Ανάπτυξη και αξιολόγηση εφαρμογής μείωσης απορριμμάτων τροφίμων
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Keywords
Απόβλητα τροφίμων ; Εφαρμογή για κινητά ; Ανάπτυξη Android ; Βιωσιμότητα ; Οικονομία κοινής χρήσηςAbstract
Food waste is a major global issue, with significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. Greece, like many other countries, faces substantial food waste at both household and community levels. This thesis presents the development and evaluation of an Android application designed to reduce food waste by facilitating product exchange among individuals. The application enables users to list surplus food items they do not need and connect with others willing to take them, fostering a sustainable sharing economy.
The methodology employed in this study follows an agile development approach, ensuring iterative improvements based on user feedback. The application was developed using Java in Android Studio, with a user-friendly interface designed to maximize accessibility. The backend architecture integrates a lightweight database for efficient data storage, and security measures were implemented to ensure user privacy.
The development process involved several key steps:
User Needs Assessment – Identifying key requirements through surveys and interviews.
System Design – Creating the architecture, UI/UX design, and database structure.
Implementation – Coding the application using Java, integrating features such as item listings, geolocation-based matching, and notifications.
Testing and Evaluation – Conducting usability tests, gathering feedback, and refining features to improve user experience and effectiveness.
The evaluation results indicate that users found the application intuitive, effective, and beneficial in reducing food waste. Performance tests confirmed the app's efficiency in handling real-time exchanges, and feedback from users suggested high engagement potential. However, challenges such as user adoption rates and logistical barriers were identified as areas for future improvement.
This research contributes to the field of sustainable technology and mobile applications for social impact, offering a practical solution to food waste reduction through technology-driven sharing practices. Future enhancements could include machine learning-based recommendations for food exchange and partnerships with local organizations to expand the platform's reach.