🌱 EcoCart - Environmental Impact Browser Extension

Won "🌱 Best AI for Environmental Impact" in AGI Ventures Canada's Hackathon 3.0

EcoCart is an innovative browser extension that helps users make environmentally conscious shopping decisions by analyzing products and suggesting sustainable alternatives. Built with AI-powered environmental impact assessment, EcoCart transforms your shopping experience into a force for positive environmental change.

🌟 Features

🔍 Smart Environmental Analysis

• EcoScore Rating: AI-powered environmental impact scoring from 1.0 (worst) to 5.0 (best)
• Real-time Product Assessment: Instant analysis of products on Amazon and other supported sites

🛒 Intelligent Alternative Suggestions

• AI-Powered Search: Find environmentally friendlier alternatives using advanced web search
• Amazon Integration: Seamless integration with Amazon's global marketplaces
• Price Comparison: Compare prices alongside environmental impact
• Image Preview: Visual product previews with automatic image extraction

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Python 3.8+
• Node.js (for frontend development)
• OpenAI API key

Backend Setup

1. Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/VanBaNguyen/EcoCart.git
   cd EcoCart/backend

2. Install dependencies

   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Environment Configuration Create a .env file in the backend directory:

   OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_api_key_here
   OPENAI_MODEL=gpt-4o-mini
   PORT=5057

4. Start the backend server

   python app.py

   The API will be available at http://localhost:5057

Frontend Setup (Browser Extension)

1. Navigate to frontend directory

   cd ../frontend

2. Load the extension

   • Firefox: Open about:debugging, click "This Firefox", then "Load Temporary Add-on" and select manifest.json

3. Configure permissions The extension will request permissions for:

   • Active tab access (to read current page)
   • Local storage (for cart persistence)
   • Backend API access (for environmental analysis)

📱 Usage

Basic Workflow

1. Navigate to Amazon: Visit any Amazon product page
2. Open EcoCart: Click the EcoCart extension icon
3. View EcoScore: See the environmental impact rating (1.0-5.0)
4. Find Alternatives: If score < 3.0, click "Find Eco Alternatives"
5. Browse Options: Swipe through sustainable alternatives
6. Build Cart: Add preferred items to your eco-friendly cart
7. Shop Responsibly: Make informed environmental choices

EcoScore Interpretation

• 🟢 4.0-5.0: Highly sustainable (durable materials, long lifespan, minimal waste)
• 🟡 3.0-3.9: Mixed/unknown materials, partial recyclability, average footprint
• 🔴 1.0-2.9: Predominantly single-use plastic, limited recyclability, short lifespan

🛠️ API Endpoints

/health (GET)

Health check endpoint for backend connectivity.

/search (POST)

Find environmentally friendly alternatives for products or topics.

{
  "query": "sustainable water bottles",
  "product": {
    "name": "Product Name",
    "link": "https://amazon.com/product-url"
  },
  "limit": 5,
  "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
}

/judge (POST)

Assess environmental impact of a specific product.

{
  "product": {
    "name": "Product Name",
    "link": "https://amazon.com/product-url"
  },
  "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
}

/image-proxy (GET)

Proxy service for product images to avoid CORS issues.

GET /image-proxy?url=https://example.com/image.jpg

🧪 Testing

Backend Tests

cd backend
python test_judge_paper_straw_low.py
python test_search.py

Frontend Testing

• Test on various Amazon product pages
• Verify cart persistence across browser sessions
• Check image loading and proxy functionality

🌱 Environmental Impact

EcoCart promotes sustainable shopping by:

• Reducing Plastic Waste: Encouraging reusable and biodegradable alternatives
• Supporting Sustainable Brands: Highlighting companies with environmental certifications
• Educating Consumers: Providing transparent environmental impact information
• Promoting Circular Economy: Favoring products with longer lifespans and recyclability

🔧 Development

Project Structure

EcoCart/
├── backend/
│   ├── app.py              # Flask API server
│   ├── requirements.txt    # Python dependencies
│   └── test_*.py          # Backend tests
├── frontend/
│   ├── manifest.json      # Browser extension manifest
│   ├── popup.html         # Extension popup interface
│   ├── popup.css          # Styling and animations
│   ├── popup.js           # Extension logic and API integration
│   └── scraping/          # Web scraping utilities
└── README.md              # This file

Key Technologies

• Backend: Flask, OpenAI API, BeautifulSoup, Requests
• Frontend: Vanilla JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3
• AI Models: GPT-5 for environmental analysis
• Storage: Browser extension local storage API

🏆 Hackathon Goals

Target Achievement: "🌱 Best AI for Environmental Impact"

EcoCart demonstrates how AI can be harnessed to create meaningful environmental change by:

• Making sustainability accessible to everyday consumers
• Leveraging AI for real-time environmental impact assessment
• Creating an engaging, educational shopping experience
• Promoting conscious consumption and waste reduction

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Built with ❤️ for a sustainable future

EcoCart - Where every purchase is a vote for the planet 🌍