Introduction

Urban areas generate tons of waste every day, much of which can still be reused or repurposed. Inspired by this real-world issue, I developed ZeroWasteMart, a full-stack web application that enables people to share unused items locally before they go to waste. From geolocation-based listings to auto-expiry and real-time updates, this platform is designed to encourage eco-friendly habits through technology.

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🔍 Project Overview

Project Name: ZeroWasteMart
Domain: Urban Sustainability/Waste Reduction
Category: Student Project
Goal: Let users post and collect unused items within their locality using location and expiry features.

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Key Features of ZeroWasteMart

Waste Reduction Made Easy
Connects people to share unused items locally, reducing environmental impact.

Location-Based Listings
Users enter latitude and longitude to view or post items available near them.

Auto-Expiry of Posts
Each item listing comes with a time limit, ensuring outdated posts are automatically removed.

Real-Time Updates
Get instant feedback when an item is claimed or newly listed—no refresh needed.

Multiple Categories Supported
Users can donate food, clothes, electronics, books, and more—anything reusable.

Simple and Quick Posting
Add item name, description, category, and location in just a few clicks.

Community-Centric Design
Promotes a culture of helping and sharing in local neighborhoods.

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🛠️ Tech Stack & Architecture

Frontend (ReactJS):

• React Hooks + Context API

• User-provided Latitude & Longitude for location (No Google Maps API used)

• Mobile-friendly responsive UI

Backend:

• Node.js

• Express.js

• MongoDB Atlas (Cloud Database)

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Development Journey

This project was built in 4 weeks during the third year. Major challenges included:

• Designing a simple yet engaging UX

• Filtering items dynamically by location

• Ensuring expiry-based deletion works consistently

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Key Learnings

• How to plan, design, and launch a full-stack product alone

• Experience with real-time systems and geolocation

• User-centric design and feature prioritization

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What’s Next?

I plan to:

• Add chat/messaging for item exchange

• Build Android support via React Native

• Partner with NGOs for community sharing

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Code & Demo Access

This project is currently in its closed beta phase. The codebase is private for now to protect the integrity of future development and deployment.

🔗 A live demo link will be added soon once the project is hosted online.

Final Thoughts

ZeroWasteMart is more than a project—it's my way of using code to create real impact. I believe technology should serve people and the planet. This blog not only documents my learning but also invites you to rethink waste.

If you enjoyed this, connect with me on https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshal-chavan-b873aa28a/

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