts cover coffee, beers, events, soups, bike repairs, massage, yoga lessons, bitterballen, dinners, tools, furniture and more. Whole neighborhoods in Amsterdam Noord are participating in the program.

CITIES was founded in 2008 to tackle global problems, such as environmental crisis and promote a circular economy. They cooperate with the Municipality of Amsterdam to promote recycling, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment on a pilot program to educate secondary school kids and adults on plastic. WASTED’s efforts have been reported in the Guardian.