THEOREMUS

Cascais is committed to sustainability and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To meet this goal, the municipality aims to improve textile waste management, a major contaminant in household waste streams. Using data-driven IT solutions, Cascais plans to educate citizens on textile waste impacts, boost local recycling, and foster collaboration among residents, organizations, and waste collectors. This initiative will generate continuous data to identify gaps, optimize processes, and support a circular economy. Public awareness events will further promote innovative recycling solutions, reinforcing Cascais’ leadership in sustainability.

The Theoremus Solution to support Cascais to achieve its challenge is divided in the following 4 strands. The solution includes a dashboard for Cascais Ambiente EMAC and a mobile app designed for citizens and key players in textile recycling—drivers, sorting centers, secondhand shops, and recycling businesses.

Citizen Participation

• Citizens register on the app and receive 2–10 red QR-coded bags.
  
• Items are logged (type, size, brand) and dropped at app-recommended bins.
  
• Smart bins with QR codes and sensors track deposits and monitor fill levels.
  

Efficient Collection

• Drivers scan bins during pick-up, update fill data, and notify users when their bin is serviced.
  
• Sorting centers scan QR bags, verify items, and assign them for reuse or recycling.
  

Complete Transparency

• Citizens are informed where their items end up (secondhand or recycled).
  
• Data from the entire process is used to optimize routes and improve efficiency.

Incentives to Participate

• Green Miles Program: Earn points for recycling to reduce taxes or receive local retailer discounts.
• Awareness Campaigns: Posters, educational materials, and app-based rewards encourage widespread adoption.
  

This initiative bridges the gap between citizens and recycling agents, enhances traceability, and fosters community-driven sustainability in Cascais.