Internship Report on Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

I. Introduction:

The internship at Akanthas provided a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable development goals through the development and implementation of innovative solutions in waste management. Akanthas, founded by experts in process engineering, data science, and energy engineering, focuses on optimizing the collection and sorting of industrial waste through digital solutions, integrating IoT and artificial intelligence.

II. Context and Challenges in Waste Management:

Akanthas addresses critical challenges in the waste management sector, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

  1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Akanthas aims to create more sustainable urban environments by optimizing waste collection, reducing inefficiencies, and enhancing recycling practices.

  2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: By digitalizing waste production, Akanthas contributes to responsible consumption and production, enabling businesses to visualize and optimize their waste operations for optimal recovery and recycling.

  3. SDG 13: Climate Action: Akanthas recognizes the environmental impact of inefficient waste management, targeting a reduction in CO2 emissions by optimizing waste collection and reducing the amount of unvalorized waste.

III. Internship Activities and Contribution:

During the internship, I actively participated in three key activities that contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals:

  1. API Integration for Connected Cameras:
    • Contribution to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Developing queries on connected cameras’ API supports the infrastructure needed for the automation of waste management, fostering innovation in the industry.
  2. Image Data Management Architecture:
    • Contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land: The development and maintenance of an image data management architecture contribute to sustainable land use by optimizing waste operations and reducing the environmental impact of unsorted waste.
  3. Inference on Cloud-based AI Models:
    • Contribution to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: Setting up inference on the cloud for AI models aligns with the goal of clean energy by optimizing waste collection processes, leading to more efficient energy use.

IV. Conclusion:

The internship at Akanthas provided a valuable experience to contribute directly to sustainable development goals, particularly in the realm of waste management. The innovative approach of digitalizing waste production and optimizing operations from the source reflects a commitment to creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Through my engagement in API integration, image data management, and cloud-based AI model inference, I played a crucial role in advancing Akanthas’ mission to tackle the inefficiencies in waste collection and contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable waste management sector.

This internship has not only enhanced my technical skills but has also instilled a deeper understanding of how technology and innovation can drive positive change in addressing global challenges outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.