Last updated 2 months ago
Lack of a transparent, traceable system to segregate and monetize waste at community level: hindering incentives, accountability, and EPR readiness in Armenian cities and communities.
Plastiks, with Armenia’s government and UNDP, implements a Cardano-based system to tokenize, trace, and monetize waste, creating incentives and transparent data for communities and compliance.
This is the total amount allocated to Armenia- Country Level Waste System with Plastiks.io.
Please provide your proposal title
Armenia- Country Level Waste System with Plastiks.io
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
280000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
4
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Lack of a transparent, traceable system to segregate and monetize waste at community level: hindering incentives, accountability, and EPR readiness in Armenian cities and communities.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
Yes
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
The successful delivery of this pilot project relies on active collaboration with a set of strategic and operational partners, each providing critical capabilities across environmental, technical, and institutional domains. These dependencies are key to ensuring the credibility, scalability, and real-world utility of the project. UNDP Armenia (Institutional Anchor) UNDP Armenia is the primary institutional partner supporting the implementation of the pilot. Their role is essential for: Facilitating relationships with local municipalities and landfill operators Coordinating with national regulatory authorities on EPR policy alignment Assisting in community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and educational campaigns Supporting the onboarding of informal waste workers and cooperatives Emurgo (Blockchain Infrastructure and Integration) As a founding entity of the Cardano ecosystem, Emurgo will play a crucial role in: Providing the technical layer to ensure seamless integration of Cardano-native tools Supporting the design and deployment of smart contracts for NFTs and verification workflows Enabling secure data anchoring, NFT minting, and wallet compatibility with the Plastiks platform Advising on Cardano scalability, performance optimization, and long-term ecosystem integration Local Waste Operators (Pilot Implementation Partners) Three local waste management entities including a landfill operator, a collector, and a recycler will be onboarded and accredited via Plastiks' three-step methodology. Their collaboration is critical for: Supplying accurate, timestamped, and geolocated data for verification Operating in compliance with Plastiks' data standards and ISO-aligned methodology Participating in traceability pilots and ensuring physical flow alignment with digital certificates Private Sector Partners (Project Financing and ESG Engagement) Partnerships with companies such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola or their future Armenian PROs are essential for: Covering the cost of onboarding and platform licensing for local waste actors Creating a real ESG use case by sponsoring the monetization of Plastic Credits Validating a private-public hybrid model for EPR implementation through Cardano Local Technical and Civic Organizations To ensure platform localization, regulatory compliance, and adoption at scale, the project depends on: Local legal and civic tech support for EPR draft compliance and policy integration Translation and adaptation services for multilingual access to app.plastiks.io Grassroots engagement from NGOs, youth programs, and environmental groups Cardano Ecosystem Tools and Community The pilot leverages Cardano-native services and developer contributions, relying on: APIs, wallet integrations, and marketplace tooling provided by ecosystem partners Participation from the Catalyst community for feedback, replication, and adoption Reuse of open-source elements and co-development opportunities with other ReFi and civic tech teams
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
No
License and Additional Information
Intellectual Property and Open Source Note
This project is not open source. All technology, platform infrastructure, methodology, and verification processes used in this initiative are the exclusive intellectual property (IP) of Nozama Tech Ltd. This includes the Plastiks platform, accreditation modules, verification protocols, and partly blockchain integration logic . Any replication or adaptation of the system requires formal permission from Nozama Tech Ltd.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Tokenization
Describe your established collaborations.
Plastiks in collaboration with Armenia government & UNDP implement a Cardano based system to tokenize, trace, and monetize waste segregation, creating financial incentives and transparent data for communities and compliance.
Describe funding commitments.
This project requests 280,000 ADA to deliver a verified waste traceability pilot in rural Armenia using the existing Plastiks platform and Cardano blockchain. It includes multilingual onboarding, in-app accreditation, Cardano smart contracts, and real-time dashboards. No external contractors needed. Field visits ensure quality and cooperation with UNDP. Budget includes accreditation of 3 entities and enables future EPR-aligned co-financing by brands like Pepsi or Coca-Cola. All tools will be open source.
Describe your key performance metrics.
3 entities accredited, 100,000 kg of plastic waste recovered, 50,000–100,000 NFTs issued on Cardano, 10,000+ citizens engaged, 20,000 people indirectly impacted, 250,000+ on-chain transactions, 12,000+ new wallets created, multilingual onboarding and in-app accreditation deployed, 1 pilot model for EPR compliance, partnership with at least 1 major brand (e.g. Pepsi or Coca-Cola) to fund verified recovery.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Resulting from Plastiks´s participation in the SDG Blockchain Accelerator, co-led by EMURGO Labs and UNDP, our solution is to deploy a blockchain-based system that enables the tokenization, traceability, and monetization of waste segregation activities at the community level in Armenia, starting with a pilot in two small communities in Armenia, specifically in Sevan and Hrazdan when an total of 40,000 people will be involved, respectively 20,000 people in each community.
Through a partnership between UNDP Armenia and Plastiks, we will implement a three-part framework:
Citizens and waste providers who properly sort and deliver materials (plastic, paper, glass) will receive digital tokens (NFTs) as proof of environmental impact. These tokens will be traceable on-chain and can be monetized through sponsorships, marketplaces, or corporate purchases.
Local waste actors (collectors, recyclers) will be accredited through a standardized process including documentation, operational evidence, and blockchain-based verification, ensuring integrity and data reliability.
Each verified kilogram of waste will generate an NFT certificate with metadata including provider details, location, material type, and validation. These certificates serve as both proof of impact and financial tools, aligned with upcoming EPR regulation and SDG targets.
As part of this initiative, we also plan to develop an integrated accreditation module within the Plastiks app to replace the current reliance on external tools like JotForm. The outcome of development of an integrated accreditation module would be a module that is customizable to local culture and language. This feature will provide a secure and user-friendly workflow for documentation, data collection, and evidence submission: directly linked to user profiles and token issuance.
This shift from third-party storage to our own secure database brings several key advantages:
With support from the Cardano ecosystem, we aim to ensure that all accreditation data is secure, verifiable, and auditable. The repository of accredited information will live on-chain or be anchored to the Cardano blockchain: enhancing trust, automation, and long-term data integrity across all stakeholders.
The project will entail onboarding to the blockchain the following organizations:
Type: Source separated waste and aggregator. Residual garbage collection and landfilling operator.
Brief Description: An intermunicipal company owned by 16 municipalities in Kotayk and Gegharkunik provinces. It operates source-separated and mixed residual waste collection, performs secondary sorting of pre-sorted waste, and functions as a waste aggregator. Began operations on July 8, 2025.
Type: Source separated waste collector and aggregator
Brief Description: ISSD organizes sorted collection of recyclable waste in several semi-rural communities of Armenia. They partner with public organizations, including ministries, municipalities, schools, and kindergartens, to collect recyclables. The collected waste is aggregated, baled, and sold to recycling companies. Recently, ISSD launched a pilot Deposit Return System (DRS) using reverse vending machines.
Type: Voluntary Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).
Brief Description: Officially registered in December 2024, ArmPack is a PRO pilot initiative established by Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia, PepsiCo Armenia, and Pernod Ricard Armenia. Started pilot operations in May 2025 to test and implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging waste. Works with partners to organize collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging materials, supporting the development of Armenia’s EPR system.
A recycling company in Armenia will also be onboarded to establish the benchmarks for all recycling companies in Armenia.
This infrastructure will be localized for waste managers, collection organizations, and plastic segregation stakeholders in Armenia. It will include UNDP-branded dashboards in both Armenian and English for transparent reporting and provide open APIs for integration with national EPR systems. Over time, it will serve as the foundation for a national-level impact marketplace.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This project will deliver meaningful and measurable impact to the wider Cardano community by establishing a blockchain-powered waste traceability and impact certification system in Armenia, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 focusing on Sustainable Communities, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By focusing on plastic segregation, verified recovery, and digital environmental certification, the project creates a real-world utility case for Cardano that merges environmental regeneration, economic inclusion, and decentralized technology.
Value to the Cardano Ecosystem:
How Impact Will Be Measured
Quantitative KPIs (Year 1, Pilot Phase in Armenia):
Qualitative Outcomes:
Sharing Outputs with the Community:
All project output: technical, operational, and strategic will be publicly shared through:
This initiative showcases how Cardano can become the blockchain of choice for national-level environmental certification and community-driven sustainability systems. By anchoring real-world impact to Cardano, we increase network adoption, showcase innovative public-good use cases, and build a replicable, scalable model for digital sustainability infrastructure.
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?
Credibility, Technical Capacity, and Strategic Partnerships
Plastiks has already developed and deployed a fully functional blockchain-based platform for environmental impact verification, currently operating in over 15 countries with verified plastic recovery activities. Our system includes real-time dashboards, NFT certification, project-level traceability, and an integrated marketplace for monetizing environmental impact. This infrastructure will be adapted and localized for Armenia, with full multilingual support on app.plastiks.io to ensure accessibility for Armenian-speaking users, waste actors, and institutional stakeholders.
Proven Capacity to Deliver
Strengthening Our Technical Delivery with Ecosystem Partners
To reinforce our technical capabilities and maximize value to the Cardano ecosystem, we are partnering with the following Web3 and blockchain-native organizations:
AIQUANT: A Cardano-aligned development company with a team of 20+ engineers, currently delivering key innovations such as satellite oracles and predictive analytics. AIQUANT will support backend development, system optimization, and blockchain scalability during this pilot.
MeshJS: We plan to implement custodial wallets and sponsored transaction flows using MeshJS. This will allow non-crypto-native users, especially informal waste workers, to interact with the blockchain without needing prior wallet setup or ADA gas fees.
(More: web3.meshjs.dev)
These partnerships ensure that our implementation is not only technically sound, but also aligned with Cardano’s broader innovation agenda, ReFi vision, and social impact goals.
Pilot Validation and Public Accountability
In collaboration with UNDP Armenia, we will carry out a localized pilot in Yerevan, structured to ensure measurable results and transparent public reporting:
All project milestones, blockchain records, and impact data will be made public to the Cardano community. This includes open-source tools, smart contracts, and knowledge resources that can be reused or adapted by other Catalyst-funded teams, NGOs, or government partners seeking to replicate this model.
Milestone Title
Technical Architecture, Localization Scoping, and Accreditation Module Design
Milestone Outputs
Define the technical foundations for the pilot. Scope and design the integrated accreditation module inside app.plastiks.io. Localize the user interface for Armenian waste actors and UNDP stakeholders. Establish the architecture for data anchoring on Cardano.
Accreditation module.
Cardano anchoring
User access roles and logic
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
1
Cost
55000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
Accreditation Module Implementation and Secure Data Integration
Milestone Outputs
Build and deploy the in-app accreditation flow with secure form functionality, document upload, and Cardano-based data anchoring. Replace reliance on external tools like JotForm. Ensure GDPR-compliant and auditable storage.
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
2
Cost
70000
Progress
50 %
Milestone Title
Onboarding of Waste Providers and Pilot Launch a small community of 20,000 people in Armenia.
Milestone Outputs
Onboard 2–10 waste actors from a small community of 20,000 people in Armenia into the platform via the new accreditation flow. Begin issuing the first traceable Waste Tokens and initiate real-world tracking of segregated material.
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
3
Cost
65000
Progress
70 %
Milestone Title
Marketplace Activation and Monetization of Waste Tokens
Milestone Outputs
Enable corporate or donor sponsors to purchase or pre-finance verified Waste Tokens. Launch token marketplace with Armenian-specific filters and build first reward/incentive cycle for local actors.
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
4
Cost
50000
Progress
90 %
Milestone Title
Final Report, Public Presentation, and Expansion Roadmap
Milestone Outputs
Conclude pilot with detailed reporting, live presentation, and roadmap for scale-up across Armenia. Collect final metrics and produce a transparent summary for Cardano and UNDP communities.
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
4
Cost
40000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
We are requesting a total of 280,000 ADA to cover the full cost of implementing the pilot project in a small community of 20,000 people in Armenia. This amount will fund platform development, blockchain integration, onboarding of waste actors, Cardano anchoring, reporting, and public outreach.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the budget by functional area:
1.Product Development & Engineering – 115,000 ADA
2. Verification, Accreditation & Environmental Methodology – 45,000 ADA
3. Reporting, Impact Dashboard & Transparency – 35,000 ADA
4. Communications, Community Engagement & Visibility – 25,000 ADA
5. Project Management, Coordination & Administration – 60,000 ADA
Milestone Tracking and Stakeholder Alignment
TOTAL REQUESTED: 280,000 ADA
Additional Notes:
Onsite verification activities, if needed, will be coordinated with UNDP Armenia and local waste actors to ensure integrity and proper environmental supervision of the pilot.
No external co-funding is required. Plastiks will cover any minor overages or internal platform maintenance.
All documentation, smart contracts, and impact reporting tools will be openly available for the Cardano community and public sector replicability.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
This project represents strong value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering a real-world, government-aligned use case for blockchain that introduces Cardano into public environmental infrastructure, with measurable impact, replicability, and direct community engagement.
Why this project is cost-efficient and impactful:
The total requested budget of 280,000 ADA covers the complete execution of a verified pilot in Yerevan: platform upgrades, blockchain integration, community onboarding, data verification, reporting, and communication. It includes both digital and operational deployment.
The entire project will be delivered by the Plastiks internal team and Aiquant, which includes experienced professionals in blockchain, product development, and environmental methodology. This ensures technical efficiency, continuity, and alignment with existing infrastructure, without relying on external development firms or inflated subcontracting.
The infrastructure and platform already exist, which significantly reduces foundational costs. The funding will be used to build and integrate new public components (e.g., the in-app accreditation system, Cardano anchoring, UNDP dashboards) that will remain available for future implementations.
The solution is designed to be modular and replicable, enabling future use in other UNDP-led city pilots or public recovery initiatives without the need for complete reengineering.
A small portion of the budget is reserved for field visits and onsite verification by Plastiks team members. These trips will reinforce cooperation with local partners, ensure the environmental integrity of the implementation, and strengthen the long-term relationship between Plastiks and UNDP Armenia.
There is no profit margin or overhead allocation in the budget. All resources are dedicated to tangible outputs, including open-source documentation, on-chain data, and reusable smart contracts.
In summary, this proposal offers high-impact infrastructure with a modest budget, executed by a trusted team, and positioned to demonstrate the power of Cardano in solving real-world environmental challenges. It maximizes transparency, leverages existing assets, and creates long-term value for both the blockchain ecosystem and public sector sustainability efforts.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
The project team consists of experienced professionals in sustainability, blockchain technology, product development, operations management, and environmental verification. All team members have confirmed their availability and are actively involved in the planning and execution of this proposal. The project is co-led by André Vanyi-Robin and Ana Aguilar Meca, combining strategic vision with operational execution. Below are the key team members, their profiles, and their specific responsibilities:
1. André Vanyi-Robin: Co-Lead, Founder & CEO at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrevanyirobin
Leads the strategic direction of the project and oversees high-level institutional partnerships, including collaboration with UNDP Armenia and relevant local stakeholders. André is responsible for connecting the initiative with global sustainability actors and supporting its visibility across ESG, circular economy, and blockchain ecosystems. He also leads investor outreach and long-term project sustainability strategy.
2. Ana Aguilar Meca: Co-Lead, COO at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anaaguilarmeca
Manages the project’s operational coordination and milestone execution. Ana leads stakeholder onboarding, budget oversight, compliance with quality systems (ISO 9001:2015), and documentation. She ensures methodological consistency in the accreditation of waste actors and the tokenization process. Ana also serves as the main liaison for coordinating with UNDP Armenia and verifying partner contributions.
3. Trym Lyngset: Chief Technology Officer at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trym-lyngset-27813268
Oversees the technical architecture of the Plastiks platform, including integration with Cardano for data anchoring and NFT issuance. Trym leads the backend team in implementing the in-app accreditation module and adapting the system for Armenian localization. He ensures that all components are secure, scalable, and interoperable with national systems if needed.
4. Cristian Alonso: Marketing Manager at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristianalonso
Leads the project’s communication strategy, storytelling, and coordination of awareness campaigns. Cristian is responsible for amplifying project milestones and success stories through Plastiks’ communication channels and partnerships. He will also support local visibility efforts in Armenia in collaboration with UNDP’s communication teams.
5. Delfina Achinelly: Head of Methodology and Verification at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/delfina-achinelly-47188633
Responsible for the design and validation of Plastiks’ environmental methodology and verification logic. Delfina ensures that the accreditation of waste actors and the traceability of segregation and recovery data follow consistent and auditable procedures. She works closely with technical and local teams to ensure the impact tokens reflect verified, transparent, and socially inclusive activity.
6. Estefania Brito: Quality Control & Administration at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/estefania-brito-9a2450267
Supports the operational validation of all accredited waste actors and ensures documentation and quality compliance. Estefania coordinates the internal review of evidence submitted through the accreditation flow and helps manage the traceability of actors onboarded during the pilot phase.
7. Cristina Escura Esteban: Designer at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinaescuraesteban/
Responsible for all visual assets and UI/UX design required to localize the Plastiks platform for Armenian users. Cristina supports the creation of onboarding interfaces for waste actors and institutional dashboards for UNDP Armenia, ensuring a simple, intuitive, and culturally adapted experience.
8. Faezeh Shafiee: Digital Content Specialist at Plastiks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/faeze-shafiee/
Develops educational and social content to communicate project milestones, community benefits, and impact metrics. Faezeh will support both local engagement in Armenia and international dissemination of results through visual storytelling and digital outreach.
UNDP Armenia will lead the coordination with local stakeholders, ensure alignment with national policy (especially EPR regulation), and support validation and dissemination. Their role includes:
Mobilizing local partners and municipalities
Supporting the pilot onboarding of waste actors
Facilitating integration with public policy and reporting frameworks
Leveraging institutional trust to scale nationally
https://www.linkedin.com/in/solanki/
Leads the technical development of the project’s blockchain integration, including the design, deployment, and auditing of Cardano-native smart contracts. With deep expertise in fintech, digital asset infrastructure, and scalable Web3 architectures, Udai ensures that all components, from token logic to dApp interoperability, are robust, secure, and future-proof. AIQUANT is a Cardano-focused development company with over 20 engineers. They are building advanced tools for Cardano, such as satellite oracles and analytics. For this project, they will:
Develop and maintain the backend system for registering waste recovery data
Help integrate our system with the Cardano blockchain
Ensure the platform runs efficiently and can scale in the future.
MeshJS makes it easier for users who are new to crypto. With their tools, we will:
Create simple wallets for users like waste workers, even if they have no blockchain experience
Let users interact with the platform without needing to pay ADA (sponsored transactions)
Provide a user-friendly and gas-free experience
This ensures that everyone can use the system, even without technical knowledge.