SOWA EX App: Innovating Solid Waste Management via Consumer Engagement and Reward Systems.
SOWA Ex Website 2019
What is SOWA EX?
SOWA EX is an innovative solution that is revolutionizing the landscape of Recycling in Jordan. Run by Khubbaizeh, a Jordan-based Environmental Movement, the App encourages environmental responsibility and consumer engagement by facilitating the improvement of solid waste management processes in Jordan. Solid waste constitutes recyclable plastic and aluminium. To qualify as recyclables, plastic and aluminium should not be mixed with other types of waste. This process requires the collection of such items directly from the source (the consumer), a method usually referred to as “Source Separated Recycling”.
From an economic perspective, materials from Source Separated Recycling are generally better in quality, can be sold at a higher price than materials collected as a single stream and do not rely as heavily on expensive sorting technology or manual labor. But in a region where recycling ethics are low, Source Separated Recycling necessitates changing attitudes of the main consumers to positively impact participation in recycling and make collection volumes high.
Through “Houloul 2030: The Social innovation incubator”, Khubbaizeh innovated a new business model to Source Separated Recycling using a tech solution that aims to create a more systematic and more cost-efficient supply-demand chain between consumers and recyclers. SOWA EX encourages Source Separated Recycling and incentivises consumers to separate plastic and aluminium at the source (household) by a reward system dependent on points.
The App allows the consumer to create a user account via which they can order a pick-up of their sorted recyclables by SOWA EX agents upon gathering a certain weight benchmark. The user is able to exchange sorted solid waste with reward points. Such points can then be redeemed with discount vouchers and gift cards from various vendors. Another interface of the App helps agents (drivers) in identifying collection points (waste ready-for-pickup) and facilitating reward exchange with users.
Impact In Numbers:
“The incubation we received during the Houloul 2030 Program built our capacity in ways we could not have imagined. The blend of learning and hands-on prototyping was a unique experience. We now understand how to utilize technology to advocate for our cause for a cleaner Jordan.”. Mukarram Suleiman, CEO
