Global Waste Recovery: Verified Connection through Cardano

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Global Waste Recovery: Verified Connection through Cardano

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

100000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

4

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Waste recovery orgs lack digital tools for traceability and verification. Many lack formal records, so we provide templates and guidance to help them document impact and join circular markets.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://app.plastiks.io

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Parts of the project will be open source under Apache 2.0 (smart contracts, credential schemas, basic UI) and published on GitHub. The Plastiks backend and AI services via Google Cloud are proprietary. Google Cloud provides secure infrastructure: Storage, Firestore, Functions, Vision API, Firebase Auth, and Cloud Run. Logging and monitoring ensure traceability. All services are managed by Nozama Tech Ltd. with GDPR compliance.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Tokenization

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Mention your open source license and describe your open source license rationale.

License: Apache 2.0. We chose a permissive license to maximize reuse and adoption across Cardano. Apache 2.0 allows commercial use, modification and redistribution with attribution and an explicit patent grant, reducing legal friction for integrators. We will open-source CIP-68 smart contracts, credential/metadata schemas, and basic verifier UI components, with docs and examples, on GitHub. Proprietary items excluded: the Plastiks backend, AI services on Google Cloud, and branding assets.

How do you make sure your source code is accessible to the public from project start, and people are informed?

We will build a standalone Pre-Platform Onboarding Hub (join.plastiks.io) where organizations complete training and accreditation before access to app.plastiks.io. The hub includes a public blog and knowledge base, global LMS modules with badges, and a guided KYB-style workflow (forms, document upload, OCR/AI prechecks, human review). Once verified, a Cardano credential (CIP-68) is minted and the organization receives an SSO invite to app.plastiks.io.

How will you provide high quality documentation?

Use docs-as-code. Public repo includes: README (scope, links), Quickstart (10-min run), Architecture & data flows (Mermaid), API (OpenAPI + examples), Schemas (JSON), Smart contracts (CIP-68, test vectors), Ops guides (deploy, monitoring, runbooks), Security/Compliance (GDPR, ISO 9001), Changelog. Tooling: MkDocs Material, markdownlint/Vale, link checker, GitHub Actions to build/test/publish on each tag/PR. Process: every feature PR updates docs; runnable examples verified in CI.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Plastiks proposes a global onboarding and verification process for waste recovery organizations, built on the Cardano blockchain and aligned with ISO 9001:2015 standards. Our goal is to empower hundreds of organizations operating in informal, under-resourced or disconnected contexts to join the verified circular economy, starting with plastic recovery, and connect to global markets through a transparent, trust-based digital process.

Our solution is structured around three core components:

The Plastiks 3-Step Verification Methodology (ISO aligned)

We apply a structured yet adaptable accreditation process, designed to progressively onboard organizations based on their level of maturity and context.

Step 1: Process Evaluation, Roadmap and Budget

• The organization share their processes and respond a checklist about current documentation the use
• Based on this, we co-create a customized roadmap for compliance and impact measurement.

Step 2: Accreditation questionnaire

• AI-supported evaluation of key metrics:
• Financial health (revenue, consistency)
• Sustainability and traceability (kg recovered, zones of impact, types of plastic recovered, environmental permits, use of natural resources)
• Legal and labor compliance (permits, EPP, gender equality, contracts)
• PLASTIKS issue and accreditation report that analyze all the information and documentation submitted into STEP 2
• Only those meeting PLASTIKS’ baseline requirements are granted the Plastiks Accreditation Certificate (valid for 12 months).

Step 3: Platform Onboarding & Credit Issuance

• Verified and accredited organizations create public profiles and start issuing plastic recovery credits ( after an specific training about how to issue plastic credits into blockchain. This is to prevent errors in the future), with every issuance and data point stored on the Cardano blockchain.
• They gain access to dashboards, credit sales, and a growing set of tools to monitor and report verified impact.

Technical Platform and AI Verification Support

To make this system truly scalable and inclusive, we will integrate technologies inspired by HR-tech and fintech platforms like Deel, Remote, Dext or Xero, combined with AI support from Astrafy.

Key features:

• Localized digital onboarding: Multi-language smart forms with conditional logic.
• Document automation: OCR and auto-tagging of permits, invoices, licenses, and field documentation.
• AI anomaly detection: Astrafy’s pipeline will help flag suspicious documents, inconsistencies, or missing data for manual review.
• GPS and metadata validation: For visual materials and field reports.
• On-chain identity and credential registry: Each accredited entity will be assigned a Verifiable Credential NFT anchored to their Cardano wallet.
• All verification steps will generate transactions or state changes on Cardano, reinforcing traceability, user growth and blockchain adoption.

Community Building, Training and Recognition Layer

To scale adoption and ensure alignment with sustainability goals, we are launching a Community Building Initiative tightly integrated with the verification process.

Key components:

• Training Platform: Verified orgs gain access to curated training on SDGs, health & safety, documentation, and circular practices.
• Badges & Recognition: Completed trainings award visual badges on public profiles to signal commitment, build reputation and unlock advanced features.
• Community Hub: A digital space for interaction, best-practice sharing, and cross-border collaboration.
• Resource Library: Templates, guides, video content, survey tools, and case studies.
• Plastiks Expert Network (PEN): Accredited verifiers trained to conduct field validation aligned with our 3 STEPS methodology.
• Global Community Event in Barcelona: A hybrid event to bring together recovery organizations, buyers, partners, and institutions.
• This layer increases retention, improves the quality of verification, and positions Cardano as an enabler of human-centric sustainability transformation.

How This Benefits the Cardano Ecosystem

• Transaction Volume: Every onboarding, document, verification, and credit issuance creates on-chain interactions with thirdparty accredited verifiers similar to Catalyst Reviewers but specifically for waste management verification.
• User Growth: Each organization becomes a new Cardano user, with wallet-based identity and smart contract engagement. In addition, verifiers are a global level will also become Cardano users.
• Real-world utility: The project demonstrates Cardano’s value in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) applications.
• DeFi and NFT Interoperability: Recovery credits and verifiable credentials can become building blocks for future carbon markets, DeFi staking, or community rewards.
• Impact Provenance: Using Cardano as the source of truth for verified recovery data enables trust from buyers, regulators, and financial partners.

Scalability and Strategic Vision

• This is not a prototype; it’s a continuation and expansion of a verified methodology already deployed by Plastiks across multiple continents. The 100,000 ADA requested will be used to:
• Build the Cardano-native infrastructure for verification and credentialing.
• Integrate AI verification modules with Astrafy (Google supplier tech company)
• Onboard the first 5–10 new organizations across Latin America, Africa and Asia.
• Deploy the community platform, training system, and recognition badges.
• Host the first hybrid global community event.

With the groundwork laid, the next stage will be to scale the model across 100+ recovery orgs and expand verification from plastic to other material types, bringing even more impact to the Cardano ecosystem.

This growth is only possible through the creation of a truly connected Web3 community: one that shares knowledge, promotes transparency, and enables faster, easier access to the information needed for verification and onboarding. By reducing friction through shared templates, community training, and AI-assisted verification, we empower organizations of all sizes and backgrounds to actively participate in circular economy systems.

The Plastiks methodology becomes not just a protocol, but a living system: adaptable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of communities worldwide. With Cardano as the technological backbone, we unlock a collaborative infrastructure where decentralized identity, real-world data, and verifiable sustainability converge. This is how we accelerate impact, scale adoption, and build the foundation for a truly regenerative digital economy.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

This project will drive meaningful adoption of Cardano across a global network of waste recovery organizations by transforming how these entities access, engage with, and benefit from Web3 infrastructure. Our ISO-aligned accreditation process and onboarding process will be entirely deployed on Cardano, ensuring that every participant becomes an active contributor to the ecosystem.

The main positive impacts include:

• User Growth in Underrepresented Regions By onboarding organizations from Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, many operating in informal economies, we introduce new users to the Cardano ecosystem who would otherwise be excluded from Web3 participation.
• High On-Chain Activity Each step of the Plastiks methodology (onboarding, document verification, accreditation, credit issuance) generates Cardano-native transactions. These include NFTs, identity tokens, credential records, and impact-linked credits.
• Real-World Utility of Cardano This project demonstrates how Cardano can serve as a transparent, low-cost infrastructure for environmental impact, ESG compliance, and traceability. It strengthens Cardano’s position as a preferred blockchain for regenerative finance (ReFi) and climate-positive initiatives.
• Community-Led Infrastructure The training, recognition, and collaborative support system builds a strong, values-aligned community on Cardano. Participants not only use the blockchain, they co-create a new standard for impact verification and digital trust.
• Interoperability and Expansion Verified organizations and their on-chain credentials can be integrated into DeFi, marketplaces, and funding platforms, opening up new use cases across Cardano dApps and protocols.

By building this global, transparent, traceable and inclusive network of verified sustainability actors on Cardano, we not only grow the blockchain’s user base, we give purpose, meaning, and measurable real-world impact to every transaction.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & Feasibility

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Plastiks, operated by Nozama Tech Ltd., is already a live and functioning platform that enables plastic recovery certification, credit issuance, and ESG traceability across more than 15 countries. Our accreditation process is aligned with ISO 9001:2015 quality standards, and our existing infrastructure integrates blockchain, digital documentation, and public dashboards.

We are not building a concept from scratch. This proposal is a strategic extension of a proven model, with an emphasis on onboarding, scalability, and integration with the Cardano blockchain.

Why We Are Well-Suited to Deliver This Project

• Operational Experience: Plastiks has already onboarded and verified dozens of waste recovery organizations across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Our processes are field-tested and adaptable to local contexts.
• Technical Infrastructure: The Plastiks platform is live and includes user profiles, NFT credit issuance, media integration, traceability dashboards, and a robust back-end for recovery data management. We are already integrating with Cardano via smart contract support.
• Compliance and Governance: Our processes are backed by ISO 9001:2015 -aligned internal procedures, a quality assurance system, and an auditable verification methodology. These ensure structured onboarding, verification, reporting, and certification.
• Cross-Disciplinary Team: Our team includes professionals in blockchain, sustainability, quality / environment and health and safety management, product design, and field operations. We are also collaborating with Astrafy, an AI verification partner with technical expertise in document and data authentication.
• Community-Building Layer: We’ve already launched a structured training program, badge system, and knowledge-sharing platform to engage verified partners and improve impact transparency.

Trust, Accountability & Fund Management Processes

We apply strict internal controls and transparent financial management:

• ISO 9001-Aligned Procedures: Our work is guided by standardized documentation control, registers, resource tracking, and accountability chains.
• Dedicated Project Budgeting: Funds received will be managed through a dedicated cost center within Nozama Tech Ltd., with clear separation of Grant-related expenses.
• Monthly Progress Tracking: We will maintain detailed milestone reports, transparent activity logs, and public updates on the Cardano community channels.
• Deliverable-Based Disbursement: Our internal management system links milestones to disbursements, ensuring that payments follow measurable progress.
• Community Feedback Loops: We will gather feedback from pilot participants, validators, and Cardano community members at every key phase.
• Open Source and Verifiable Data: Any components developed with Catalyst funding (e.g., smart contracts, templates, dashboards) will be made open and auditable for reuse across the Cardano ecosystem.

Feasibility Validation Approach

To ensure our solution is realistic and scalable:

• We will run a 3-month pilot with 5–10 waste recovery orgs from different regions, using the full 3-step methodology with Cardano integration.
• AI verification modules will be tested in parallel with manual validation to ensure reliability.
• Community engagement will be tracked through the new badge system, training completion, and dashboard activity.
• We will publish a public impact report and lessons-learned document, sharing insights with the wider Cardano community.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Cardano Integration & Digital Credentialing System

Milestone Outputs

We will integrate Cardano smart contracts into the Plastiks platform to issue verifiable credentials and store onboarding metadata on-chain. This includes adapting our 3-step accreditation process to create CIP-68 NFTs: represent an evolution of the NFT standard on the Cardano blockchain. They enable the storage of more complex and useful data, accessible both to humans and smart contracts. This enhanced structure allows for more advanced use cases than traditional NFTs, including dynamic metadata, programmability, and seamless integration with decentralized applications, or identity tokens tied to verified organizations

Acceptance Criteria

• A credential NFT or on-chain record is minted and linked to an organization profile
• Documentation reviewed by at least one external partner or community dev
• Cardano testnet transaction hash available and verifiable
• Smart contract repository shared publicly (GitHub or similar)

Evidence of Completion

• Smart contract deployed (testnet): policy ID and tx hash.
• Onboarding backend adapted to Cardano: merged PR link and commit hash.
• First identity token minted: asset fingerprint and mint tx hash.
• Technical docs published: public GitHub /docs and release tag (v0.1).

Delivery Month

1

Cost

25000

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

AI-Powered Verification & Document Automation

Milestone Outputs

We will integrate AI modules with the support of Astrafy to automate document validation during the accreditation process. This includes OCR, anomaly detection, and structured data extraction from uploaded documents such as invoices, licenses, and field records.

Acceptance Criteria

• AI verification flags at least 3 types of anomalies (e.g. date mismatch, missing stamp, file corruption).
• Test case results documented and reviewed internally.
• Log of verification decisions linked to AI assessment output.
• OCR accuracy above 85% on standard documents.

Evidence of Completion

• OCR engine implemented and tested on real docs
• Proof: POC report with accuracy >85%, redacted samples (invoice, delivery note, receipt), repo commit/config link.
• Astrafy AI service configured to flag inconsistencies (≥3 cases)
• Proof: test case IDs, logs/screens showing flags, config file in repo.
• Internal dashboard logging AI verification results
• Proof: dashboard URL/screenshot, timestamped entries, query/export of logs.
• Simulated org verification via AI-assisted flow
• Proof: test org ID, run ID, verification report PDF, audit trail link.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

40000

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Pilot Onboarding of Recovery Organizations

Milestone Outputs

We will apply the 3-step methodology and Cardano-integrated onboarding flow to onboard 5–10 real waste recovery organizations across diverse regions (LATAM, Africa, Asia). These organizations will go through evaluation, verification, and credit issuance.

• 5+ organizations onboarded via the new system
• Public profiles created with organization data and media
• Verification credentials issued on Cardano (mainnet or testnet)
• Minimum 10 verified plastic credits minted and linked to transactions

Acceptance Criteria

• Each onboarded organization receives a credential NFT or equivalent on-chain verification
• Public profiles live on the Plastiks platform
• Cardano transaction hashes for all issued credits publicly available
• Feedback collected from pilot participants on UX and verification clarity

Evidence of Completion

• 5+ orgs onboarded: list of org IDs and regions, onboarding completion logs.
• Public profiles live: profile URLs or screenshots with timestamps.
• On-chain credentials issued: policy ID and tx hashes per org (CIP-68 asset fingerprints).
• 10+ verified credits minted: asset IDs and mint tx hashes; explorer links.
• End-to-end traceability: audit trail IDs linking evaluation → verification → issuance.
• User feedback captured: pilot survey summary (UX, clarity), NPS score, top 3 fixes logged.

Delivery Month

3

Cost

30000

Progress

90 %

Milestone Title

Project Completion Report & Public Impact Video

Milestone Outputs

We will compile and publish a full summary of the project, including results, lessons learned, and measurable impact of the onboarding system, AI verification flow, and Cardano blockchain integration. A short public video will be produced to document the process, outcomes, and future potential. This milestone consolidates the successful delivery of all project components funded through the 100,000 ADA grant.

Acceptance Criteria

• Final report delivered to the Catalyst community (PDF or equivalent)
• Public video published and accessible via YouTube or IPFS
• Post on Cardano Forum includes links to video, report, and repository
• Budget use is transparent and matched against the original milestones
• Community feedback is gathered and reflected in the report

Evidence of Completion

• Final written report covering all previous milestones
• Impact data summary (users onboarded, documents processed, credits issued)
• 2–3 minute public-facing video (English + subtitles)
• Summary post on Cardano Forum / Catalyst channels
• Documentation of how grant funds were used (budget breakdown)

Delivery Month

4

Cost

5000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Cardano Integration & Credentials (25,000 ADA)

Work

• Design/deploy CIP-68 smart contracts; on-chain credential model.
• Integrate credential writes into backend and dashboard.
• Set up repo, CI, docs, and testnet deployments.

People

• Udai/AIQUANT: blockchain architecture & implementation
• Trym: product/UX flow
• Ana: governance/compliance
• Delfina: method → credential mapping
• Third-party & Tools

Outputs

• Testnet contract, first credential minted, public tech docs.

Milestone 2: OCR & AI Verification Stack (40,000 ADA)

Work

• Implement OCR for invoices/delivery notes/receipts.
• Configure AI rules to flag inconsistencies; build verification dashboard and logs.
• Connect pipeline to pre-platform onboarding hub.

People

• Udai/AIQUANT: backend/services
• Trym: verifier UX and dashboard
• Delfina: verification rules; acceptance thresholds
• Ana: data protection and DPIA oversight
• Third-party & Tools
• Google Cloud: Vision API, Cloud Run/Functions, Firestore, Storage, Logging/Monitoring.
• (Optional) Astrafy: config/QA support.

Outputs

• OCR live, AI flags ≥3 cases, prod dashboard, usage/perf guides.

Milestone 3 — Pilot + Training & Badges + PM/Reporting (30,000 ADA)

Work

Onboard 5–10 orgs (LATAM/Africa/Asia) via 3-step method.

Launch 4 training modules (SDGs, H&S, Documentation, Environment) and badge system.

Regional coordination, translations, support; monthly reporting.

People

Ana: project lead & reporting

Delfina: training content & verifier guidance (PEN)

Cristian: community, badges, comms

Faezeh: learning library & materials

Trym: UX iterations; Udai/AIQUANT: fixes & scaling

Third-party & Tools

Open-source LMS, translators/legal adapters, MeshJS (custodial/sponsored tx).

Outputs

5+ orgs live with profiles; on-chain credentials; ≥10 verified credits minted; badges issued; monthly updates.

Milestone 4 — Final Report & Impact Video (5,000 ADA)

Work

Compile KPIs, lessons, budget reconciliation; publish impact video; host virtual showcase.

People

Ana (reporting), Cristian (video/comms), team (Q&A).

Third-party & Tools

Streaming/recording, basic video editing.

Outputs

Final report, public video, forum post with links; webinar recording.

Cross-cutting resources (already included above)

Project management: weekly sprints, milestones, risk log.

Documentation: README, Quickstart, OpenAPI/JSON Schemas, contract specs; docs site via MkDocs.

Security & compliance: secret management, GDPR, ISO 9001 mapping; logging/monitoring on Google Cloud.

Open source (Apache-2.0): CIP-68 contracts, schemas, basic verifier UI; GitHub from day one.

Proprietary: Plastiks core backend; AI services hosted on Google Cloud.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

This proposal delivers a high-impact, low-risk, and deeply strategic use of Catalyst funds, designed to activate real-world adoption, verifiable data, and lasting infrastructure within the Cardano ecosystem.

The requested 100,000 ADA has been carefully allocated to deliver concrete, traceable outputs across smart contract deployment, AI verification integration, regional onboarding pilots, training infrastructure, and public reporting. This budget covers:

• 6 months of development and operations across 3 continents
• 5–10 real organizations onboarded through a full Cardano-native process
• 10+ credentialed smart contract transactions and credit issuances
• A scalable community and training layer with direct user interaction
• A global event and verifier accreditation workshop to consolidate engagement

We have based our cost estimates on standard EU freelance rates and market references from the tech-for-impact sector. For example:

• Technical blockchain work (Plutus, smart contract QA): €60–90/hour
• AI & OCR development: €3,000–5,000 per module (based on Astrafy’s past deployments)
• Content & training design: €1,500–3,000 per curriculum block
• Regional coordination and user support: €1,000–2,000/month per country

These rates are aligned with Spanish freelance norms and ISO consulting contracts, and represent efficient deployment of Catalyst funding, particularly considering the number of users and volume of on-chain activity we will generate.

Importantly, this is not exploratory R&D (Research and Development): the Plastiks platform is already live, our methodology is already field-tested, and the grant will be used to connect these verified processes to Cardano in a measurable and scalable way.

This proposal represents exceptional value for money because it:

• Converts proven Web2 processes into Cardano-native infrastructure
• Generates measurable, verifiable, and purpose-driven transaction volume
• Onboards users from regions and industries that are often left out of blockchain
• Builds a global and reusable system for identity, traceability, and sustainability

We are not only growing Cardano adoption, we are building trust, visibility, and long-term impact for the ecosystem, efficiently and transparently.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes