I walked an hour for 30 cents: Gemma plans litter walks that end at a deposit machine

Description and use

Return Route plans litter‑collection walks that end at a deposit machine, generating a voucher for the refund. The author walked an hour in Galway, collected 8 items, and earned €0.30.

Problem

People want to walk outside and earn deposit refunds by collecting litter, but lack a simple way to plan routes that maximize returns and end at a deposit machine.

Outcome

In a real walk in east Galway, the author collected 8 pieces of litter, 2 of which were valid deposits, earning a €0.30 voucher. The app’s estimated range was €1.05–€3.85, showing the tool’s conservative prediction.

Workflow

• Pick a walk duration and optional notes
• Gemma (the planner) generates a loop through likely litter spots and a deposit machine
• The app gives a range of possible earnings
• Walk following the Google Maps route while the app stays in the background
• Return to the starting point and take a photo of the haul
• Gemma counts containers, identifies non‑depositable items, and prints an itemised voucher
• Choose to keep the money or donate via Walk for a cause

Evidence

Return Route turns that into a reason to go outside: Pick how long you've got… Gemma plans a loop…

Source

I photographed the haul. The laptop tier failed first, because the laptop was at home. The cloud tier read it: 2 cans, deposit mark not visible, the crushed cans and the bottle struck off.

Source

The Re-turn machine took 2 cans. Voucher: €0.30.

Source