Gamifying litter cleanup: How a new initiative in Ontario is turning trash into cash [Video]

An Ontario environmental charity is the first in North America to partner with an app that gamifies helping the environment.

Georgian Bay Forever, an environmental charity that works to conserve, protect and restore the aquatic ecosystems of Georgian Bay, has partnered with LitterLotto, an app that offers users the chance to win money by cleaning up litter.

While organizers say the app can be used anywhere for the chance to win a global cash prize of £500 (roughly $900) a month, Georgian Bay Forever is offering prizes for local cleanup efforts.

Those who pick up garbage locally can be entered in a draw to win $50 a week, or the £500 monthly global prize.

Using the app, people only need take pictures of themselves picking up trash outside and disposing of it in a public trash can to be entered for a chance to win. The app also uses artificial intelligence to try …