GarbMAS: Simulation of the application of gamification techniques to increase the amount of recycled waste through a multi-agent system

Abstract

The increase in population is increasing the growth of the number of residues. A large amount of this waste can be recycled so that it does not remain in uncontrolled landfills, pollute air, land or water. Although many campaigns and policies of recycling have been developed all-way there is not a total awareness about this problem and a large number of waste does not end up in the right place to be recycled. It is necessary to increase the amount of recycled waste and for this citizen participation is key. It is vital to involve the population in a more active way to recycle through some kind of social benefit. For this reason, GarbMAS proposes a system that generates a motivation for citizen participation by reducing the garbage tax applied by its local government. Thus, the increase in the amount of waste collected to be recycled is expected. GarbMAS employs a multi-agent system that simulates data collection and efficient waste management in cities through gamification techniques to produce the change motivation of citizens and therefore increase participation and recycled quantity. The case study in which the simulation was carried out showed an increase in citizen participation by 34.2% and an increase of 29.4% in the amount of waste collected.