Odour Collect

OdourCollect is part of the EU’s D-NOSES network, a mobile/web app that lets citizens log real-time odour events (e.g., landfill smells, livestock emissions). Geo-tagged entries create “smell maps” that regulators and communities use to target methane hotspots. 

Problem addressed: Odour pollution from multiple sources like industry, agriculture or waste sites is under-monitored yet linked to potent greenhouse gases like methane. Traditional methods miss episodic events. OdourCollect delivers fine-grained temporal data on odour peaks, community validation of nuisance claims, and evidence base for emission reduction policies. 

SDGs: 3 (Good Health), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 13 (Climate Action) 

Relevance for climate action: Pinpoints methane emission hotspots for targeted capture or process improvements. Gives affected communities a tool to advocate for cleaner practices. 

Real-world pilots: Reporting of odours in the London Borough of Ealing (UK).

How it works:

1. Users report odour intensity, source type, and location via app. 
2. Data is publicly visualised on an interactive map. 
3. Local authorities integrate maps into enforcement actions and policy reviews. 

Resources:

• The OdourCollect Teaching Unit and Student Resources is an educational proposal designed for secondary school teachers to introduce citizen science into the classroom. Students engage in investigating, categorising, and mapping local smells, generating and analysing data to better understand and address odour pollution issues.

Developer: Science for Change 

Website: https://odourcollect.eu | https://dnoses.eu 

Other related projects:

• NasApp monitors, manages and predicts odour episodes in real-time by combining science, artificial intelligence and advanced technology.