Inspiration
The inspiration behind the project was our shared passion to encourage sustainability by minimizing overconsumption. We realized that people purchase many items, especially everyday items, only to use them once or twice.
Research shows that overconsumption is a significant factor of climate change, which is undoubtedly one of the most pressing issues of our world today. Overproduction and overconsumption add to the already-high levels of pollution and toxic gases that contribute to global warming. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the production and consumption of goods and services account for approximately 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In a recent paper, extending the life of clothing by just nine months through activities like reselling, swapping, or donating can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by around 20-30% each. Additionally, if everyone in the UK alone bought one used item of clothing instead of new pieces each year, it would save the equivalent of carbon emissions from taking over half a million cars off the road for a year.
Our web app makes it convenient for people who have underused items lying around but just aren't ready to let them go. The platform also helps people who need a quick and affordable solution to a temporary problem, which also happens to be sustainable!
What it does
Our web application connects people looking to rent out their underutilized items to each other for a fee. It creates an opportunity for people to make extra income from their possessions, while also providing a convenient way for others to access items they may not want to purchase outright or may only need for a limited time.
The web app allows users to create a profile and list their available items, such as tools, cameras, sporting equipment, musical instruments, clothing, and more. In addition, our platform allows users to filter location by proximity to find the closest match for their needs.
How we built it
To begin building our backend code using Python, we created a database using SQLite so that the web app could use geolocation to attain the location of the user. In addition, the SQLite database stores information on the user and their respective location.
For the frontend code, we used React to build an engaging and user-friendly web app for quick use.
Challenges we ran into
As beginners to programming, we experienced a steep learning curve to write the backend code for our web app. We did not have any prior experience in creating databases and using SQLite. In addition, it was difficult to divide tasks among group members, as we all carry a diverse range of skills.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
What we’re most proud of is how we were able to learn how SQLite databases work in a short period of time and implement it into our project as well. Rather than simply watching tutorials on SQLite, putting it to use first-hand and learning how to overcome errors is extremely effective and enhanced our understanding.
We had many low points and "rock bottom" moments during these 36 hours. Learning at such a fast pace can be quite overwhelming and tedious. Particularly as beginners with high expectations who strive for excellence, we had to make many compromises to meet our goals. Although this was discouraging, with the help of the mentors and the internet, we stuck through and are proud to have been able to submit a project!
What we learned
We learned that creating an amazing web app requires a great deal of perseverance, persistence, and patience. We had the opportunity to work with a new programming language called SQL. Through this experience, we learned about the fundamental principles and concepts of databases and how they operate. Specifically, we learned how SQL can be used to interact with databases, including how to create and manipulate tables, retrieve data, and perform queries.
We also had the opportunity to learn about web development and user interface (UI) design. We learned about the principles of web development, including how to build and deploy web applications and websites using front-end and back-end technologies. Through this experience, we gained knowledge in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are essential for creating user-friendly websites. We also learned about UI design principles, such as color theory, typography, and layout, which are important for creating visually appealing and effective interfaces.
What's next for OneNightStand
In the future, our app can provide a rating and review system to ensure accountability and trust between renters and owners, and may offer insurance or other protections for both parties. In addition, we would like to include a chat system within our platform for renters and owners to communicate. Perhaps renters would like to see photos of the item they wish to rent before paying the fee, so we hope to also include a system for users to send photos of the rented items to each other. Finally, we would like to create a more advanced UI using React, to make our web app more visually appealing and interesting.
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