One of the biggest challenges many foreign residents face in Japan is waste sorting.
Rules vary by municipality, are often very detailed, and in most cases, information is only available in Japanese.
For example, PET bottles must have the cap and label removed, and even items like chopsticks or paper waste are handled differently depending on the city.

EcoNavi was developed to support foreign residents in Japan who struggle with these complex, Japan-specific rules.
Simply take a photo of your trash with your smartphone, and the AI will identify the item and show the correct sorting method according to your local regulations.

“Make life in Japan easier, and kinder to the environment.” — that is EcoNavi’s mission.

• 🤖 AI Image Recognition
  Instantly identifies PET bottles, batteries, aluminum cans, and more (powered by Google Gemini API).

• 📍 Region-Specific Rules
  Supports all municipalities across Japan and displays sorting rules based on your location.

• 🗺️ Easy Location Setup

  • Enter municipality name (with autocomplete)
  • Automatically detect location via GPS

• 🔗 Official Resources
  Direct access to your municipality’s official waste sorting guide.

• 📱 User-Friendly Design
  A simple UI, easy to use even with limited Japanese skills.

• Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• CSS Framework: Tailwind CSS
• AI / Machine Learning: Google Gemini API (for image recognition)
• Geolocation: HeartRails Geo API (for reverse geocoding)
• Product Data: Open Food Facts API (for barcode lookup)
• Barcode Scanning: QuaggaJS (client-side library)

1. Visit: https://makersuite.google.com/app/apikey
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Enable the Generative Language API
4. Click "Create API Key"
5. Copy your API key

To use the AI-powered image recognition feature, you’ll need a Google Gemini API key.

Click the “API Key Settings” button at the bottom of the app to open the setup screen.
Paste your API key into the input field and click “Save”.

If you attempt to use the image recognition feature without setting an API key, the setup screen will open automatically.

Note: Your API key is securely stored in your browser’s local storage and is never shared externally.
You can update or clear your API key anytime from the settings screen.

• HTML5
• CSS3
• JavaScript (ES6+)

1. Open index.html in your browser.
2. Set your municipality manually, or use the “Detect Current Location” button.
3. Upload or drag & drop a photo of the item you want to sort.
4. The AI will recognize the item and display the correct sorting method based on your local rules.

• Integration with garbage collection calendars
• Push notification reminders for disposal days
• Improved AI accuracy and support for more item categories
• Supports various languages

Many foreign residents in Japan face challenges such as:

• Different rules depending on the municipality
• Instructions often only in Japanese
• Mistakes can result in complaints from neighbors or uncollected trash

EcoNavi was created to eliminate these difficulties.
It aims to be not only a life support tool for foreign residents but also an app that contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.

To make waste sorting not only easier but also fun and rewarding, EcoNavi now includes a gamified Eco Points system and a customizable Theme Store.

Earn points for eco-friendly actions within the app:

Your total Eco Points are displayed in the app header and stored safely in your browser via localStorage.

Redeem your points for seasonal background themes, each beautifully designed to match Japan’s four seasons.

Once purchased, themes are applied instantly and saved for future sessions.
Access the Theme Store anytime from the “Point Store” button in the footer menu.

• Points, purchased items, and selected themes are managed using localStorage.
• All gamification logic is implemented in a dedicated file (gamification.js), minimizing changes to existing code.
• The store appears as a modal window, seamlessly integrated with the existing UI design.

💡 EcoNavi now helps users live sustainably — and enjoy doing it through a simple, rewarding experience.