Gamifying litter cleanup: How a new initiative in Ontario is turning trash into cash
Global News
A local environmental charity from Georgian Bay is the first in North America to partner with an app that gamifies helping the environment.
An Ontario environmental charity is the first in North America to partner with an app that gamifies helping the environment.
Georgian Bay Forever, an environmental charity that works to conserve, protect and restore the aquatic ecosystems of Georgian Bay, has partnered with LitterLotto, an app that offers users the chance to win money by cleaning up litter.
While organizers say the app can be used anywhere for the chance to win a global cash prize of £500 (roughly $900) a month, Georgian Bay Forever is offering prizes for local cleanup efforts.
Those who pick up garbage locally can be entered in a draw to win $50 a week, or the £500 monthly global prize.
Using the app, people only need take pictures of themselves picking up trash outside and disposing of it in a public trash can to be entered for a chance to win. The app also uses artificial intelligence to try to stop people from cheating the system.
“The app is focused on changing people’s behaviour so that they’re more likely to pick up litter when they’re out and about,” said Nicolaas Love, plastics co-ordinator for Georgian Bay Forever.
“Hopefully, it can get people to, instead of walking past that piece of litter on the ground, we’ll actually stop to pick it up with that little added incentive.”
The organization said one of Georgian Bay’s biggest threats is pollution, which is why its programming and education have been heavily focused on identifying actionable ways to reduce litter in nature and change people’s behaviour regarding littering.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Northern Health says multiple lab-confirmed cases of measles have been confirmed in Wonowon, about 89 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, B.C.
Conservation officers say the bear swiped the woman on the side of the face, leaving her with serious facial lacerations.
Albertans who want to continue to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus will have to pay out of pocket for it starting in the fall of 2025, the province announced on Friday.
The issues that impacted Google Cloud, Gmail, Google Search and Spotify on Thursday appeared to have been resolved as of Friday morning.
The Canadian Cancer Society is warning the Carney government about the potential risks to health standards if new interprovincial trade legislation doesn't add new safegaurds.
About two weeks ago, the water disappeared from Poplar Lake in north Edmonton — leaving longtime area residents baffled and dismayed.
Kennedy chose new members to sit on the committee, including a scientist who researched mRNA vaccine technology and a leading critic of pandemic-era lockdowns.
The wildfire season so far this year has been the second worst on record after 2023, according to the Government of Canada, which forecasts the trend to continue.
With hockey shirts decorating the wall, a favourite video game on TV and a cell phone not far away, Henry Black is everything you would expect from a 16-year-old.
Some salami products under the Rea and Bona brands are being recalled in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario over concerns of potential salmonella contamination.
The barrier on the south side of the tri-community will be removed on Thursday at 8 a.m., the same time the evacuation order will lift.
Many communities in the province remained under an air quality warning on Tuesday while special air quality statements were issued for others.
B.C.'s first blast of summer-like weather has triggered weather advisories for much of the southern part of the province as well as air quality advisories linked to wildfires.