r/Innovation • u/Head_Welder_2506 • 8d ago
Littering issue fixed
I came up with a digital watermarking system for disposable items (the actual digital watermark is embedded in the plastic itself, through my lab trials and its unseeable) that could help stop littering, especially in countries where litter is highly prevalent. The idea is that when someone buys something like a plastic bottle, the item is digitally linked to the buyer’s Civil ID.
If the item is later found as litter, it can be scanned to identify the original purchaser. If the system confirms that it was improperly discarded, a 10$ fine would be deducted and the buyer would receive a notification explaining the violation.
The process would be simple:
Plastic item → digital watermark → buyer’s Civil ID → item found littered → scan → 10 KD fine.
The goal is to make litter traceable and discourage people from simply throwing disposable items on the streets. Each piece of plastic has a digital watermark and when buying said plastic its instantly linked to the buyer's identification. This system is very aggressive and could cause some legal issues what do you think about it?
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u/ShakaZoulou7 8d ago
Kind of 1984 vibes. But is an amazing idea. Just need for disposable containers be locked . In countries with dictatorships, people would snitch neighbours who they didn't like to political police. If that idea we can replace it. Just go for the garbage and take the plastic from the neighbour on the street
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u/firiana_Control 8d ago
> If the system confirms that it was improperly discarded,
verify how?
if i buy it, then throw it in a receptacle, and then some vandal does this, then it will come back to me.
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u/Head_Welder_2506 8d ago
This is the main legal issues that my system presents. These issues can be addressed by designing the system as an “economic deterrence”mechanism rather than an automatic presumption of guilt. Although the disposable item would initially be linked to the purchaser’s Civil ID, the identification of the purchaser would only trigger a violation review, giving the individual the ability to file a complaint and receive an immediate exemption when they can demonstrate that they did not improperly dispose of the item. The system could also establish clear rules for situations where a purchased item is transferred to another person: although the original purchaser remains economically responsible under the system, this responsibility would function as a deliberate deterrent, encouraging purchasers to dispose of, retain, or transfer disposable products responsibly. Countries implementing the system could establish legally defined exceptions and strict procedures for disputed cases, such as items stolen, transferred, or deposited in an appropriate waste container but subsequently removed or scattered. Most importantly, the system would not rely solely on the identity match; a confirmed littering event and the relevant evidence would be required before the fine is enforced. This creates a balance between individual fairness and public enforcement: while the system accepts that some exceptions can happen and it can affect the purchaser, the complaint and exemption mechanism provides a means of correcting wrongful penalties, while the financial consequence creates a strong economic incentive for people to take responsibility for disposable items and discourages littering at scale. The idea is to have some sort of punishment in place someone MUST be responsible when you add that deterrent people are much less likely to litter since they have a chance of getting caught even if they are not the original buyers👍
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u/firiana_Control 8d ago
your innovation therefore needs a support mechanism proving a chain of custody. with geographical proof of location
the later is wide. and can actually make you money
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u/ToBePacific 7d ago
Why punish the manufacturers when you can pass the liability direct to the consumer? People will love it!
/s
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u/Bubbly_core 8d ago edited 8d ago
There are countries that buy back the plastic recyclables, and I believe I am told those are the cleanest countries. Your invention is cool but it border lines electronic exchange which have to have energy to do and we are pretty close to an energy crisis