COMMUNITY REUSE AND EXCHANGE HUB FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD ITEM SHARING

Abstract

The System is a web-based application designed to promote sustainable living and strengthen community collaboration by enabling local residents to share, exchange, and reuse unused household items. In today’s consumer-driven society, many usable items are discarded prematurely, leading to increased waste and environmental impact. This system addresses the problem by providing a digital platform where individuals can connect within their neighborhood to efficiently redistribute resources. The application is developed using React.js for the frontend to deliver a responsive, user-friendly interface and Django Representational State Transfer (REST) Framework for the backend to handle business logic, authentication, and secure data processing. A My Structured Query Language (MySQL) database is used for reliable storage and management of user information, items, and request records. The system follows a role-based access model consisting of Admin and User roles. New users must register and wait for admin approval to ensure platform authenticity and safety. Once approved, users can add items they wish to share, browse items posted by others, and send item requests. Item owners have full control to approve or reject incoming requests. Upon approval, the requester is granted access to the owner’s contact details, ensuring privacy and controlled communication. Administrators are responsible for approving users, monitoring listed items, and removing inappropriate or inactive entries. The platform emphasizes transparency, data integrity, and ease of use while preventing duplicate requests and unauthorized access. By encouraging reuse over disposal, the System contribute to waste reduction, resource optimization, and stronger neighborhood engagement. The system demonstrates a practical implementation of full-stack web development principles while addressing real-world environmental and social challenges.